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<p>The UK Offshore Energy Strategic Environmental Assessment (OESEA), published in January 2009, concluded that there were no overriding environmental considerations to prevent the achievement of up to 33 GW of offshore wind capacity in UK waters. This conclusion was subject to mitigation measures being implemented to prevent, reduce and offset significant adverse effects. On this basis, the level of development in the Round 3 offshore wind programme was deemed to be acceptable.</p><p>In 2011, a further strategic environmental assessment reinforced the conclusions of the previous assessment.</p><p>While the overall impacts of additional offshore wind capacity have been assessed at a strategic level as part of the OESEA, any proposal to build an offshore wind farm is still subject to project level assessment, including environmental impact assessment, which will address location-specific effects.</p> |