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Sector Deal - Technical Updates

Scottish Onshore Wind Sector Deal Update: Technical

The operation of wind turbines can impact the air traffic control radar and the associated surveillance infrastructure used in both civil and military domains. In particular, radar mitigation systems that are designed to coexist in areas where wind turbines are present are now available, and a collaborative approach is needed between the onshore wind sector, civil, and military aviation stakeholders to transition to these new systems. The legislative requirement for aviation lighting on onshore wind turbines at or above 150 metres to tip can cause issues in the protection of dark skies.

The Eskdalemuir Seismic Array (EKA) is a Ministry of Defence managed facility that forms part of the UK’s obligations under the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. Operation of the EKA is impacted by seismic vibrations from wind turbines and it is essential that the cumulative level of vibration from wind turbines within 50 km from the centre of the EKA does not exceed the tolerance (noise budget) of the Array. The consultation zone of the EKA, which extends into Northern England, represents around 10% of Scotland’s total land area and has the potential to support an additional 5GW to 7GW of wind energy. However, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) safeguarding requirements applicable to the EKA have resulted in limited development across the consultation zone since January 2018.   

There are 8 commitments in the Scottish Onshore Wind Sector Deal that will help unlock onshore wind deployment that is currently restricted by aviation and EKA constraints.

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Unlocking Eskdalemuir

Both the Scottish Government and the onshore wind sector are working collaboratively with the MOD to finalise a new approach to seismic noise budget management.

Who is Involved

The Eskdalemuir Working Group (EWG) is the lead for this commitment. The EWG is chaired by the Scottish Government and comprises representatives from the Ministry of Defence, the wind industry, technical experts Xi Engineering, and a planning law expert. Please contact Adam Mackie, Onshore Renewable Electricity Policy, Scottish Government with any queries.

Work Update

  • The EWG is working towards issuing guidance related to the Eskdalemuir noise budget and seismic impact limit. The guidance is expected to be released in Q1 2025 for public consultation. More information can be found here.
  • The MoD will be releasing a consultation on its draft approach to noise management in Q3 2024.
  • The MOD has recently opened a consultation on their approach to safeguarding Eskdalemuir. SR and RUK will submit a joint response by the December 20, 2024 deadline.
  • The EWG convened in late October to discuss next steps and collaboration with the UK Onshore Wind Industry Taskforce. The baseline audit had been completed and is going through a verification process with the MOD. The EWG will now meet every 6 weeks.

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Working with Aviation

Key stakeholders have collaborated to create a comprehensive national survey, establishing the extent of aviation-related issues for onshore wind development, and a market survey on existing and emerging technologies, which will identify potential solutions are currently being planned. From this survey, the stakeholders will publish details of how to reach a fair and equitable deployment of funding and mitigation solutions.

Stakeholders are also collaborating with the aviation sector to identify mitigations and regulators to optimise instrument flight procedures to accommodate maximum wind farm capacity while maintaining safe airport operations.

Scottish Government commits to finalising and promoting the Aviation Lighting Assessment Guidance and ensuring its implementation. It will also engage with the UK Government to seek to address reserved matters regarding aviation regulations and defence requirements.

Who is Involved

Along with the Strategic Leadership Group Theme Lead (Sam Johnson, Senior Aviation Manager, RES Group), Onward 2030 is the group identified as the optimal route to deliver the Sector Deal commitments related to aviation. The group comprises representatives from the Scottish Government, the UK Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), Department for Transport, national regulatory bodies of the wind industry and key aviation (civil and military) stakeholders.

Please contact Heidi Douglas-Osborn, Senior Policy Analyst (Aviation and Onshore), RenewableUK with any queries regarding the work of Onward 2030.

Work Update

  • A summary of the comprehensive national survey will be released in Q3 2024.
  • Working groups have been created through OnWard2030 to move all other Sector Deal commitments forward. Work is expected to begin in Q3.
  • A summary of the comprehensive national survey has been sent to DESNZ for review before circulating with industry. We expect to be able to publish the results in Q4 2024.
  • The next commitment in the aviation workstream is to complete a survey on wind farm tolerant surveillance systems and the support of delivery for these solutions. This survey is under way and initial results are expected in Q4 2024.
  • By Q2 2025 it’s expected that the Sector Deal commitments on collaboration to find mutually acceptable mitigations through fair and transparent processes, as well as work on optimising Instrument Flight Procedures, will be completed. By Q3 2025 we expect to publish details setting out a proactive, transparent, and consistent approach to the management of aviation issues for onshore wind. These workstreams are being completed through OnWARD2030.
  • The Guidance on Aviation Lighting Impact Assessment has now been published and is hosted by Nature Scot, meeting the critieria of a Sector Deal Technical commitment.
  • The OnWARD 2030 Aviation Wind Farm Mitigation Market Study has now been published, meeting the critieria of a Sector Deal Technical commitment.