11/06/2007
BWEA Parliamentary Briefing
The UK is facing a looming power crisis. Over the next 15-20 years up to a third of our domestic electricity supply capacity will have to be retired as the older generation of nuclear and fossil fuelled power stations reach the end of their lives. The new EU target of sourcing 20 % of all energy supplies from renewables by 2020 provides a firm deadline, but as yet there is no clear route map for achieving it.
Only renewable energy, and in particular wind, wave and tidal power has the capacity to meet the looming energy gap within the required time span. Nuclear will take too long to build and an expansion of gas would increase dependence on imports from the former Soviet states and risk substantially increasing the UK's carbon emissions.
The wind industry is confident that it can generate around 27 % of anticipated electricity demand in 2020, from the installation of up to 34,000 megawatts (MW) of generating capacity. Up to now, the UK wind industry has installed more than 2,000 MW of capacity, but there is almost 6,000 MW either under construction or soon to 'break ground', including the 1,000 from the recently consented London Array, the world's largest offshore wind farm. However, a further 10,000 MW (7.5 % of UK electricity demand) remain in the planning system awaiting determination and there are a number of major policy obstacles which are undermining the industry's ability to deliver large scale wind energy generation in the UK:
* The planning system is not dealing effectively with wind energy. Over 200 planning applications for onshore wind farms are currently stuck in the planning system, some for over 4 years. This represents 8,000 MW of capacity, over half of which is in Scotland, and which is equivalent to 6 % of the UK's current electricity supply.
* The current system of offshore site awards and consents is too lengthy and uncertain, discouraging investment. The next round of Government site awards will not happen until 2010 (the last was in 2003), with the Strategic Environmental Assessment process likely to take at least two years, while the current consents procedure adds delay and confusion to the process.
* Planning for connection to the grid is disjointed from planning for generation. The National Grid cannot currently invest in upgrading connection and cabling for new wind farms until generators are able to underwrite its costs, potentially delaying planning for connection for over 6 years. Delays in the planning system can mean that even after connection is agreed it can take up to 10 years to win approval and then build the necessary transmission lines. BWEA supports a synchronised applications and consents process for inclusion in the Planning Bill to expedite the decision making process for both the renewable energy projects and the necessary grid connection and grid infrastructure consents that are required to allow project delivery.
* The Renewable Obligation is due to end in 2027. This will cause investment to tail off after 2015, so it is imperative that new arrangements are made for the sector rather than have the RO end suddenly. Given the huge boost to UK renewable electricity targets that the EU 20 % target should bring, the RO will need extension in any case; the UK Government should make plain its intention in this regard at the earliest opportunity.
BWEA has been engaging with Government on these issues, and part of the response has been that new legislation is necessary. There are a number of Bills proposed in the Queen's Speech which could have a significant impact on the UK's wind, wave and tidal sectors. It should be noted that these are necessary but not sufficient to build a strong renewable energy sector in the UK, and given the time taken to pass and implement them, they will not address short-term issues.
Climate Change Bill
BWEA welcomes the Climate Change Bill. However, we believe that in order to meet the statutory targets outlined in the Bill the Government needs to enable consumers to reduce their carbon emissions by using sustainable forms of energy. If 25% of the UK's electricity were supplied by wind this would result in a reduction in the UK's CO2 emissions of about 8 %. BWEA believes that the Bill should:
* Place existing targets for renewable energy, such as 10 % by 2010, on a statutory footing.
Energy Bill
The Energy Bill provides a strong opportunity to ensure that Britain is able to bridge the emerging gap in electricity generation and place sustainability at the heart of the energy policy agenda. In particular the Bill should:
* Reform Ofgem's remit to promote sustainability as an equal priority with price control, which would enable National Grid to strategically invest in upgrading connection and cabling.
* Extend the life of the Renewables Obligation beyond 2027, or outline alternative support mechanisms.
Planning Reform Bill
BWEA welcomes measures which streamline the process for approving wind farm applications. However, the Bill as outlined is largely irrelevant to the onshore wind industry, as it only effects planning applications of over 50MW in England and Wales, which represent only 300 MW out of the current 8,000 MW backlog. The Bill also provides a good opportunity to unify the dual approvals process for offshore renewables. In order to drive forward increases in renewables, the Bill should:
* Enable the Secretary of State to refer wind farm applications below the 50MW threshold to the new Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC)
* Remove the 100MW threshold for offshore renewables projects to be considered by the IPC, so that all offshore renewable energy projects are considered by the IPC
* Place the proposed National Policy Statements on a statutory footing, in order to strongly guide local authorities, which will still be making the majority of decisions on onshore wind farms
Draft Marine Bill
The Draft Marine Bill will set out the future management of the UK's offshore environment. The Draft Bill proposes establishing a Marine Management Organisation (MMO) to oversee UK waters. It currently envisages that the MMO having responsibility for approving all offshore electricity generation applications under 100 MW, with the Infrastructure Planning Commission taking responsibility for those above this threshold. Under this arrangement the emerging wave and tidal industry would sit under a different regulatory regime from other offshore renewables. With no clear energy remit, BWEA is concerned that the MMO will not give marine renewables the priority they should get, in line with their strategic national importance.
