This document discusses policies for sustainable energy and community involvement in energy projects. It notes that planning policies must support the transition to low carbon economies. Benefits of renewable energy projects do not automatically outweigh all planning concerns. There has been an increased emphasis on renewable energy and community benefits through initiatives like allowing communities to invest in and profit from local energy infrastructure projects. Neighborhood plans can help communities shape energy agendas and support community-owned renewable projects and local energy markets.
8. • Section 19 of the P&CP
Act 2004 – policies to
secure contribution
towards climate change
mitigation/adaptation
Part of test of soundness
for Plans.
9. • Support transition to low
carbon economy
• Have positive strategies
• Support community
initiatives
• Responsibility of all
communities
10. • 23 GW installed
• Peaked just under 18% of UK supply
• Just over 5% total energy
• 2.1 GW in planning
2020 2020 - 25 2030
11. • Benefits do not automatically outweigh planning
concerns of communities (July 2013)
• Secretary of State recovering appeals (Oct 2013 &
April 2014 – 18 months)
• Compulsory pre-app for wind projects (Dec 2013)
• Community benefit best practice (Oct 2014)
• Community Electricity Right (Infrastructure Act 2015)
• Changing emphasis to renewable energy
within the planning system?
12.
13. Can we give people that
host the infrastructure that
will get us towards a low
carbon economy a
meaningful opportunity to
invest and share the
benefits?
COMMUNITY
14. • Increased local revenue retention
• Control over community income streams
• Community empowerment
• Opportunity to reduce fuel bills through
renewables
• Move towards Local Energy Markets
Cornwall can retain £350m/yr
in the local economy with a
local energy market…
15. • NPPF supports community-led initiatives.
• NPPG – do the above because of the benefits for the
communities.
• Local & Neighbourhood Plans key to delivery:
• Encouraging community/municipality owned energy;
• Promotes local generation linked to local consumption (co-
location, smart energy & local energy supply);
• Framework which enables local people to capture the
maximum benefits from their energy system.
16.
17. • Particular support for:
• Conceived / promoted by community
& deliver long term benefits that are
inclusive & accessible to all
• Can be wholly-owned or JV
• Priority to asset ownership
(investment, surplus and asset
control)
• Supports post construction buy out
• Governance key to securing benefits
18. • Neighbourhood Plans offer an opportunity for
communities to shape this agenda for themselves.
• Embed Smart Energy and LEM
• Solution means communities
and developers have space to
make money together.
http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/media/7620382/renewable-energy-guide-note.pdf
A new government
The prospect of an EU climate change framework for 2030.
Falling energy prices?
The first planning permission for shale gas?
19 independent suppliers at beginning of 2015 (up from 7 in 2010).
19 independent suppliers at the end of 2014 (up form 7 in 2010 with a 6 fold increase in market share).
Some disruptive players offering increasingly different packages for customers and communities.
Link between renewable energy generation and energy supply is growing.
Secretary of State announced that he would temporarily expand the criteria for recovering planning appeals for his own determination to include appeals for renewable energy development. NPPF Select Committee – not necessarily wrong, but creating a problem around investment.
In July 2013 the Government published Planning practice guidance for renewable and low carbon energy. This was replaced in March 2014 by online planning practice guidance on renewable and low carbon energy.
June 2013 - Gov announced that it would make pre-application consultation compulsory for the “more significant onshore wind applications”. Enacted in December 2013, through the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure and Section 62A Applications (England) (Amendment) Order 2013 (SI 2932).