Deliverable 5.1 Report on available and gathered information

WESE

Abstract: 

Due to the present and future demand for marine resources and space, human activities in the marine environment are expected to increase, which will generate higher pressures on marine ecosystems, as well as competition and conflicts among marine users. This scenario poses several challenges when seeking permission/consent for commercial-scale development. Time-consuming procedures linked to uncertainty about project environmental impacts, the need to consult with numerous stakeholders and potential conflicts with other marine users appear to be the main obstacles to consenting Wave Energy projects. These are considered as non-technological barriers that could hinder the future development of Wave Eenergy in EU, and Spain and Portugal in particular where, for instance, consenting approaches remain fragmented and sequential.

Sea Basin(s): 
Atlantic
Western Med
Country: 
Portugal
Spain
Year: 
November 2019
Application in MSP: 
Unknown effect
Sectors: 
Offshore renewable energy production
Type of Issue: 
Coexistence of uses
Data
Environment aspects
Social aspects
Type of practice: 
Other
Stage of MSP cycle: 
Analyse spatial aspects
Cross-border / trans-national aspect: 
No
Coherence with other processes: 
Renewable Energy Directive
Key words: 
Wave energy
data
maritime activities
technical aspects
environment monitoring
legal constraints
Source / Links: 

Galparsoro, I., M. Apolonia, I. Mentxaka, O. Solaun, A. Uriarte and J. Bald, 2019. DELIVERABLE 5.1. Report on available and gathered information. Corporate deliverable of the Wave Energy in Southern Europe (WESE) Project funded by the European Commission. Agreement number EASME/EMFF/2017/1.2.1.1/02/SI2.787640. 18 pp. 

Questions this practice may help answer:

  • What type of information is required to assess whether an area is suitable for the establishment of wave energy?
  • What are the objectives of the WESE Project?
  • Which non-technological barriers may hinder the development of wave energy?

Implementation Context:

This report was drafted within the framework of the WESE Project which aims at overcoming non-technological barriers to the development of Wave Energy.

Aspects / Objectives:

This report is a deliverable of the WESE Wave Energy in the Southern Europe project and describes the information needed to assess suitable areas for the development of wave energy convertor facilities in Portugal and Spain.

Method:

Information and data were gathered from various sources: EMODnet, Copernicus, DG-MARE's Atlas of the Sea, European Joint Research Centre. Research focused on different topics (maritime activities, technical aspects, environmental aspects, legal constraints).

Main Outputs / Results:

This report constitutes the work carried out in work package 5 of the WESE Project and presents the methodology implemented.

Transferability:

This practice is not transferable.

Responsible Entity:

WESE - Wave Energy in southern Europe.

Funding Source:

Project co-funded by the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) of the European Union.

Contact person:

WESE project.