While we gain invaluable knowledge from consulting with local communities, the NISA project has undertaken extensive site survey efforts, both onshore and offshore, to provide vital information regarding the environmental and technical characterisation of the project area.
The findings from these surveys have informed the development of the proposed project and have been published in our Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) as part of the NISA planning application.
Environmental Surveys & Studies
(ongoing since 2019)
Ornithology & Marine Mammal Surveys
Marine Traffic Surveys
Benthic Surveys
Marine Biological Communities
Intertidal Surveys
All marine activities
Metocean
Oceanographic & meteorologocal surveys
Marine Archaeology
Location of ship wrecks and areas of marine archaeology potential
Geological Investigations
Geotechnical & Geophysical surveys
Bird Surveys
Ornithology
Ecological Surveys
Mammals & natural habitats
Site Investigations
Geotechnical & location of existing services
Traffic & Transport
Traffic surveys & studies
Archaeology
Archaeological assessments
Noise & Air Quality
Establishing baselines
Foreshore Investigations
In order to establish the most appropriate turbine locations and cable routes, investigation works have been undertaken that will provide information on the existing seabed and geotechnical conditions. These investigations will ensure we understand the local area as much as possible before we submit our planning application.
Two foreshore licences have been awarded to NISA by the Department of Planning, Housing and Local Government for consideration. These permit the initial offshore survey effort to inform WTG locations and cabling arrangements.
NISA have been coordinating with the fisheries industry and all other relevant stakeholders in order to avoid any unnecessary disruption to existing activities. NISA remains committed to working positively with the fishing industry going forward.
During public consultation events and other meetings over recent months, we advised attendees that we have applied for a Maritime Usage Licence (MUL). This application was submitted to the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA) and is currently published on its website. Through MARA, this MUL application will be consulted on during March and April 2024. Surveys associated with this MUL would likely occur in the latter part of 2024 or early 2025.
