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115WS
Written Ministerial Statements
6 JUNE 2013
Written Ministerial Statements
116WS
local topography should be a factor in assessing whether
wind turbines have a damaging impact on the landscape (i.e.
recognise that the impact on predominantly flat landscapes
can be as great or greater than as on hilly or mountainous
ones); and
great care should be taken to ensure heritage assets are
conserved in a manner appropriate to their significance,
including the impact of proposals on views important to
their setting.
I am writing to Sir Michael Pitt, chief executive of
the Planning Inspectorate to ask him to draw this
statement to the attention of planning inspectors in
their current and future appeals. I will inform colleagues
in local government to assist them in their forthcoming
decision making.
ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Electricity and Gas (Market Integrity and
Transparency) (Enforcement etc.) Regulations 2013
The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change
(Mr Edward Davey): On 13 November 2012, following
allegations of market manipulation in wholesale gas
markets, I promised to update the House on implementation
of the EU regulation on wholesale electricity and gas
market integrity and transparency (REMIT). REMIT
prohibits insider dealing and market abuse in wholesale
energy markets across Europe and establishes a monitoring
regime for wholesale energy trading. It also requires
member states to put in place an enforcement and
penalty regime for breaches of the regulation.
I am today laying the Electricity and Gas (Market
Integrity and Transparency) (Enforcement etc.) Regulations
2013 which will enter into force on 29 June. They give
Ofgem powers to take action against market manipulation
in wholesale electricity and gas market, including the
power to impose unlimited fines in the case of breaches
of the regulations. Similar regulations will be laid for
Northern Ireland. The UK will be one of the first
member states to implement REMIT.
Ofgem and the FCA are continuing their analysis of
the allegations into manipulation of the gas markets
raised in November 2012.
Onshore Wind
The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change
(Mr Edward Davey): Today we are publishing the
Government’s response to the onshore wind call for
evidence, which ran for eight weeks between 20 September
and 15 November 2012. The call for evidence was issued
in two parts.
Part A covered community engagement and benefits,
and looked at ways that communities can have more say
over, and receive greater benefit from, hosting onshore
wind farms in their area. It considered a range of issues,
including how wind farm developers consult with local
communities about their plans, new ways of ensuring a
sense of local ownership , how local economic content
can be built up, and whether there are innovative ways
of benefiting local energy consumers for example through
offsetting electricity bill costs. Part B examined the
latest information on the costs of onshore wind in the
UK to ensure that the support levels of the technology
received through the renewables obligation are no higher
than necessary.
We received over 1,100 responses and substantial new
evidence from a wide range of stakeholders.
Appropriately sited onshore wind, as one of the most
cost effective and proven renewable energy technologies,
has an important part to play in a responsible and
balanced UK energy policy. It is low-carbon and brings
new growth, investment and jobs to the UK economy. It
reduces our reliance on imported fossil fuels and helps
keep the lights on and our energy bills down. The UK
has some of the best wind resources in Europe, and the
Government are determined that the UK will retain its
reputation as one of the best places to invest in wind
energy and renewables more generally. We have also
legally committed to ensure that 15% of our energy will
come from renewable sources by 2020.
Over 10GWs of renewable electricity was generated
from onshore wind in 2011 which is enough to meet the
average electricity consumption need of almost 2.5 million
households. In addition, since 2010 DECC has recorded
announced investments in onshore wind energy totalling
over £3.4 billion, with the potential to support around
5,400 jobs.
Community engagement and benefits
It is important that onshore wind is developed in a
way that is sustainable—economically, environmentally
and socially.
Although, research shows that around two-thirds of
people in the UK support onshore wind, we recognise
that many people have real concerns about the siting of
onshore turbines in their communities and how they are
involved in this process. The measures set out in the first
part of the response, together with those being announced
in parallel today by my right hon. Friend the Secretary
of State for Communities and Local Government, mean
communities will have greater say over proposed onshore
wind development in their area, and can gain increased
benefits from hosting developments that do proceed.
A stronger role for communities
DCLG will introduce changes to the law in England
to require onshore wind developers to consult local
communities first—before they submit a planning
application. This tougher regime will give local people
the opportunity to influence proposals at a much earlier
stage in the planning process.
DCLG will also issue new and streamlined planning
practice guidance, following Lord Taylor’s review, to
ensure that planning decisions get the environmental
balance right, in line with the national planning policy
framework and, as expected by the framework, any
adverse impact from a wind farm development is addressed
satisfactorily.
We will issue best practice guidance to onshore wind
developers, will lay down higher standards expected in
relation to their engagement with communities, and a
new register will monitor best practice. At the same
time we will assist local communities to gain the skills
they need to enable them to engage more confidently
with developers.