This section summarises the key environmental
outcomes arising from the assessments completed in this EIA Report for the
proposed offshore wind farm. For
each of the environmental components assessed, a summary of key environmental
sensitive receivers is completed, together with an overview of the key
potential environmental impacts and key mitigation measures, highlighting their
benefits where necessary.
The summary of each of the components is structured
as follows:
·
List
of sensitive receivers;
·
Key
Environmental Problems Avoided / Environmental Outcomes;
·
Assessment
Methodology and Criteria;
·
Construction
Impacts;
·
Operational
Impacts;
·
Key
Mitigation Measures;
·
Residual
Impacts; and
·
Compliance
with the guidelines and criteria of the Environmental
Impact Assessment Ordinance - Technical Memorandum (EIAO-TM).
Prior to the discussion of the above, a summary of
the Identification of Alternative Sites
is presented below.
13.2
Identification of
Alternative Sites
The assessment of siting
alternatives has been undertaken in accordance with Clause 3.3.1 of the Study Brief and the EIAO-TM. The preferred
site for the wind farm has been identified through a detailed mapping exercise
including a review of both the natural and man-made environment and the
associated environment constraints.
Eight alternative sites have been reviewed through a comparative
assessment of wide-ranging environmental concerns, such as Landscape and
Visual, Heritage, Marine Recreation and Amenity, Seabed Sediments, Water
Quality, Noise, Nature Conservation and Fisheries. Social issues and physical aspects have
also been examined and the potential environmental benefits / disbenefits that result as a consequence are also
considered.
Taking into consideration the range of factors
described in the previous sections, the
·
Landscape – Site 1 is located across
areas of both ‘Offshore Waters Landscapes’ and ‘Inshore Waters Landscape’ and
has a number of man-made elements in the vicinity (ie
such as the Lamma Power Station, Victoria Harbour and designated marine anchorage areas) as such
changes to Landscape Character are considered to be less significant at this
site when compared to others.
·
Geoconservation – Site 1 is the only site
that is remote from the Hong Kong National Geopark.
·
Timeframe for Construction – Site 1 would be considered
to have the shortest construction timeframe, which would reduce the potential
magnitude of impacts on receptors through prolonged exposure to pollutant
sources or disturbance to key habitats.
As such a shorter timeframe for construction was regarded to have a
higher environmental benefit for the site.
·
Long term Maintenance
Requirements –
Remote monitoring and operation of the wind farm has to be performed at the
control room of Lamma Power Station. As larger transport distances will
reduce the sustainability of the project with respect to fuel usage and air
emissions, Site 1 was considered to be favoured due
to this environmental benefit.
·
Distance to
Connect to HK Electric Grid
– As above, a shorter distance to connect to the onshore grid, be it offshore or
onshore, would reduce potential dredging / jetting / excavation requirements
and reduce the overall footprint of the development. Potential impacts to subtidal
marine benthos, hard coral communities and fisheries resources would hence be
comparatively lower than those occurring from other sites. As Site 1 has the shortest distance to
connect to the HK Electric Grid, this site was preferred due to these
environmental benefits.
Table 13.1 presents a summary of the findings of the
assessment of impacts to water quality as a result of the construction and
operation of the offshore wind farm components. Full details of the assessment are
presented in Section 6 of this EIA Report.
Table 13.1 Summary
of Environmental Assessment and Outcomes – Water Quality
- WATER QUALITY- |
|
|
Sensitive Receivers (SRs) |
Fisheries Resources: ·
Spawning/Nursery Grounds; and ·
Fish Culture Zone: Lo Tik Wan and Sok Kwu Wan. Marine Ecological Resources: ·
Potential Coral Communities: ·
Horseshoe Crab Nursery
Grounds: Sok
Kwu Wan; ·
Marine Mammal habitat; ·
Green turtle habitat: Sham Wan; and ·
Water Quality SRs: ·
Gazetted Beaches: Cheung Chau
Tung Wan, Kwun Yam, Hung Shing
Yeh and Lo So Shing; and ·
Seawater Intakes: Cheung Chau,
Lamma Power Station and Yuen Kok. |
|
Key Environmental Problems Avoided / Environmental Outcomes |
·
Water quality impacts have been
avoided by positioning the offshore wind farm away from nearshore
sensitive areas of Lamma and Cheung Chau and where sightings of marine mammals and green
turtles are greatest. |
|
Assessment Methodology and Criteria |
·
The potential impacts due to the
construction and operation of the Project and associated developments were
assessed following the EIAO-TM Annex 6
guidelines and the impacts evaluated based on the criteria in EIAO-TM Annex 14. ·
Impacts due to the dispersion of
fine sediment in suspension during the construction of the offshore wind farm
and submarine cable have been assessed using computational modelling. ·
The simulation of operational
impacts on hydrodynamics has also been studied by means of computational
modelling. The models have been
used to simulate the effects of marine structures on currents and flows. ·
Analysis of EPD routine water
quality data from the years of 1998 to 2007 has been undertaken to determine
the allowable increase in suspended solids concentrations. |
|
Key Construction Impacts |
·
Suspended
Sediments (SS): Potential impacts arising from the proposed grab
dredging, jetting and foundation construction works are predicted to be
largely confined to the specific works areas. The predicted elevations of suspended
sediment concentrations are transient in nature and not predicted to cause
adverse impacts to water quality at the sensitive receivers. In addition, sediment deposition related
to construction is localised in nature and will not significantly affect the
marine environment in the Study Area. ·
Water
Quality (Dissolved Oxygen, Nutrients, and Heavy Metals): The effects of increased SS
concentrations as a result of the proposed works on levels of dissolved
oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand and nutrients (as unionised ammonia) are
predicted to be minimal. Where
such effects exist, they will be transient, localised in extent and of a
small magnitude. ·
Vessel
and Other Discharges: Land based construction activities,
vessel discharges and contaminants are not predicted to cause unacceptable
impacts to the water quality sensitive receivers. |
|
Key Operational Impacts |
·
Hydrodynamics: Modelling results show that the
presence of the wind turbine farm structures will have very minor and
localised effects on current flows and will not impact on local erosion and
sedimentation patterns. ·
Other
Discharges: Vessel
discharges, accidental spill from ship collision and the release of other
contaminants from wind turbines are not predicted to cause unacceptable
impacts to the water quality sensitive receivers. |
|
Key Mitigation Measures |
The water quality
modelling results have indicated that the works can proceed at the
recommended working rates without causing unacceptable impacts to water
quality sensitive receivers. In
instances where there are exceedances of the
applicable standards, they have been predicted to be transient and localised,
and therefore, not of concern. Unacceptable
impacts to water quality sensitive receivers have largely been avoided
through the adoption of the following measures: ·
Siting: A number of locations were studied for
the offshore wind farm and the associated and cable route, with the principal
aim of avoiding direct impacts to sensitive receivers; ·
Reduction in Indirect Impacts: The
offshore wind farm and cable route are located at a sufficient distance from
a large number of water quality sensitive receivers so that the dispersion of
sediments from the construction works does not affect the receivers at levels
of concern (as defined by the WQO and tolerance criterion); and ·
Adoption of Acceptable Working Rates: The
modelling work has demonstrated that the working rates (ie
2,500 m3 day-1 for grab dredging; 360 m hr-1
for jetting operations) for the operations will not cause unacceptable
impacts to the receiving water quality. Aside from these
pro-active measures that have been adopted, a number of operational
constraints and good site practice measures for dredging, jetting,
construction run-off and other discharges are also recommended. |
|
Residual Impacts |
·
No unacceptable residual impacts have
been predicted to occur during the construction and operational phase. |
|
Compliance with EIAO-TM |
·
The assessment and the impacts are
acceptable and in compliance with the EIAO-TM
Annexes 6 and 14 and applicable
assessment standards/criteria. |
Table 13.2 presents a summary of the findings of the
assessment of impacts to waste management as a result of the construction and
operation of the proposed offshore wind farm. The details of the assessment are
presented in full in Section 7 of
this EIA Report.
Table 13.2 Summary
of Environmental Assessment and Outcomes – Waste Management
-
WASTE MANAGEMENT - |
|
|
Assessment
Methodology and Criteria |
The potential environmental impacts associated with the
handling and disposal of waste arising from the construction and operation of
the proposed wind farm components are assessed in accordance with the
criteria presented in Annexes 7 and
15 of the EIAO-TM: ·
Estimation of the types and quantities of
the wastes to be generated; ·
Assessment of the secondary environmental
impacts due to the management of waste with respect to potential hazards, air
and odour emissions, noise, wastewater discharges and traffic; and ·
Assessment of the potential impacts on
the capacity of waste collection, transfer and disposal facilities. |
|
Key Environmental
Problems Avoided / Environmental Outcomes |
·
Potential design and construction
alternatives were examined on the basis of their potential environmental
impacts. The resultant identification
of preferred options has led to the reduction in the amount of waste that
expected to be produced and therefore has brought about an overall reduction
in waste management impacts. |
|
Key Construction
Impacts |
The key
potential impacts during the construction phase are related to wastes
generated from dredging, site formation, seawall removal, filling and general
waste production: ·
It is estimated that a total of
approximate 3000 m3 of marine sediment will be dredged at the
landing point. These sediments are considered to be uncontaminated and are
expected to be suitable for Open Sea Disposal; and ·
Other wastes produced during the
construction phase are of small quantity and will be disposed of accordingly
to their nature and relevant regulations, avoiding any potential adverse
impact. |
|
Key Operational
Impacts |
·
Chemical waste, sewage and general refuse
will be produced during the operational phase of the proposed wind farm. The potential environmental impacts
associated with the storage, handling, collection, transport and disposal of
these will meet the criteria specified in the EIAO-TM, thus no unacceptable operational waste management
impacts are anticipated. |
|
Key Mitigation
Measures |
·
A number of mitigation measures have been
proposed to avoid or minimise potential adverse environmental impacts
associated with handling, collection and disposal of waste arising from the
construction and operation of the proposed offshore wind farm. ·
Proposed measures are based on good
management, control and good site practices. |
|
Residual Impacts |
·
With the implementation of the
recommended mitigation measures, in particular the establishment and
implementation of the Waste Management Plan, minimal residual impacts are
anticipated from the construction and operation of the offshore wind farm. |
|
Compliance with EIAO-TM |
·
The assessment and the impacts are
acceptable and in compliance with the EIAO-TM
Annexes 7 and 15 and applicable
assessment standards/criteria. |
13.5
Terrestrial
Ecology & Avifauna
Table 13.3 presents a summary of the findings of the
assessment of impacts to terrestrial ecology particularly avifauna as a result
of the construction and operation of the proposed offshore wind farm. The details of the assessment are
presented in full in Section 8 of
this EIA Report.
