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

simplifies the permitting and licensing process for the ORE developer and provides, in general, betterguarantees for a coordinated analysis and assessment of applications for ORE development.In Greece, the Renewables Act of 2010 provides the legal basis for permitting and licensingprocedures, and an international tender procedure will be launched after the results of the SEAprocedure are published. As mentioned before, the outcome of the SEA may alter the conditions inthe specific Greek maritime zones, or even withdraw some, so at this stage it is too early to evaluatethe results of the permitting and licensing practice in Greece.Legally binding ORE zoning instruments, such as the SEA process in Spain (2009) have recentlyestablished a certain regulatory certainty. Nevertheless, it is still too early to assess the effectivenessof these MSP instruments in terms of promoting investment in ORE.3.2.3 Policy recommendations• Reduce the number of required licenses and permits for ORE development to a scatteredlicensing regime where one administration can authorise a project which can be undone byanother ministry,• Establish - where possible - the one single procedure for the authorisation and operation ofoffshore renewable energy projects, likely to guarantee the best possible coordination of allconcerned administrations, at cross-sectorial level as well as at national, regional and local level,• Based on the licensing process practices of the Mediterranean Sea basin, coordination of the„one-stop-shop‟ licensing process should be assigned to the Energy administration of the coastalstates. In general, the Energy administration is well aware of the need and the urgency to deliverthe 20/20/20 energy target (ORE deployment can contribute substantially to this target, asillustrated below) 35 . The Energy administration will also be able to integrate from the outset thegrid connection element into the general licensing process. The Energy administration seems tobe, in general 36 , the most appropriate administration to push the ORE development througheffective and streamlined permitting and licensing. Taking into account the lack of developmentof ORE in the Mediterranean so far, it is important that the most ambitious administration interms of ORE development takes the lead in the licensing process.• Develop a criterion based MSP in their territorial seas such as in UK which appears to be the bestsolution for the Mediterranean Sea, or alternatively use the example of Greece and Spain todelimitate ORE zones,• Early and active stakeholder consultation in the licensing process will result in a broader supportfor ORE development in the territorial seas, which may reduce significantly the risk ofadministrative or juridical appeals against granted permits or licenses.35 Belgian case study: 6,6 % of maritime zon can generate 10 % of gross national electricty production. Seechapter North Sea.36 This may not automatically be the case in countries with low ORE ambitions.Deliverable D 2.372 | P a g e