Wind industry welcomes 800 MW target for onshore wind and gives cautious welcome to new planning framework

BWEA today welcomed the Welsh Assembly Government’s 800 megawatts (MW) onshore wind target published in TAN8, their new national planning policy statement on renewable energy. While welcoming the target for wind, the industry will be seeking clarification on how the target can be met from the seven strategic areas and the wider planning framework. While the wind industry is ready and willing to deliver the targets, it has a number of concerns about today’s announcement. Critically, a number of projects in development could now be excluded as they fall outside the seven strategic areas and are larger than the than 5 MW (2 or 3 turbines) threshold adopted in TAN8. Another concern relates to the deliverability of the target from the seven adopted strategic areas.

A Welsh policy has been some years in coming and BWEA, despite its reservations, is encouraged by today’s announcement. The industry will work constructively with the Assembly and their officials in delivering the 800 MW onshore wind target. This will undoubtedly mean reviewing progress on a regular basis. Chris Tomlinson, Head of Onshore Wind at BWEA said: "The final publication of TAN8 is a welcome first step in delivering the target for onshore wind development in Wales by 2010 and helping the UK meet its overall climate and renewable energy commitments. Delivering 800 MW of wind energy is well within reach for our established industry but we must wait and see whether the new planning approach can deliver. To this end, the Welsh Assembly Government must review progress on a regular basis and if necessary, adapt the planning framework to ensure the target is delivered on time." Technical Advice Note 8 – Renewable Energy Planning Policy Guidance for Wales
is available to download from http://www.wales.gov.uk/subiplanning/content/tans/tan08/newtan8/tan8-e.htm