Offshore wind on the high seas: resource potential and legal implications for developing projects beyond the national jurisdiction of coastal States

• Main Authors: Elsner, Paul, Suarez, S.V.
• Format: Conference Object
• Language: English
• Published: 2019
• Subjects: Department of Geography; Rockall Bank; North Atlantic
• Online Access: https://eprints.bbk.ac.uk/id/eprint/30341/; https://eprints.bbk.ac.uk/id/eprint/30341/1/GOW19%20Poster%20Template_2%20Column%20_AO_ElsnerSuarezfinal.pdf; https://events.renewableuk.com/gow19-programme/posters

Offshore wind projects are currently restricted to the exclusive economic zones (EEZ) of coastal States. Recent advances in offshore wind technology are raising the prospect of utilising excellent wind resources on the high seas. We identify potential resource areas which include Rockall Bank/Hatton Ridge just outside the UK EEZ in the North Atlantic. The legal framework for wind energy projects on the high seas is the United Nations Convention in the Law of the Sea where flag states play a central regulatory role. Flags of convenience might evolve and undercut environmental and safety standards. Marine spatial planning approaches could safeguard against such potential misappropriation.