NEWS
Welcome first step in resolving planning delays
Thursday 9 November 2006
Today’s launch of a consultation on new rules for planning
inquiries for large-scale electricity projects has been warmly
welcomed by the British Wind Energy Association (BWEA).
The rapidly growing onshore wind industry will be the single
greatest contributor to Government’s targets for renewables
by 2010, but many thousands of megawatts of potential new
wind capacity are being unduly delayed in the planning system
- over 5% of UK electricity supplies are currently awaiting
planning decisions from this one technology alone.
Commenting on today’s news, BWEA’s Director of
Operations Chris Tomlinson said:
“This is a very welcome first step in what has become
an issue of increasing concern for the sector. While we are
pleased to see this progress on the inquiries process, this
does need to be matched by complementary measures to speed
up decision making at both local and section 36 level.”
2006 has been another record breaking year for the onshore
wind sector, but this rapid progress – vital in delivering
on Government’s targets for renewables – could
grind to a halt if a consistent level of planning decisions
cannot be maintained at the local level. Targets designed
to meet 10% of our electricity from renewable energy sources
must be accompanied by targets for timely decision-making:
one is dependent on the other.”
The onshore wind industry has proved it can deliver on a large
scale but decisions must be made by December 2007 - at the
latest - in order to build projects in time to meet the 10%
target by 2010. The UK Government needs to lead by example,
demonstrating its desire and commitment to meet its renewable
energy target through encouraging prompt action in decision-making.
In turn, this will allow the ground breaking onshore wind
industry to signal the UK as a buoyant and sustainable renewable
energy market, building investor confidence for a long-term
renewables future.
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