Table 13.3 Summary
of Environmental Assessment and Outcomes – Terrestrial Ecology & Avifauna
|
- TERRESTRIAL ECOLOGY - |
|
|
Flora and Fauna of Ecological Interest |
·
Terrestrial ecological resources of cable
landing point at Lamma Power Station Extension is
limited due to the high degree of disturbance in the area. ·
Five species of conservation interest
have been identified within the Study Area including ·
Bird species identified to be potentially
sensitive to the wind farm (via collision) within the Project Site include
Aleutian Tern, White-winged Tern, Black Kite, Black-legged Kittiwake, Black-naped Tern, Common Tern, Heuglin’s
Gull, Red-necked Phalarope, and White-bellied Sea Eagle. |
|
Key Environmental Problems Avoided / Environmental Outcomes |
·
Disturbance to terrestrial ecological
resources including avifauna of acknowledged conservation significance has
been avoided as a result of the site selection process of the proposed wind
farm. |
|
Assessment Methodology and Criteria |
·
Following a literature review of
available ecological information characterising the Study Area, surveys were
conducted over a period of 9 months to update and field check the validity of
the information gathered in the review and to fill information gaps. ·
Vessel-based transect surveys were
conducted for birds, with a particular emphasis on migratory birds/seabirds. ·
The potential impacts due to the construction
and operation of the proposed wind farm were assessed following the EIAO-TM Annex 16 guidelines and the impacts evaluated based on the
criteria in EIAO-TM Annex 8. |
|
Key Construction Impacts |
·
Permanent loss of open water habitat
(approximately 0.16 ha) due to the construction of wind turbine foundations,
offshore substation and offshore monitoring mast. ·
Potential loss of foraging and feeding
ground of the birds. ·
The relatively small scale loss of open
waters within the Project Site is not expected to be significant for
bird/migratory bird populations. |
|
Key Operational Impacts |
·
Potential disturbance to bird movement
via barrier effect and glare/noise generated from the wind turbine. ·
Potential impact of collision between birds
and wind turbines, including attraction to lights. ·
Collision risk assessment has been
conducted and the predicted number of bird collision is considered not
significant to these migratory bird species ·
In view of the offshore location of the
proposed wind farm and limited usage by birds within the Project Site, it is
anticipated that the collision risk due to the operation of the Project is
low and will not cause any unacceptable impacts to these migratory bird
species. |
|
Key Mitigation Measures |
·
The general policy for mitigation of
significant ecological impacts has been addressed on the basis of Annex 16 of
the EIAO-TM. ·
Avoidance: Disturbance to birds/habitats of
acknowledged conservation significance has been avoided as a result of the
site selection process of the wind farm. ·
Minimisation: The impacts on birds due to the
construction and operation of the wind farm are generally expected to be low
and acceptable. The following
appropriate measures will be taken to further reduce impacts to terrestrial
ecological resources: o Appropriate
Construction Practice: Avoid
pollution, damage and disturbance to the surrounding open water habitats |
|
Residual Impacts |
·
The Project will involve the permanent loss
of approximately 0.16 ha of open water habitat for some swimming and foraging
birds. ·
No adverse residual impact due to the
construction and operation of the wind farm is expected after the
implementation of the proposed mitigation measures. |
|
Compliance with EIAO-TM |
·
The assessment and the impacts are
acceptable and in compliance with the EIAO-TM
Annexes 8 and 16 and applicable
assessment standards/criteria. |
Table 13.4 presents a summary of the findings of the
assessment of impacts to marine ecology as a result of the construction and
operation of the proposed offshore wind farm. The details of the assessment are
presented in full in Section 9 of
this EIA Report.
