Written question WQ96435
- Asked by
- Janet Finch-SaundersConservative
- To be answered by
- Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 7 days
Question
What steps is the Welsh Government taking to ensure that marine life is safeguarded during the development of the Awel y Môr windfarm scheme?
Answer
Answered by Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning
The size and scale of the offshore wind sites is not devolved to Wales. This responsibility lies with the Crown Estate England and Wales. It is for the Crown Estate to decide on how to share information on increasing the energy generation of Awel y Mor.
In 2013, the Welsh Ministers delegated certain marine licensing authority functions to NRW, namely the administration and determination of marine licence applications. The Welsh Ministers retains functions relating to appeals and enforcement.
Before determining any application for a marine licence, Natural Resources Wales carries out a thorough assessment of the proposed activity, including the consideration of the need to protect the marine environment and human health, as required by the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009.
The marine licensing process is one of the main tools for the sustainable management of Welsh waters helping ensures ecosystems are resilient and habitats and species of national and international importance are protected.
Awel y Mor is considered a development of National Significance and requires a Development Consent Order, and this process is not devolved to Wales.