Aug 2011 – Local Planning for Renewable Energy
In July 2011 the Department of Energy and Climate Change published the UK Renewable Energy Roadmap, outlining how the 2020 targets can be reached. The Roadmap focuses on eight technologies that have the greatest potential
The ambition for renewable energy
The UK has a target to generate 15% of its energy from renewable sources by 2020. Offshore sources, particularly offshore wind, will play a significant role in this but the majority of renewable electricity and heat will need to be generated from onshore sources. Whilst in England the planning system is undergoing significant reform, local planning authorities continue to have a significant role in promoting low carbon and renewable energy (as currently set out in PPS1 and PPS22). There are further clues about the future direction for planning for renewable energy and low carbon development in the draft proposals for the National Planning Policy Framework put forward by the Practitioners Advisory Group.
In the meantime there are real concerns about recent rates of deployment of renewable energy, particularly onshore wind. Further urgent action is signalled in the Government’s Committee on Climate Change in its Renewable Energy Review published in May 2011.
A new evidence base on renewable energy capacity
The evidence base setting out the future potential for wind, biomass, small hydropower and microgeneration across England has recently been improved through a series of renewable energy capacity studies. SQW led the development of the original capacity assessment methodology and undertook studies in the Northwest, West Midlands and East Midlands, for example.
This evidence can now be used and built upon to strengthen policies and facilitate improved uptake and deployment locally. Ultimately this will enable local authorities and communities to play to their strengths in terms of the local mix of renewable energy sources available.
What should local authorities do next?
Renewable energy resource potential is quite different in different places and local planning authorities will have varying imperatives in terms of the preparation of local development plan documents and other activities. SQW therefore offers a flexible approach to supporting authorities through advice/training, activities to address specific evidence needs and policy development or an integrated package of work. For example:
Generating a realistic deployment pathway and level of ambition for 2020/2030
Using our RE:deploy (renewable energy deployment) tool we can model a range of quantified scenarios of the realistic level of deployment and build rates that could be achieved in the future such as by 2020 or 2030. This takes account of the current starting point in terms of installed capacity, the potential resource capacity and a range of constraints such as those relating to grid, economic viability, planning approval and local supply chains.
Evidence-based strategic policy development
Taking the regional renewable capacity study evidence as a starting point, we help authorities to shape local policy for renewable energy within Core Strategies and Supplementary Planning Documents as well as strategic documents that sit outside the planning sphere (e.g. climate change strategies/plans).
Key site, local authority estate and community opportunities
As well as setting the overall strategy and policy context, local planning authorities have a major influence on renewable energy deployment at particular sites. We assist authorities in making the most of opportunities for specific sites such as through Area Action Plans, renewable energy across the public sector estate and setting up community/partnership arrangements.
Harnessing the economic and social development potential of renewables
Many authorities are finding that increasing renewable energy deployment can have a big local economic development impact, such as the creation of “green jobs” and supply chains. We advise authorities on how to harness the socio-economic of renewables in the context of mechanisms like Local Enterprise Partnerships and the Regional Growth Fund.
Strengthening expertise
Renewable energy technologies, industries and international/national policies are developing and changing rapidly. Through user-friendly guides, briefings/training and other forms of support, we are helping authorities to build their internal capacity and knowledge to manage and deliver renewable energy planning and deployment.
Community of Practice for local renewable energy planning, assessment and deployment
Recognising the need for mechanisms to exchange ideas, knowledge and practical examples in this fast moving field, SQW also facilitates a growing Community of Practice for local renewable energy planning, assessment and deployment.