Table 13.4 Summary
of Environmental Assessment and Outcomes – Marine Ecology
- MARINE ECOLOGY - |
|
|
Marine Ecology Sensitive Receivers |
The following ecological sensitive
receivers were identified: ·
Habitats of the Finless porpoise; ·
Nesting areas for the green
turtle: Sham Wan; ·
·
Nearshore
hard coral communities at Nam Tsui to Tai Kok and at the Lamma Power
Station Extension Seawall. |
|
Key Environmental Problems Avoided / Environmental Outcomes |
·
Disturbance to marine ecologically
sensitive habitats has been avoided as a result of the site/route selection
process of the proposed wind farm and cable route. ·
Potential design and engineering
alternatives have been examined on the basis of their potential environmental
impacts and appropriate recommendations made. For example, jetting of the cable
system has been adopted for the majority of the alignment to reduce volumes
of sediment to be dredged and then disposed. |
|
Assessment Methodology and Criteria |
·
A literature review was
supplemented by detailed all season field surveys for intertidal and subtidal benthic assemblages, as well as marine mammals
(vessel based surveys). ·
The potential impacts due to the
construction and operation of the proposed offshore wind farm and submarine
cables were assessed following the EIAO-TM Annex 16 guidelines and the
impacts evaluated based on criteria in EIAO-TM Annex 8. |
|
Key Construction Impacts |
·
Potential construction phase
impacts to marine ecological resources, including marine mammals and sea
turtles may result from seawall removal, changes to key water quality
parameters and habitat disturbance as a result of cable laying or
construction of foundations. In
addition, turbine installation works may lead to short term increases in the
levels of underwater sound that could affect marine mammals. ·
Dredging and jetting works will
lead to a short term disturbance to 0.99 ha of low value subtidal
habitat. Foundation construction
will lead to a maximum loss of 3.6 ha of low value subtidal
habitat for the offshore substation option, but this loss could be as low as
0.16 ha of habitat. Cable landing
will involve the disturbance of 16.5 m of artificial seawall habitat. It would be expected that the onshore
substation would lead to potentially similar losses of habitat depending on
final detailed design. Although
these habitats are of low value they are located in areas of medium-high
importance for finless porpoises and low for sea turtles. All of these impacts are considered to
be of low significance and are acceptable. ·
Water quality impacts arising from
the proposed dredging or jetting works are predicted to be largely confined
to the specific works areas and the predicted elevations of suspended
sediment due to the Project are not predicted to cause large areal exceedances of the Water Quality Objectives (WQO),
adverse impacts to water quality, and hence marine ecological resources or
marine mammals, are not anticipated. ·
The generation of underwater sound
during percussive piling and the potential effects on marine mammals was
assessed. Although the sounds
generated are expected to be audible to marine mammals the works were not
predicted to lead to significant impacts. With the adoption of appropriate
mitigation to promote avoidance of the area or to manage works so that sound
generation is controlled. |
|
Key Operational Impacts |
·
Potential operational phase impacts
to marine ecological resources, as well as impacts to marine mammals and
green turtles, may arise from the loss of subtidal
habitat, adverse impacts to water quality, change in hydrodynamics and
underwater sound generation. All
of these impacts are considered to be of low magnitude and are acceptable. ·
Beneficial operational phase
impacts to marine ecological resources are expected to occur through the
generation of the creation of ‘artificial reef’ habitat. The use of rock scour material would
be expected to lead to higher benefits in this regard. Such impacts may lead to increased
productivity and biomass in the area and possibly increase food resource for
marine mammals. |
|
Key Mitigation and Precautionary Measures |
·
Impacts have largely been avoided
during the construction and operation of the offshore wind farm through the
following measures (in accordance with the EIAO-TM): ·
Avoid
Direct Impacts to Ecologically Sensitive Habitats: Disturbance to marine ecologically
sensitive habitats has been avoided as a result of the site selection process
of the offshore wind farm away from more sensitive nearshore
areas; and ·
Adoption
of Acceptable Working Rates:
The modelling work has demonstrated that the selected working rates
for the dredging will not cause unacceptable impacts to the receiving water
quality. Consequently,
unacceptable indirect impacts to marine ecological resources have been
avoided. ·
Mitigation measures specific to
marine ecology include reinstatement of the existing Lamma
Power Station Extension sea wall.
Specific mitigation measures have also been designed to reduce impacts
to the population of marine mammals and sea turtles which include
restrictions on vessel speed, the use of pre-defined and regular routes by
construction traffic, and the selection of acceptable working rates to
control impacts to water quality to acceptable levels (compliance with Water
Quality Objectives - WQOs). ·
Measures have been identified to
assist the protection of marine mammals and sea turtles such as: o Piling
works are undertaken using hydraulic hammers, which typically have lower
sound output than traditional diesel hammers; o Piling
works take place in daylight hours (e.g. 6am to 6pm); o Wind
turbine founding piling works avoid peak seasons of marine mammals (ie December through May); o Piling
works employ ‘soft-starts’; o Piling
works are undertaken in marine mammal and sea turtle exclusion zones which are monitored by
marine mammal observers; and, o Pre-,
during and post-installation monitoring of marine mammal abundance and
distribution. ·
A pre-construction dive survey will also
be undertaken at the sites where isolated corals were identified along the
cable route to confirm their existence.
Should these corals be found present, mitigation will be applied, such
as potential relocation away from the proposed area of works |
|
Residual Impacts |
·
The loss of a maximum of 3.6 ha of
low value soft bottom habitat and loss of 0.16 ha of water column habitat in
an area of medium-high importance for finless porpoises and low for sea
turtles. |
|
Compliance with EIAO-TM |
·
The assessment and the residual
impacts are acceptable and in compliance with the EIAO-TM Annexes 8 and 16
and applicable assessment standards/criteria. |
Table 13.5 presents a summary of the findings of the
assessment of impacts to fisheries as a result of the construction and
operation of the proposed offshore wind farm. The details of the assessment are
presented in full in Section 10 of
this EIA Report.
