Windfarm-TMZ

Closed 16 Oct 2019

Opened 4 Sep 2019

Contact

Seagreen.Radar@sse.com

Published responses

View submitted responses where consent has been given to publish the response.

Overview

This airspace change proposal (ACP) is sponsored by us, Seagreen Wind Energy Limited (SWEL), referred to in this consultation as the Developer or the Sponsor. 

We intend to develop an offshore wind farm in the North Sea.  Wind turbines can interfere with air traffic control radars, so we need to add an airspace structure known as a Transponder Mandatory Zone (TMZ) (for more details see paragraphs 3.3-3.8 in the Consultation document).  Other options were considered but this is the only viable current solution.

We are consulting in relation to the establishment of the TMZ, which is shown on the map below:

The windfarm is proposed to cover an area of approx. 400km2.  The proposed airspace change would include this entire area, with an additional 2 nautical mile (nm) buffer.  

This airspace is Class G uncontrolled, but with air traffic service (ATS) routes nearby (mainly used for Aberdeen Airport arrivals/departures) and a Danger Area located to the east, known as EGD613 (see Section 7).

The purpose of this consultation is for you, our stakeholders, to respond effectively to the information we have provided.  The Consultation document can be read in conjunction with the Consultation Strategy and Full Options Appraisal which outlines the consultation approach.

Why your views matter

We are seeking feedback from stakeholders who may be affected by the proposal.  Primarily this is likely to be users of the airspace and other aviation stakeholders.  Nonetheless we welcome feedback from any interested parties. 

You have the opportunity to provide relevant feedback, which may conflict with that of other stakeholders.  After the consultation has ended, we will consider all your feedback and then produce the final design proposal, which may differ from that described in this document.

The consultation begins on 4th September and ends on 16th October 2019.

The two options we are consulting on are:  

  • Do nothing – under this option planning consent condition would not be met, construction could not start, and the benefits of renewable energy would not be realised.
  • TMZ – this option would allow construction and the subsequent benefits.

Consultation Material (please download from the link in the Related section below)

 

 

What happens next

During consultation we will be gathering feedback from stakeholders and any interested parties. 

Responses will be analysed and themed.  Shortly after the consultation finishes we will publish a consultation feedback document, which will summarise the themes and Seagreen’s response to any issues raised. 

The feedback document will be available for download via the CAA portal.  Any new requirements identified will be considered in the on-going design process.  The ACP will detail the design being submitted and make reference to changes that have been made to take account of consultation feedback.