Growing Turbines Planning for wind farms Marcus Trinick QC Eversheds LLP April 2013

PLANNING FOR WIND FARMS The Need for Onshore Wind Planning for Onshore Wind Farms Topics

Where we want to be EU 2020 targets –15% of energy in the UK to be renewable 12-18GW of installed offshore wind 13-15GW installed onshore wind At least 30% of electricity generated from renewables

PLANNING FOR WIND FARMS Some figures Why 30% from renewable electricity required Limits to contribution to 30% from wave, tidal and hydroelectric power Solar and biomass energy – big targets but challenges and low utilisation The bulk will come from onshore and offshore wind The Need for Onshore Wind

The Need For Onshore Wind Currently 11% of electricity from renewables (2012) Estimates for onshore wind of 12%-18% by 2020 –But environmental, finance and supply chain challenges –May limit offshore to 12% or much less by 2020 If 10% from offshore wind then an additional 9% required to meet 30% 9% of electricity = 9GW approx of onshore wind – the only realistic source for the balance of the 30% Some figures

The Need For Onshore Wind 1.8GW under construction March GW with permission March 2013 – 3GW may get built Therefore 4GW or so of unconsented onshore required for GW of onshore wind in planning system of which about 5GW will get permission Therefore we may get successfully to 2020 – BUT... What we need from onshore wind.

The Need For Onshore Wind Planning for post 2020 has started Future decarbonisation targets Security of supply issues and the need to fund European interconnection Building an industry Onshore wind the cheapest of the renewables and it is financeable Beyond 2020

The Need For Onshore Wind Mobile finance looks at countries not technologies Capital markets already jittery about UK following price support review – and Hayes, Osborne etc Horizon Nuclear Power sale and Centrica withdrawal from nuclear Playing politics with energy is a very dangerous game – we need more new generation urgently A threat to onshore wind is a threat to all renewables

Glyndebourne turbine

The Need For Onshore Wind Onshore price support capped by Government for all technologies If nuclear is expensive then onshore and offshore wind will be capped Reliance on swift delivery by nuclear is dangerous Threat of higher electricity prices if contribution of onshore wind is constrained or capped – beware what you campaign for And just to brighten the day

Planning For Wind Farms Willing land owner (s) Viable grid connection Access Enough wind Lack of one or more of the above is a significant constraint on deployment Basic requirements

Planning For Wind Farms Evolution of high quality opposition Assisted by the internet Theme of evolution of issues, solutions and refinement of further issues, England, Wales and Scotland – very different challenges The Sword and the Cuirass

Planning For Wind Farms Policies – much the same everywhere Killer blows (eg) Aviation Residential amenity Birds Noise - In a site pre-planning all or some of above a huge constraint on capacity Selecting a site – pre-planning

Planning For Wind Farms Landscape and visual effects Calibrating approach Value of landscape The threat of single turbines Planning a selected site – core issues

Planning For Wind Farms Bats The law Emerging knowledge Mitigation Planning a selected site – core issues

Planning For Wind Farms Birds Rarely a big issue Constraints on construction Collision risk Planning a selected site – core issues

Planning For Wind Farms Noise Complaint history Health issues Amplitude modulation Getting it right Planning a selected site – core issues

Planning For Wind Farms Peat Mainly Scottish issue Stability CO2 balance Planning a selected site – core issues

Planning For Wind Farms Cultural heritage It’s a very old country The issue is overplayed (in my view) But it is a potent issue - Barnwell Planning a selected site – core issues

Planning For Wind Farms Many and various Autism Eskdalemuir Funny types of radar Buddhists - Don’t worry – we enjoy it Planning a selected site – other issues

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