Metadata detail: Offshore Wind Regions

Identification

Title

Offshore Wind Regions

Abstract

This layer is a product of the resource and constraint analysis undertaken by The Crown Estate between September 2017 and August 2019 to support the Offshore Wind Leasing Round 4 process.

The Favourable Key Resource Area (technical resource) defines the area of seabed that is most favourable for fixed foundation offshore wind development (defined by waters between 5m and 50m depth and accessibility due to wave climate being below 2.5m for 80 per cent of the time). Floating offshore wind was not part of the exercise.

The Favourable Key Resource Area layer is the starting point of an analysis which progressively refined the available seabed to identify the more technically attractive and relatively less constrained areas of seabed. The resulting 18 characterisation areas are the outputs of modelling combining available technical resource, undevelopable areas and other constraints. Models of technical resources, exclusions (hard constraints), restrictions (soft constraints) were considered together in the final characterisation areas; two of which (areas 15 & 16) are in Welsh waters. The characterisation of areas included, for example, constraints from visual impacts, MoD, ornithological impact and fishing activity. The process was subject to consultation and peer review.

See: The Crown Estate (2019). Resource and Constraints Assessment for Offshore Wind - Methodology Report.

Data source

The Crown Estate

Not applicable

Date modified