The construction of a wind farm requires a wide range of authorizations. The first is a license to carry out seabed surveys to assess the technical and environmental conditions for a future wind farm and a future installation of a power transmission cable to the Swedish mainland. These surveys also provide a basis for the permits that the wind farm will need in a later authorisation process.
For surveys and exploration of the seabed, permits are required under the Continental Shelf Act (1966:314) (KSL). RWE is currently conducting inquiry consultations with county administrative boards and authorities.
The results of the surveys will form the basis for decisions on the location and design of the planned wind farm, taking into account the conditions of the area and minimizing the environmental impact.
The project is at an early stage and scoping consultations are currently underway for the preparation of an environmental impact assessment and application for a permit for surveys in design phase, establishment, operation and deconstruction of the Elinor offshore wind farm. The consultation is part of the permit process, which means that the relevant authorities, organisations, particularly interested parties and the public have the opportunity to comment on the planned activities. For RWE, the consultation also means obtaining the knowledge and conditions needed to develop the wind farm according to the site's conditions.
The planned environmental impact assessment will form the basis for the application for the necessary licences under the Environmental Code (1998:808) and the Swedish Economic Zone Act (1992:1140). A special Natura 2000 assessment according to Chapter 7, Section 28a of the Environmental Code is not considered relevant for the wind farm and the internal cable network. In the event that a Natura 2000 permit is considered necessary at a later stage, the consultation also includes this.