Table 13.5 Summary
of Environmental Assessment and Outcomes – Fisheries
- FISHERIES - |
|
|
Fisheries Sensitive Receivers |
·
Spawning/Nursery Grounds; and ·
Fish Culture Zone: Lo Tik Wan and Sok Kwu Wan. |
|
Key Environmental Problems Avoided / Environmental Outcomes |
·
Impacts to commercial fisheries
have been avoided by positioning the offshore wind farm and cable route away
from any sensitive areas. |
|
Assessment Methodology and Criteria |
·
A literature review was conducted
to establish the fisheries importance of the area surrounding the proposed
wind farm and cable route. ·
Additional on-site information on
fishing vessels has been gathered during marine surveys. ·
The potential impacts due to the
construction and operation of the Project and associated developments were
assessed following the EIAO-TM Annex 17
guidelines and the impacts evaluated based on the criteria in EIAO-TM Annex 9. |
|
Key Construction Impacts |
·
Potential construction phase
impacts to fisheries may arise from the short term disturbance of marine
habitat due to foundation construction, dredging and jetting or through
changes to key water quality parameters, as a result of marine works,
underwater sound generation, and restriction of fishing activity in proximity
to the marine working areas. ·
Water quality impacts arising from
the proposed dredging, jetting and foundation construction works are
predicted to be largely confined to the specific works areas and to be temporary
in nature. The predicted
elevations of suspended sediment concentrations due to the Project are not
predicted to exceed the assessment criteria over large areas or at sensitive
receivers and they are not expected to cause adverse impacts to water quality
or to any fishing grounds or species of importance to fisheries. ·
Restriction of access for fishing
consists of a small area (500 m from works) and should not affect fisheries
in the area in the context of similar or better fishing areas elsewhere. In additional, increases in vessel
traffic are small scale and should not pose a significant risk to fishing
vessels, particularly given the levels of marine traffic that currently exist
in the area that fishing vessels contend with on a daily basis. ·
Underwater sound generation from
marine construction works is not expected to have a significant impact on
fisheries resources. |
|
Key Operational Impacts |
·
A total of 700 ha of habitat will
be closed to fishermen within and adjacent to the turbine array. This represents only 0.42% of ·
Underwater sound generation from
the operation of the wind turbines is not expected to have a significant
impact on fisheries resources. ·
Changes to fishing pressure and
creation of an ‘artificial reef’ may lead to beneficial impacts for fisheries
in the long term in terms of increasing marine productivity and biomass in
the immediate area of the wind farm.
|
|
Key Mitigation Measures |
·
Works have been designed to control
water quality impacts to within acceptable levels and hence are also expected
to control impacts to fisheries resources. ·
Mitigation to reduce the impacts
associated with underwater sound generation as set out for marine mammals and
sea turtles will minimise related potential impacts on fisheries resources. ·
Measures to promote navigational
safety during the construction and operational phase will also reduce the
potential for adverse impacts on fishing vessels. ·
The implementation of an initial
Fisheries Review and Consultation Programme, potentially followed by a
Fisheries Enhancement Plan, will address the potential for fisheries to be
reintroduced into the area and / or possibly implementing fishery resource
enhancement measures. |
|
Residual Impacts |
·
The identified residual impact
occurring during the construction phase is the loss of approximately 0.16 ha of seabed required for the
construction of foundation for marine structures. ·
A total of 700 ha of habitat will
be closed to fishermen within and adjacent to the turbine array. ·
The availability of similar habitat
elsewhere will reduce the magnitude of this residual
impacts. ·
The adoption of appropriate
mitigation measures to manage navigational risks will also mean that the risk
to fishing vessels would be low. |
|
Compliance with EIAO-TM |
·
The assessment and the impacts are
acceptable and in compliance with the EIAO-TM
Annexes 9 and 17 and applicable
assessment standards/criteria. |
13.8
Landscape and Visual Impact
Table 13.6 presents a summary of the findings of the
assessment of impacts to the landscape and visual environment as a result of
the construction and operation of the proposed offshore wind farm. The details of the assessment are
presented in full in Section 11 of this EIA Report.
Table 13.6 Summary
of Environmental Assessment and Outcomes – Landscape & Visual
- LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL - |
|
|
Visually Sensitive Receivers (VSRs), Landscape Resources (LRs) and Landscape Character Areas (LCAs) |
·
Landscape Character Areas (LCAs) include LCA 1 Offshore Water Landscape, LCA 2 Inshore Water Landscape, LCA 3
Industrial Urban Landscape, LCA 4 Coastal Upland & Hillsides ·
Landscape Resources (LRs)
include LR 1 Seascape, LR2 Man made rocky sea wall, LR3 Industrial Area, LR4
Soft Landscape Areas, LR5 Mixed Shrubland, LR6 Pond
Area ·
Visually Sensitive Receivers include VSR
1 Lamma Island (Hung Shing
Ye beach), VSR 2 Lo So Shing Beach, VSR 3 Lamma Ferry Pier, VSR 4 Ferry to Cheung Chau, VSR 5 Cheung Chau, VSR 6
Discovery Bay, VSR 7 Silvermine Bay, VSR 8 Chi Ma
Wan Peninsula, VSR 9 Cheung Sha, VSR 10 Lantau Trail, VSR 11 The Peak, VSR 12 Queen Mary Hospital
and Mount Davis, VSR 13 Pauline Chan Bldg HKU, VSR 14 Stanley Waterfront, VSR
15 Wong Nai Chung gap and Violet Hill, VSR 16 Ocean
Park, VSR 17 Mt Stenhouse, VSR 18 Penny’s Bay, VSR
19 East Lamma Channel |
|
Key Environmental Problems Avoided / Environmental Outcomes |
·
Many sensitive VSRs
have been avoided by locating the wind farm offshore away from densely
populated areas. ·
As the wind farm is to be located
