Offshore wind development: library of strategic compensatory measures

As an offshore wind developer, you can use strategic compensatory measures (SCMs) for your derogation case aswhen partapplying offor:

• a your development consent order
• a and marine licence applications.
  application
• a consent under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989

You must provide compensatory measures in your derogation case where:

• an adverse effect cannot be ruled out on a protected feature in a marine protected area (MPA)
• you cannot avoid, reduce or mitigate the adverse effect
• there is an overriding public interest for the development to proceed

The derogation process is set out in the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 and the Conservation of Offshore Marine Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 (Habitats Regulations). It is also set out under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (MACAAMCAA).

Compensatory measures provide ecological compensation when protected sites are adversely affected by offshore wind development.developments. In this guidance, ‘compensatory measures’ refers to both:

• compensatory measures under the Habitats Regulations
• measures of equivalent environmental benefit (MEEB) under MACAAMCAA

About strategic compensatory measures

StrategicSCMs compensatorycan measuresaddress allow environmental considerationsimpacts to be addressed at a more strategic level, across several offshore wind development projects.

StrategicSCMs compensatory measures can deliver compensation:

• at scale
• over extended timeframes
• across multiple offshore wind projects
• to a single project with multiple adverse effects

These measures help:

• help speed up offshore wind decisions
• decisions. They also help projects in the consenting process that do not currently have compensatory options to secure ecologically meaningful compensation.

  You can deliver most SCMs either yourself or through the Marine Recovery Fund (MRF). However, for some SCMs, you must use the MRF.

  Check an SCM’s entry in the library below to find out if it:

  • is currently available for delivery through the MRF
  • can only be delivered through the MRF

  Read guidance on how to apply to use the MRF.

  Library of strategic compensatory measures

  The development of the library of strategic compensatory measures is led by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), in collaboration with other stakeholders.

  All measures in the library of strategic compensatory measures are:

  • suitable to compensate for specific adverse effects on MPAs
  • approved by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

  Currently, there are 3 measures in the library:

  • MPA designation and/or extension – for adverse effects on the seabed (benthic habitats)
  • offshore artificial nesting structures – for adverse effects on kittiwakes
  • predator reduction – for adverse effects on seabirds

  Defra will update this page when new measures are approved for the library.library or become available for delivery through the MRF. You can sign up to get emails when there are updates to this page.page.

  AdverseCompensating for adverse effects on the seabed (benthic habitats)

  MPA designation and/or extension

  AsThis setmeasure outis incurrently aavailable writtenfor ministerialdelivery statement,through thisthe MRF.

  This measure is designed to provide strategic compensation for unavoidable damage to seabed (benthic) habitats from eligiblerelevant offshore wind projects.activities.

  This strategic compensatory measure will:SCM:

  • can only be developeddelivered bythrough Defrathe MRF
  • will designate new MPAs and/or extend existing MPAs (including adding protected features to existing sites) in SecretaryEnglish of State waters

  Defra and their stakeholders have started a programme of work to designate the right types of habitats, while balancing the needs of marine usersusers. as appropriate. This willincludes include gathering evidence and engaging with affected industries and communities.

  Defra willplans publishto informationconsult on how potential compensatory MPAs havebefore beenthe identifiedend andof selected.2026.

  Defra planshas topublished consultinformation on how potential compensatory MPAs beforehave thebeen endidentified ofand 2026.selected.

  Adverse

  Defra effectshas onproduced seabirds

  Offshorean artificialimplementation nestingand structuresmonitoring plan for kittiwakes

  OffshoreMPA artificialdesignation nestingand/or structuresextension. (ANS)You arecan independentrequest marinea structurescopy designedby toemailing housemrf@defra.gov.uk.

  MRF seabirdscost: andMPA providedesignation nestingand/or sitesextension

  The suitableSCM forcharge numerousto breedingaccess pairs.this Theymeasure canthrough increasethe breedingMRF numbersis and£63,131 reproductiveper successkm² inof areasbenthic whereimpact naturalper nestyear sites(plus areVAT). unsuitablePrices orwill unavailable.be adjusted based on inflation.

  This strategicis compensatoryan measureinterim charge for the first 3 to 5 years of your payment period. For the remainder of your contract period, the charge will onlybe based on your offshore wind activity’s level of benthic impact. You and the MRF Operator will agree the maximum amount to be available:paid when you sign the MRF contract.

  • Defra will use the charge to compensaterecover its budgeted costs for adversethe effectsMPA ondesignation kittiwakesand/or extension SCM.

    The budget covers the cost of:

    • making the designations
    • ingetting Englishconservation watersadvice
    • formonitoring projectsand upmanaging the new MPA network

    These activities are needed to make sure that sites designated for compensatory purposes are meeting their conservation objectives.

    You must also pay an adaptive management charge and includingan offshoreadministration windfee leasingto Rounduse 4

  the MRF. For more information on these costs, read the guidance on how to apply to use the MRF.

  Compensating for adverse effects on seabirds

  Predator reduction

  This strategicmeasure compensatoryis measurenot currently available for delivery through the MRF.

  This SCM includes:

  • eradication of mammalian predators from island colonies
  • control and exclusion of predators from mainland nesting areas
  • subsequent biosecurity monitoring and incursion response

  Predator reduction has been approved for use by offshore wind activities consented in English and Welsh waters. Defra is identifying the prioritised target locations for this measure.

  Using

  Defra strategichas compensatoryproduced measures

  Usingan theimplementation Marineand Recoverymonitoring Fund

  Strategicplan compensatoryfor measuresthe willstrategic bedelivery deliveredof throughpredator thereduction. MarineYou Recoverycan Fundrequest (MRF),a whichcopy should become operational by theemailing endmrf@defra.gov.uk.

  Offshore ofartificial 2025.nesting Applicantsstructures willfor makekittiwakes

  This ameasure paymentis ornot paymentscurrently toavailable thefor fund.delivery Afterthrough this, the MRF.

  Offshore operatorartificial willnesting bestructures responsibleare forindependent delivering,marine maintaining,structures monitoring,designed decommissioning,to house seabirds and implementingprovide anynesting adaptivesites management.

  Beforesuitable thefor MRFnumerous becomesbreeding operational

  Forpairs. informationThey oncan usingincrease strategicbreeding compensatorynumbers measuresand beforereproductive thesuccess MRFin becomesareas operational,where younatural should:nest sites are unsuitable or unavailable.

  • read

    This theSCM interimwill guidanceonly onbe strategicavailable compensatoryfor measuresuse forby offshore wind activities,activities:

    • that whichcompensate explainsfor howadverse toeffects referon tokittiwakes
    • consented strategicin compensatoryin measuresEnglish beforewaters
    • up theto MRFand becomesincluding operational
    • emailoffshore mrf@defra.gov.ukwind forleasing adviceRound 4

    Contact us

    If you have any questions, email offshorewind@defra.gov.ukmrf@defra.gov.uk.