Wildt, Nils van der (2022) Wind, Power - The Performance of the Marine Spatial Planning Framework. A Case Study about the Saare Wind Energy Project near the Coast of Saaremaa, Estonia. Master thesis.
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MSP MISFIT MASTER THESIS 2.1 [MERGED].pdf Download (1MB) | Preview |
Abstract
Offshore wind competes with other marine interests. The Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) framework could foresee in guidelines to make sure these interests are fairly equally balanced. However, previous examples showed that implementation was often insufficient and inconsequent, making the performance of MSP unsure. This report presents the outcomes of a study into the performance of two key principles of MSP – participation and integration – in offshore wind developments. This study was executed by applying a case study that focused on the Saare Wind Energy (SWE) offshore wind park near Saaremaa, Estonia. Data was collected from prior documentation, interviews and an online survey. Previous studies indicated that MSP was mostly subject to the interests of the planning authorities, which returned in this study in the form of prioritising state interests and shaping the MSP process just so, although more themes and factors were taken into account in the strategical EIA and in consulting theme groups. Participation and integration in the SWE project process were more present than required by the relevant legislation, but the incorporation was similar with the MSP process, indicating an insufficient safeguard of the Estonian Maritime Spatial Plan in current offshore developments. Finally, although knowledge on the project is limited and the general stance towards offshore wind is slightly negative, the local population does not seem to organise themselves in the form of active opposition, which raises the question what cultural factors play a role in the mobilisation of opposition. This study adds to the knowledge on the implementation of the theoretic principles of MSP into a range of different cases. Meanwhile, this study focused on one particular offshore project to assess whether this limited safeguarding in the plan also materialises in the implementation phase. Furthermore, this study also contributes to knowledge of offshore wind planning in general by considering the land-sea interaction between the offshore wind farm and the population who lives from that particular sea area and its surroundings.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Master) |
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| Degree programme: | Society, Sustainability and Planning (MSc Socio-spatial Planning) |
| Supervisor: | Zuidema, C. |
| Date Deposited: | 28 Apr 2022 08:34 |
| Last Modified: | 28 Apr 2022 08:34 |
| URI: | https://frw.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/3814 |
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