offshore, there will not be any significant impacts on any LCAs or LRs. |
|
Assessment Methodology and Criteria |
·
The methodology of the LVIA is based on Annexes 10 and 18 in the EIAO-TM)
under the EIA Ordinance (Cap.499,
S16) and applicable guidance notes. ·
The landscape assessment considers the
impact of the proposed development on the existing landscape and particularly
on the landscape character units within 500 m of the development site. ·
The visual assessment analyses the impact
of the proposed development on the existing views and the visual amenity,
particularly from the Visually Sensitive Receivers (VSR) within the viewshed. ·
In order to illustrate the visual impacts
of the proposed wind farm, photomontages prepared from selected viewpoints
compare the existing conditions with the view after construction. The residual impacts are evaluated
qualitatively, in accordance with the requirements of Annex 10 of the EIAO-TM. |
|
Key Outcomes |
·
There will be moderate unmitigated
impacts on LCA 1 Offshore Waters Landscape ·
There will be slight unmitigated impacts
on LCA 3 Industrial Urban Landscape ·
There will be negligible impacts on LCA 2
Inshore Waters Landscape and LCA
4 Coastal Upland and Hillside Landscape ·
There will be slight unmitigated impacts
on LR1 Seascape LR2 Man made rocky sea-wall LR3 Industrial Area LR4 Soft Landscape
areas and LR6 Pond ·
There will be negligible impacts on LR 5
Mixed Shrubland ·
There will be negligible visual impacts
on VSR 3 Lamma Ferry Pier VSR 14 Stanley Waterfront
and VSR 15 Wong Nai Chung gap and Violet Hill ·
There will be slight unmitigated visual
impacts on VSR 4 Ferry to Cheung Chau, VSR 8 Chi Ma
Wan Peninsula, VSR 9 Cheung Sha, VSR 10 Lantau Trail VSR 12 ·
There will be moderate unmitigated visual
impacts on VSR 1 Lamma Island (Hung Shing Ye beach), VSR 2 Lo So Shing
Beach, VSR 5 Cheung Chau, VSR 7 Silvermine
Bay, VSR 11 The Peak, VSR 18 Penny’s Bay and VSR 19
East Lamma Channel. ·
There will be significant unmitigated
visual impacts on VSR 17 Mt Stenhouse. |
|
Key Mitigation Measures |
Landscape mitigation measures are proposed to not only
further reduce the above impacts but to generally improve the amenity of the
development. LMM 1 – Tree and
Shrub Planting. All plant materials affected by the works
relating to the submarine cable landing are to be replaced with new plantings
to match the existing situation.
All planting of trees and shrubs is to be carried out in accordance
with the relevant best practice guidelines. Plant densities are to be provided in
future Detailed Design documents and are to be selected so as to achieve a
finished landscape that matches the surrounding, undisturbed, equivalent
landscape types. LMM 2 - Relocation. Established trees of value to be re-located where practically
feasible. LMM 3 – Site hoardings to be compatible with the
surrounding environment. Where
possible, site hoardings should be coloured to complement the surrounding
areas. Colours such as green and
light brown are recommended. LMM 4 – Reinstatement. Landscape resources affected by the onshore cable trench are to be
reinstated to match existing conditions. Due to the large scale of the wind turbines, visual
mitigation is constrained.
However, the following measures have been considered to reduce impacts. VMM1 Site
Selection. A
detailed site selection process has been undertaken. One of the key
considerations was to select a site that would minimise the potential visual
impacts associated with the Project.
Section 3 provides a
detailed analysis of the site selection process. VMM2 Array
Layout. The
array of wind turbines shown in this study is preliminary only. There is an opportunity to amend the
layout of the array to reduce the number of turbines visible for the most
sensitive viewpoints. It must be
noted that visual impacts are only one consideration when determining the
layout of the array. Changes to
the array are only possible when other technical details, such as suitable
sea bed, marine traffic and wind flow conditions are achievable. VMM3 Colours. Colour selection
must be in accordance with guidelines imposed by CAD,
however appropriate colours for the wind turbines should be selected to
reduce their visibility where technically feasible. VMM 4 Blade
Rotation. To create a
more harmonious visual pattern the blades for all turbines should rotate in
the same direction. |
|
Residual Impacts |
1.
There will be negligible residual construction impacts on LCAs
2 Inshore Waters Landscape and LCA 4 Coastal Upland and Hillside Landscape. 2.
There will be slight residual construction impacts LCA 3 Industrial Urban
Landscape. Approximately 2.78ha of this LCA will be affected during construction, however this area will be fully mitigated
with the adoption of the mitigation measures proposed, resulting in a
negligible residual construction impact. 3.
There will be moderate adverse residual construction impacts on LCA1 Offshore
Waters Landscape. Approximately 700ha of this LCA will be lost and can not be
mitigated. 4.
There will be negligible residual operational impacts on LCAs
2 Inshore Waters Landscape, 3 Industrial Urban Landscape and 4 Coastal 5.
There will be negligible residual construction and operation impacts on the
following LRs: ·
LR 2 Man made rocky sea-wall.
Approximately 0.001ha of this LR will be lost during construction; however
this will be fully mitigated with the adoption of the mitigation measures
proposed. ·
LR 3 Industrial Area. Approximately
0.02ha of this LR will be lost during construction; however this will be
fully mitigated with the adoption of the mitigation measures proposed. ·
LR 4 Soft Landscape areas. Approximately
0.001ha of this LR will be lost during construction; however this will be
fully mitigated with the adoption of the mitigation measures proposed. ·
LR 5 Mixed Shrubland.
There will be no impacts on this LR. ·
LR 6 Pond. There will be no impacts on
this LR. 6.
There will be slight residual
construction and operation impacts on LR1 Seascape as 0.16ha will be lost and
can not be mitigated. 7.
