ESB’s proposed Stoura Offshore Wind Farm project, located approximately 52km east of Shetland mainland, has reached a significant milestone with the submission of its Offshore Scoping Report and Habitat Regulation Appraisal (HRA) Screening report to the Marine Directorate. This marks an important step forward in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process for the project.
The purpose of the Scoping Report is to engage with stakeholders as part of the EIA process, inviting comment on the proposed approach and methodologies for the EIA and the potential positive and negative impacts associated with the Offshore Project, as set out in the Scoping Report.
“The submission of our Offshore Scoping Report is a key milestone for the Stoura Project” said Dr. Cian Desmond, Project Director at ESB.
“Since 2022, we have had the privilege of engaging directly with a number of stakeholders and Shetlanders through regular formal meetings, public consultation and stakeholder workshops. The insights gathered through these engagements have been invaluable in shaping our approach. We are keen to continue this open and constructive dialogue and see this consultation as another opportunity to help guide the project”.
Both the Stoura Offshore Scoping Report and the Habitat Regulation Appraisal (HRA) Screening Report can be viewed at the Marine Directorate website: https://marine.gov.scot/?q=node/26452
A separate scoping report addressing the onshore elements of the Stoura project will be prepared and submitted at a later stage.