Planning and Renewable Energy

The Government’s energy policy, including its policy on renewable energy, is set out in the Energy White Paper (www.berr.gov.uk/files/file39387.pdf) . This aims to put the UK on a path to cut its carbon dioxide emissions by some 60% by 2050, with real progress by 2020, and to maintain reliable and competitive energy supplies.

Increased development of renewable energy resources is vital to facilitating the delivery of the Government’s commitments on both climate change and renewable energy. Positive planning which facilitates renewable energy developments can contribute to all four elements of the Government’s sustainable development strategy:

• Social progress which recognises the needs of everyone – by contributing to the nation’s energy needs, ensuring all homes are adequately and affordably heated; and providing new sources of energy in remote areas;
• Effective protection of the environment – by reductions in emissions of greenhouse gases and thereby reducing the potential for the environment to be affected by climate change;
• Prudent use of natural resources – by reducing the nation’s reliance on ever diminishing supplies of fossil fuels; and,
• Maintenance of high and stable levels of economic growth and employment – through the creation of jobs directly related to renewable energy developments, but also in the development of new technologies. In rural areas, renewable energy projects have the potential to play an increasingly important role in the diversification of rural economies.

More specific information on planning issues for different technologies can be found under each technology’s individual entry - click here