Apply to generate energy offshore
Offshore generating stations may require a marine licence and other consent.
Offshore generating stations with a capacity of more than 100 megawatts (MW) and onshore generating stations with a capacity of more than 50MW are classed as nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIP).
These require an order from the relevant Secretary of State and this may deem a marine licence to have been granted.
There are other consents you may need for an offshore energy installation.
Electricity Act 1989 consents
You will need consent from MMO to construct, extend or operate any offshore generating stations with a generating capacity of between 1 and 100MW – section 36.
You must apply for consent to remove the public rights of navigation that pass through the generating station – section 36A.
Application fees vary depending on the generating capacity of the installation.
If you need both consents you must apply for both at the same time.
Further guidance on Section 36 variations.
Some electricity generating works may be subject to regulation under the Electricity Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) (England and Wales) Regulations 2000 (as amended) and require an environmental impact assessment EIA to be submitted to the MMO alongside the main application.
Safety zone applications
You can apply to MMO for a safety zone declaration to apply around offshore renewable energy generating stations.
Safety zone applications can be made at same time as the section 36 consent or independently.
You should declare whether you intend to apply for a safety zone declaration when you apply for section 36 consent.
Safety zone declarations can have different phases to cover construction, operation and decommissioning, but they do not cover cables (either inter-array or export). The usual zone is for 500 metres for construction and 50 metres for the operational phase. Further guidance on safety zone consents.
Application fees for safety zone consents.