Australia: Carnegie Secures Environmental and Maritime Safety Approvals for PWEP

Wave energy developer, Carnegie Wave Energy Limited, announced that it has secured environmental and maritime safety approvals for its Perth Wave Energy Project (PWEP).

Over the last two years, Carnegie has undertaken extensive environmental impact assessment of all elements of the PWEP using a combination of in-house expertise and external consultants. Two environmental management plans, covering marine and terrestrial elements, have been completed, applying industry best practice to ensure that any potential impacts are minimal and confined to the smallest possible areas. These have been supplemented by detailed surveys and assessment of seabed habitat, marine fauna, onshore and offshore terrain and coastal processes.

The marine elements of the PWEP were referred by Carnegie to the WA Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) under Part IV of the Environmental Protection Act 1986. On Monday, 10 December 2012, the EPA announced an outcome of ‘Not assessed: public advice given’ noting that “potential impacts not significant and can be managed under Marine Environmental Management Plan and through other government processes.”

Maritime safety approvals related to the deployment and operation of the CETO units and offshore pipelines were also received from the WA Department of Transport in August 2012.

Onshore environmental approvals for the PWEP have been provided by the Department of Defence through an Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC). The ECC was issued on 28 November 2012, noting that “the proposal has been assessed and is considered not likely to cause any significant environmental impacts on the environment, in particular under the EPBC Act with respect to matters of national significance and Sections 26–28 relating to actions by Commonwealth agencies and impacting on Commonwealth land.”

Carnegie’s Project Development Officer, Mr Tim Sawyer, said, “We’re very pleased with the outcome following our commitment to carry out our environmental management to the highest standards, supported by extensive and ongoing community consultation”.

Carnegie’s CEO, Dr. Michael Ottaviano, said, “Carnegie has designed CETO with zero visual impact and to be as environmentally friendly as possible. We are pleased to receive these key approvals which allow construction to begin in Quarter 1, 2013”.

The Perth Project is on track for completion of detailed design by the end of 2012.

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Press release, December 11, 2012; Image: carnegiewave