The Draft Marine Bill should:
* Leave the proposed IPC, to be established under the Planning Bill, to decide applications for wave and tidal energy, alongside wind
For more information please contact:
Charles Anglin, Director of Communications, Tel: 020 7689 1966
e-mail: charles@bwea.com
Nick Medic, Communications Manager, Tel: 020 7689 1935
e-mail: nick@bwea.com
Only renewable energy, and in particular wind, wave and tidal power has the capacity to meet the looming energy gap within the required time span. Nuclear will take too long to build and an expansion of gas would increase dependence on imports from the former Soviet states and risk substantially increasing the UK's carbon emissions.
The wind industry is confident that it can generate around 27 % of anticipated electricity demand in 2020, from the installation of up to 34,000 megawatts (MW) of generating capacity. Up to now, the UK wind industry has installed more than 2,000 MW of capacity, but there is almost 6,000 MW either under construction or soon to 'break ground', including the 1,000 from the recently consented London Array, the world's largest offshore wind farm. However, a further 10,000 MW (7.5 % of UK electricity demand) remain in the planning system awaiting determination and there are a number of major policy obstacles which are undermining the industry's ability to deliver large scale wind energy generation in the UK:
* The planning system is not dealing effectively with wind energy. Over 200 planning applications for onshore wind farms are currently stuck in the planning system, some for over 4 years. This represents 8,000 MW of capacity, over half of which is in Scotland, and which is equivalent to 6 % of the UK's current electricity supply.
* The current system of offshore site awards and consents is too lengthy and uncertain, discouraging investment. The next round of Government site awards will not happen until 2010 (the last was in 2003), with the Strategic Environmental Assessment process likely to take at least two years, while the current consents procedure adds delay and confusion to the process.
* Planning for connection to the grid is disjointed from planning for generation. The National Grid cannot currently invest in upgrading connection and cabling for new wind farms until generators are able to underwrite its costs, potentially delaying planning for connection for over 6 years. Delays in the planning system can mean that even after connection is agreed it can take up to 10 years to win approval and then build the necessary transmission lines. BWEA supports a synchronised applications and consents process for inclusion in the Planning Bill to expedite the decision making process for both the renewable energy projects and the necessary grid connection and grid infrastructure consents that are required to allow project delivery.
* The Renewable Obligation is due to end in 2027. This will cause investment to tail off after 2015, so it is imperative that new arrangements are made for the sector rather than have the RO end suddenly. Given the huge boost to UK renewable electricity targets that the EU 20 % target should bring, the RO will need extension in any case; the UK Government should make plain its intention in this regard at the earliest opportunity.
BWEA has been engaging with Government on these issues, and part of the response has been that new legislation is necessary. There are a number of Bills proposed in the Queen's Speech which could have a significant impact on the UK's wind, wave and tidal sectors. It should be noted that these are necessary but not sufficient to build a strong renewable energy sector in the UK, and given the time taken to pass and implement them, they will not address short-term issues.
Climate Change Bill
BWEA welcomes the Climate Change Bill. However, we believe that in order to meet the statutory targets outlined in the Bill the Government needs to enable consumers to reduce their carbon emissions by using sustainable forms of energy. If 25% of the UK's electricity were supplied by wind this would result in a reduction in the UK's CO2 emissions of about 8 %. BWEA believes that the Bill should:
* Place existing targets for renewable energy, such as 10 % by 2010, on a statutory footing.
Energy Bill
The Energy Bill provides a strong opportunity to ensure that Britain is able to bridge the emerging gap in electricity generation and place sustainability at the heart of the energy policy agenda. In particular the Bill should:
* Reform Ofgem's remit to promote sustainability as an equal priority with price control, which would enable National Grid to strategically invest in upgrading connection and cabling.
* Extend the life of the Renewables Obligation beyond 2027, or outline alternative support mechanisms.
Planning Reform Bill
BWEA welcomes measures which streamline the process for approving wind farm applications. However, the Bill as outlined is largely irrelevant to the onshore wind industry, as it only effects planning applications of over 50MW in England and Wales, which represent only 300 MW out of the current 8,000 MW backlog. The Bill also provides a good opportunity to unify the dual approvals process for offshore renewables. In order to drive forward increases in renewables, the Bill should:
* Enable the Secretary of State to refer wind farm applications below the 50MW threshold to the new Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC)
* Remove the 100MW threshold for offshore renewables projects to be considered by the IPC, so that all offshore renewable energy projects are considered by the IPC
* Place the proposed National Policy Statements on a statutory footing, in order to strongly guide local authorities, which will still be making the majority of decisions on onshore wind farms
Draft Marine Bill
The Draft Marine Bill will set out the future management of the UK's offshore environment. The Draft Bill proposes establishing a Marine Management Organisation (MMO) to oversee UK waters. It currently envisages that the MMO having responsibility for approving all offshore electricity generation applications under 100 MW, with the Infrastructure Planning Commission taking responsibility for those above this threshold. Under this arrangement the emerging wave and tidal industry would sit under a different regulatory regime from other offshore renewables. With no clear energy remit, BWEA is concerned that the MMO will not give marine renewables the priority they should get, in line with their strategic national importance.
The Draft Marine Bill should:
* Leave the proposed IPC, to be established under the Planning Bill, to decide applications for wave and tidal energy, alongside wind
For more information please contact:
Charles Anglin, Director of Communications, Tel: 020 7689 1966
e-mail: charles@bwea.com
Nick Medic, Communications Manager, Tel: 020 7689 1935
e-mail: nick@bwea.com
- Source:
- BWEA
- Author:
- Nick Medic
- Email:
- Info@bwea.com
- Link:
- www.bwea.com/...
