ABPmer has been contracted by Highlands and Islands Enterprise to undertake an HRA for their Marine Renewables Infrastructure Plan.  

Under the EC Habitat and Birds Directive, any new plan or project has to undergo a Habitat Regulations Appraisal to determine whether it is likely to have a significant effect on certain European protected sites and how an adverse effect on site integrity can be avoided. 

ABPmer has been contracted by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) to undertake a Habitats Regulations Appraisal (HRA) for their Marine Renewables Infrastructure Plan (MRIP).  

This will build on the previous HRA undertaken by ABPmer for the National Renewables Infrastructure Plan (N-RIP) prepared by HIE and Scottish Enterprise.

Elena San Martin, Project Manager, ABPmer said:

“We are delighted to have been appointed by Highlands and Islands Enterprise to prepare the HRA. We have successfully completed over ten strategic-level marine HRAs, including those for the National Renewables Infrastructure Plan and the Sectoral Marine Plans for Offshore Renewable Energy in Scotland. We have also recently completed the first ever UK-wide plan-level HRA for The Crown Estate (for their wave and tidal energy further leasing plan) and we are currently engaged in two further plan-level HRAs.

This experience will be vital for the MRIP HRA. Not just because it will ensure the work is of a high quality, following the latest principles of marine plan-level HRAs, but also because we have a good understanding of the concerns of key stakeholders, particularly Scottish Natural Heritage and environmental NGOs, and are therefore in a strong position to engage with them. The results of the HRA will provide valuable information for port and harbour developers.”  

ABPmer is at the forefront of this field at a national level and has worked particularly closely with key stakeholders in Scotland over the last few years to develop and apply the methods for plan-level HRA work.