There will be negligible residual visual
impacts from VSR3 Lamma Ferry Pier, VSR 14 Stanley
Waterfront and VSR 15 Wong Nai Chung Gap and Violet
Hill. 8.
There will be slight residual visual impacts
from VSR1 Lamma Island (Hung Shing
Ye beach), VSR2 Lo So Shing Beach, VSR4 Ferry to
Cheung Chau, VSR 5 Cheung Chau,
VSR6 Discovery Bay, VSR 8 Chi Ma Wan Peninsula, VSR 9 Cheung Sha, VSR 10 Lantau Trail, VSR
12 Queen Mary Hospital and Mount Davis, VSR 13 Pok
Fu Lam - Pauline Chan Building at HKU, VSR16 Ocean Park, and VSR 18 Penny’s
Bay. 9.
Moderate residual visual impacts have
been identified at VSR7 Silvermine Bay (Mui Wo),
VSR11 The Peak, VSR 17 Mt Stenhouse and VSR 19 East
Lamma Channel. |
|
Compliance with EIAO-TM |
·
The assessment and the impacts are
considered acceptable with mitigation and in compliance with the EIAO-TM Annexes 10 and 18 and applicable assessment
standards/criteria. |
Table 13.7 presents a summary of the findings of the
assessment of impacts to cultural heritage as a result of the construction and
operation of the proposed offshore wind farm. The details of the assessment are
presented in full in Section 12 of
this EIA Report.
Table 13.7 Summary
of Environmental Assessment and Outcomes – Cultural Heritage
|
- CULTURAL HERITAGE - |
|
|
Sensitive Receivers |
·
No terrestrial sites of cultural
heritage importance have been identified; and ·
A Marine Archaeological Investigation
has identified a wreck site located 72 m west of the western extent of the
wind farm site. |
|
Key Environmental Problems Avoided /
Environmental Outcomes |
·
The siting
of the proposed wind farm and cable route has avoided known marine wreck sites. |
|
Assessment Methodology and Criteria |
·
The study methodology follows the
criteria and guidelines as stated in Annexes
10 and 19 of the EIAO-TM and the Guidelines for Cultural Heritage Impact Assessment (CHIA) and Guidelines for Marine Archaeological
Investigation (MAI) as stated EIA
Study Brief No. ESB-126/2005. ·
The baseline study included a
desktop literature review and field surveys, namely a Marine Archaeological
Investigation. |
|
Key Impacts |
·
One potential marine
archaeological site (SC001) was identified from a review of geophysical
data. This site is located
outside of any area of works and will not be directly or indirectly affected. The avoidance of direct impacts to the
shipwreck identified during the geophysical survey will be verified through
review of the final design prior to the installation of turbines and
submarine cable. Designs will be
checked to ensure that no works will occur within 50 m of the shipwreck.No impacts are therefore expected on marine
archaeological resources. |
|
Mitigations |
·
No impacts on terrestrial or marine
cultural heritage is expected and thus no mitigation measures are considered
necessary |
|
Residual Impacts |
· No
residual impact is expected. |
|
Compliance with EIAO-TM |
·
The assessment and the residual impacts
are acceptable and in compliance with the EIAO-TM
Annexes 10 and 19 and
applicable assessment standards and criteria. |
13.10
Summary of Environmental Outcomes
The above section summarises the key environmental
outcomes arising from the assessments completed in this EIA Report for the
proposed offshore wind farm. The
assessment has demonstrated that for all environmental components, residual
impacts are acceptable and in compliance with the EIAO-TM and applicable assessment standards and criteria.
HK Electric has conducted consultations and
engagement with project stakeholders to hear their views on the project plan
while at the same time, addressing their concerns. These stakeholders include representatives from fishermen groups, green groups, District Councillors, Rural Committees Members, government advisory committee Members,
various Government Departments, learned institutions, industry practitioners
and members of the public. The
feedback from these consultations has been considered in the preparation of
this EIA Study Report.
Table 13.8 below provides a summary of the
Stakeholder Engagement Record detailing the organizations and parties that HK
Electric has consulted with regard to the proposed offshore wind farm project.
Table 13.8 Stakeholder
Engagement Record
|
Meeting |
Date |
Organization |
|
1 |
24 Apr 2007 |
Civil Aviation
Department officials |
|
2 |
2 May 2007 |
Marine
Department officials |
|
3 |
17 Apr 2008 |
Civil Aviation
Department officials |
|
4 |
29
Apr 2008 |
Sky
Shuttle Limited |
|
5 |
21 May 2008 |
Marine
Department officials |
|
6 |
29 May 2008 |
Agriculture, Fisheries
and Conservation Department officials |
|
7 |
27 Sep 2008 |
Customer
Liaison Group |
|
8 |
17
Oct 2008 |
Presentation
for 2008 |
|
9 |
6
Jan 2009 |
1st
International Conference on Applied Energy ICEA ’09 |
|
10 |
10 Jan 2009 |
Customer
Liaison Group officials |
|
11 |
5 May 2009 |
Civil Aviation
Department |
|
12 |
11 Nov 2009 |
Chairman
and Vice-chairman of Southern District Council |
|
13 |
11 Nov 2009 |
Legislative
Council member |
|
14 |
24 Nov 2009 |
Energy Advisory
Committee member |
|
15 |
25 Nov 2009 |
Chairman and Vice-chairman of |
|
Chairman of |
||
|
Islands
District Council member |
||
|
16 |
25 Nov 2009 |
CEO
of WWF – Hong Kong |
|
17 |
26 Nov 2009 |
Representatives of Hong Kong Fishery |
|
18 |
26 Nov 2009 |
Energy Advisory
Committee member |
|
19 |
2 Dec 2009 |
CEO
of Green Power |
|
20 |
2 Dec 2009 |
Islands
District Council members |
|
21 |
16 Dec 2009 |
Director
and Environmental Affairs Manager of Friends of the Earth ( |
|
22 |
17 Dec 2009 |
Vice
-chairman of The Hong Kong Bird Watching Society |
|
23 |
25 Jan 2010 (Planned) |
Acting Chief Executive of Conservancy Association |
|
24 |
26 Jan 2010 (Planned) |
CEO of Business Environment Council |
|
25 |
27 Jan 2010 (Planned) |
Climate and Energy Campaigners, Greenpeace
|
Majority of the
consultees welcomed HK Electric’s proposed
development of an offshore wind farm in
Table 13.9 Incorporation
of Stakeholder Feedback into EIA
|
Issues |
How it was addressed |
|
Why do we need
to develop the wind farm of this scale?
