Abstract
RPS was commissioned by the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) to undertake work towards the development of a ‘Marine Renewable Energy Strategic Framework for Wales (MRESF). The project forms part of WAGs commitment to strong economic development combined with sustainable growth and prosperity. The work programme is broadly divided into three stages, with the current report describing the outputs from Stage 1. The outputs achieved during Stage 1 can be summarised as follows:
- To describe and, where possible, map in GIS the existing natural and human environmental baseline for Welsh waters (including the wind, wave and tidal resource);
- Determine current understanding of environmental impacts (potential and known);
- Identify development constraints; and
- Identification of the key constraints on development arising from information gaps, with a brief method to address these issues.
Following discussion and agreement with the Steering Group, Stage 2 is anticipated to take the key constraints forward with the aim of addressing the issues. The final stage, Stage 3, will build on the findings of Stages 1 and 2, aiming towards the development of a strategic approach to the deployment of marine renewable energy technologies in Wales, with the intention of meeting energy targets in a sustainable manner.
The Approach to Sustainable Development Report presents the final outputs of the Marine Renewable Energy Strategic Framework (MRESF). The MRESF will be an essential management tool for the sustainable development of wave and tidal energy in Wales.