#2026/508New habitat compensation rules for UK offshore wind projects
AI-generated summary for informational purposes only. Not legal advice. See the original source for the authoritative text.
This law creates a separate compensation framework for offshore wind projects that may harm protected habitats or species sites but are still allowed to proceed. It amends the 2017 habitat conservation rules so that relevant offshore wind plans and projects are handled under a new, dedicated regulation instead of the general compensation rule. The practical impact is on offshore wind developers, regulators, environmental advisers, and public bodies involved in consenting projects. Projects that pass the public-interest test despite negative environmental assessments will need to follow the new compensation process, which is meant to support offshore wind delivery while still requiring measures to address damage to protected sites.
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Key Changes
- Creates a dedicated compensatory measures rule for relevant offshore wind plans and projects
- Excludes relevant offshore wind projects from the existing general compensation rule in the 2017 habitat regulations
- Clarifies that certain habitat compliance duties do not apply to functions carried out under the new offshore wind compensation rule
Obligations
What this law requires
For a relevant offshore wind plan or project that is agreed to under regulation 64 despite an adverse assessment, compensatory measures must be handled under the new regulation 68ZA framework rather than the general regulation 68 compensatory-measures rule.
Regulators and consenting bodies must treat regulation 68 as inapplicable to relevant offshore wind plans or projects when determining compensatory measures for protected habitats or species sites.