|
The 100MW
offshore wind farm in southwest Lamma is adequate to
produce 170 million kWh of electricity, which is equivalent to around 1 to
1.5% of HK Electric’s annual unit
sales. This can meet the annual consumption
for 50,000 households in |
|
Why has HK Electric decided to build an offshore wind farm, and off Why HK Electric does not consider building an onshore wind farm on Po Toi Island? |
Given the
scarcity of land resource in Result of a
territory wide site search study has confirmed Lamma
offshore wind farm has the advantage of being in proximity to Lamma
Power Station with respect to cabling, connection with onshore grid and
construction as well as subsequent operational and maintenance logistics. HK Electric carried out wind monitoring in Po Toi
Island in 2000. Results indicated that wind resource is not adequate to
support development of a large scale wind farm. Furthermore, the land
resources and ecological considerations suggested development of an onshore
wind farm in Po Toi island being not feasible. |
|
Two wind farms are being planned in |
HK Electric
believes it should avoid constructing another offshore wind farm next to the CLP’s development to eliminate any potential for
cumulative environmental impact.
In addition, it can avoid adding additional visual impact in the
Eastern offshore site which has already aroused much public attention. Should HK Electric
builds its offshore wind farm next of CLP, a longer submarine cable will be
required for connection to HK Electric’s grid which is not preferred from
environmental and cost considerations (see Section 3.6.2 - Review of Offshore Potential Development Areas, sub-section Distance to Connect to HK Electric Grid). |
|
Will the wind farm
affect aviation and marine routes? |
Preliminary
Marine Traffic Impact Assessment has been conducted to assess the impact on
marine traffic due to existence of the offshore wind farm. As a result, the current wind farm site boundary is
recommended to avoid areas
with heavy marine traffic (see Section
3.6.2 - Review of Offshore Potential Development Areas, sub-section Shipping and Navigation). HK Electric is
in close liaison with Civil Aviation Department to ensure the offshore wind
farm brings no impact to aviation safety (see Section 3.6.2 - Review of Offshore Potential Development Areas, sub-section
Aviation). |
|
Will the development of the offshore wind farm affect water quality in
the region? Can water quality monitoring be carried out during construction
stage? |
Environmental Monitoring & Audit will be carried out before,
during and after the construction stage to monitoring water quality closely. |
|
How will the construction
of offshore wind farm
affect the fishing industry? Upon the commissioning of the wind farm, would
vessels be allowed to enter the wind farm boundary? |
It is estimated
that the foundation of wind towers will occupy 0.16 ha of fishing ground,
which is equivalent to 0.0001% of the entire area of A Fisheries Management Plan will
be developed for the wind farm area and HK Electric will study in
consultation with the fishing sector whether fishing operations is desirable/feasible within the wind farm area. |
|
The wind farm might reduce the fishery catches in the
vicinity area. Will HK
Electric consider compensation? |
HK Electric is mindful of
feedbacks from our stakeholders including fishermen. We will maintain close dialogue with the
fishermen during the course of the wind farm development. We are
prepared to listen to fishermen’s concerns. It is envisaged that the
potential for increased fish production and aggregation through the provision
of new hard substratum and protected waters within the wind farm area during
operational phase may lead to overall benefits for fisheries (see Section 10.5.2 – Operation Phase,
sub-section Long Term Changes in
Benthic Habitat). |
|
|
|
|
Will HK Electric do anything to help promote the wind farm as a
tourist attraction? |
We believe the offshore wind farm will attract visitors to |
|
Would there be
a safety navigation zone at the periphery of the wind farm boundary? |
HK Electric
will make reference to international practice and discuss with relevant
government departments on such requirement if necessary (see Section 10.7.3 –Mitigation Measures,
sub-section Vessel Navigation Measures). |
|
Does HK Electric have any other wind farm plans? |
If the project
is successful and well received by the general public, we will not rule out the possibility of developing more wind farm projects in |
|
Considering the cost involved in developing the offshore wind farm and
its output efficiency, not sure if the project is worth. |
HK Electric supports the development and application of renewable
energy in |
|
|
|
|
Is it feasible to transmit electricity to |
Comparing with
investing in wind farms overseas or in the mainland, developing a wind farm
in |