England's regions to fall short of renewables goals

Regions across England are likely to miss their 2010 renewable energy goals, with some parts set to achieve less than one-third of their targets, according to a new report from the British Wind Energy Association (BWEA).

The UK has aimed to generate 10 per cent of its electricity from renewables by 2010, with all eight English regions plus London having their own individual targets to help achieve that total. However, according to the BWEA’s “England’s Regional Renewable Energy Targets: Progress Report,” the country is likely to reach — on average — only 50 per cent of its 2010 goals.

Some regions, such as the South West, are set to fail to reach even a third of their targets.

The BWEA report shows that the UK’s overall target will only be met because both Scotland and Northern Ireland are set to outstrip their own targets. However, it reveals that a slow and ineffective local planning system in England and Wales is tying down wind farm planning applications for an average of 14 months, against a statutory guideline period of 16 weeks.

The report also finds that around half of wind farm applications taken to appeal for refusal or non-determination are then approved, raising doubts about the ability of local planning authorities to deliver the nation’s renewables programme.

“The target based approach works — all it takes is the political will to deliver,” said Maria McCaffery, BWEA Chief Executive. “In Scotland, renewables targets were backed by a policy framework and decisive central Government action. As a consequence, Scotland achieved more installed capacity then it was aiming for, thus helping to improve the overall UK picture as we approach 2010. But, in England we need to think carefully on how to use the lessons learned from 2010, as we attempt to reach the binding EU-wide 2020 targets.”

While England’s regional 2010 targets are voluntary, the EU-wide 2020 targets are binding. The only part of England which has met its 2010 targets is London, but London’s overall contribution is around 2 per cent of total nationwide renewable electricity.

The BWEA report shows that there is enough renewable generating capacity approved so the 10-per cent figure will eventually be met, albeit with a significant delay. According to BWEA, this proves that in any future attempt to reach targets, decisions need to be made in a timely manner, so there is enough renewable capacity consented on time, in order to be built on time.

“If we want to use 2010 as a dry run for 2020, timeliness and political initiative would be the two key lessons we should implement,” said McCaffery. “A clear schedule of implementation backed by central Government, with a system of checks and balances as we approach 2020, will be crucial if we want to join the renewable energy revolution, and not be laggards in Europe.”

The publication of the BWEA report comes ahead of the 15 July publication on Wednesday 15 Julyof the UK Government’s Renewable Energy Strategy, which sets out how the UK should reach its EU binding target of sourcing 15 per cent of all energy (30 – 35 per cent of electricity) from renewables by 2020.