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09.12.2009
Yesterday Energy and Climate Secretary Ed Miliband unveiled the Government’s long-awaited National Policy Statements (NPSs), which promise an expansion of renewables, nuclear power and clean coal technology.
The six draft NSPs on fossil fuels, nuclear, renewables, transmission networks, oil and gas pipelines and one overarching statement will form the basis for planning decisions made by the newly formed Infrastructure Planning Commission starting next March.
“The threat of climate change means we need to make a transition from a system that relies heavily on high carbon fossil fuels, to a radically different system that includes nuclear, renewable and clean coal power,” said Miliband in his statement to Parliament.
The currently planning system is stifling this transition, he said, with decisions taking years to be made. “That is why we are undertaking fundamental reform of the planning system which will result in a more efficient, transparent and accessible process,” he added.
Stuart Vendy, energy and utilities planning partner at Gerald Eve, welcomed the policy statements. “This release was much anticipated by an industry champing at the bit to develop new generating capacity, and fill the looming energy gap. Developers of renewable energy will be buoyed to see the broad mix of energy sources anticipated by the NPS’s and the importance afforded to biomass, waste and wind sources. This is good news for security of supply and diversifying our strategic energy sources into low carbon and developing technologies, such as CCS.
“It is interesting to note the importance being afforded to Local Impact Reports and assessing the local benefits of schemes. This is perhaps a response to the well publicised ‘localism’ agenda of the Conservatives.”
The draft NPSs are now open for consultation until February 22, 2010 and comments are invited from the public. The conclusions of the consultation will then go back to Parliament for scrutiny.
Gerald Eve, chartered surveyors and property consultants, make or save money from property - acting for around 40% of the FTSE100 on property asset management, agency and professional matters.
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