2021 and beyond, the route to Net Zero: wind energy development and the climate emergency
Although the UK and devolved governments have made varying commitments to the climate emergency, there is unity in the need for greater deployment of wind energy development to help reduce carbon emissions from electricity generation and boost the green recovery following the Covid 19 pandemic. Whether deployed on land or at sea, a substantial acceleration will be required over the next decade to achieve a near quadrupling of current installed generation from renewable sources.
With the UK Government announcing recently that it intends to support up to 12GW of renewable energy projects in the fourth round of the Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme, 2021 will be an important year for the development of further onshore and offshore wind across the UK.
Last week saw the Scottish Government publish Scotland’s Fourth National Planning Framework Position Statement, setting out its thinking on the issues that will need to be addressed when preparing Scotland’s fourth National Planning Framework (NPF4). The deployment of renewables, and specifically further wind energy generation both on land and at sea, is at the heart of its commitment to addressing the climate change emergency through its ambitious Net Zero Emissions target. As one of ten ‘Key opportunities’ towards achieving net-zero emissions by 2045, the re-powering and extension of existing wind farms look set to make a significant contribution in Scotland.
In Wales, similar commitments have been made by the Welsh Government in its Future Wales: The National Plan 2040which is currently being scrutinised by the Senedd. An estimated 5GW+ of onshore and offshore wind could be delivered across the identified pre-assessed areas and in Welsh waters.
LUC’s work on wind energy-related projects
Supporting developers, communities, local authorities and government agencies, LUC has given expert advice to hundreds of wind energy-related projects over the last 20+ years.
We are proud to have helped secure consent for over 5GW of onshore and offshore wind energy developments across the UK. Ranging from award winning community schemes, to the largest single onshore wind consent in the UK, and what is set to become the world’s largest offshore wind farm.
Working with over 30 local authorities & government agencies since 2002, we have advised on landscape and seascape sensitivities and opportunities for wind energy development across the UK, including the national map of Marine Character Areas (MCAs) for England and the national classification of inshore waters for Wales.
Our advice continues to inform policy and shape development, including the next generation of onshore wind repowering and offshore wind development, which is predicted to deliver a combined 30GW+ of additional renewable energy in the next decade.
LUC is currently involved in a pipeline of over 3GW of new onshore and offshore wind development across the UK, whilst also supporting developers in the upcoming ScotWind Leasing process which looks set to deliver over 10GW of additional offshore wind capacity in Scotland.
LUC is looking forward to providing our experience, expertise, and knowledge of current issues in support of developers, local authorities and agencies through all stages of the planning, design, assessment, and consenting processes for onshore and offshore wind development across the UK throughout the next decade and beyond.
Learn more about Development Planning, Environmental Impact Assessment, and Landscape Planning & Assessment at LUC.
https://www.gov.scot/publications/scotlands-fourth-national-planning-framework-position-statement/
