Offshore renewables decommissioning guidance for industry: proposed updates

The date for responses has been extended to 16 March to ensure we capture as many views on the draft guidance notes as possible in determining the final version of the document.

We’re seeking views on a series of proposed updates to our guidance for industry on decommissioning of offshore renewable energy installations under the Energy Act 2004.

This consultation applies to England and Wales, but we welcome responses from organisations based elsewhere who have views on how the proposed changes may impact the offshore renewable energy industry.

The last version of this guidance was published in 2011, and sections now need to be updated. This update focuses in particular on issues relating to the provision of decommissioning cost estimates and associated financial security, to assist and inform developers.

We want views on this first draft from industry, regulators, and other interested parties, on the potential impacts - for example on the offshore renewables sector, the environment, or on other users of the sea. We are also testing early ideas on future updates to our guidance that require further development before being incorporated.

Finally, we are interested in hearing from those organisations impacted by decommissioning about their experiences of the regime to date.