Inch Cape has received the screening opinion from the Marine Directorate confirming the application to use a temporary cofferdam during the installation of the export cable would not need an environmental impact assessment (EIA).

The project team applied for a screening opinion having found that a temporary cofferdam may be required for additional works at the Cockenzie landfall site and for the installation of its export cables. A cofferdam would provide a safe working area and protection for the works set to take place within the intertidal zone.

Full details of the proposal as well as the feedback from the Marine Directorate can be found in the published Screening Opinion under the Marine Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2017h.

The next steps for the process will be the submissions of an application for a marine licence for the works before the end of 2023.

The pre-application public consultation on the temporary cofferdam has concluded however further consultation will be carried out with statutory stakeholders through the application process.

This screening opinion follows two other approvals received by the project from the Scottish Ministers in 2023 including a variation to the offshore transmission works marine licence received in August and a variation to the Section 36 consent and generating station marine licence received in June 2023.

An application for a new marine licence for additional landfall works was also submitted to the Marine Directorate in August 2023