Comparative analysis of Maritime Spatial Planning ... - Seanergy 2020

undertaken like the „North Seas Countries Offshore Grid Initiative‟, ENTSO-E and the PentalateralEnergy Forum. These cooperation initiatives are all focused around the grid aspect of OREdevelopment. Ireland, the UK and France have joined most of these initiatives.2.6.3 Policy recommendations• In order to match current and future MSP developments with the necessary grid connections andreinforcements, it would be useful to present and discuss current and future MSP related to OREwithin the international or regional „grid‟ organisations such as ENTSO-E and other initiatives.2.7 IMPLEMENTATION OF MSP2.7.1 Barriers and obstaclesA comprehensive MSP policy has not yet been implemented in the Atlantic Ocean and Irish seas,except for the UK side of the Atlantic and Irish coast. One of the reasons may be the vast maritimespace of this sea basin and, compared to other sea basins like the North Sea and the Mediterranean,the relatively low density of maritime activities. One could say that MSP in such a context is a „nice tohave‟ policy but not a real urgent priority.2.7.2 Good practicesNevertheless, MSP or MSP-like instruments may be useful or even necessary, especially in theterritorial seas of this sea basin. France is expected to implement its ORE zoning policy also in theterritorial seas at the end of this year. It remains to be seen whether the other limiting conditions ofthe tender for the wind energy zones will attract sufficient ORE developers. A comparable, thoughless participative ORE zoning practice, is also in place in Portugal (in progress), Spain and Ireland.The UK has an interesting criteria based approach for offshore wind development, which, a priori,does not exclude offshore renewables from any maritime zone. This practice has the advantage ofgiving freedom to install ORE plants at a location of choice and the almost indefinite perspective forORE deployment in UK waters.2.8. CONCLUSIONThe table below gives a succinct overview of the MSP progress related to ORE development andtargets for 2020 in the EU member states of the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Seas. It illustrates that OREdevelopment has not yet really taken off in this sea basin. In order to spur ORE deployment in theAtlantic Ocean and Irish Seas, it is important to adopt a MSP policy reserving the necessary space forthis new activity within the maritime area of a State.A comprehensive MSP legislation may not be necessary for this purpose. The ORE zoning approachcan turn out to be an equally effective MSP-like instrument if it has a legally binding effect.Deliverable D 2.366 | P a g e