Source · Select Committees · Environmental Audit Committee
Recommendation 19
19
Accepted in Part
Paragraph: 90
We are encouraged that the Government has now included one of the cheapest forms of...
Recommendation
We are encouraged that the Government has now included one of the cheapest forms of renewable energy—onshore wind—in Contracts for Difference auctions and will consult on proposed changes to national planning policy to relax the de facto prohibition that has existed for the technology since 2015. We welcome these moves, while recognising that constraints remain. We recommend that the Government’s proposals establish clear guidelines to provide benefits for local communities in areas that accept onshore wind farms, including potentially reduced electricity bills. The Government should also set a clear ambition to expand its generating capacity from onshore wind by 2035 in line with the goals it has set for other technologies in the British Energy Security Strategy.
Government Response Summary
The Government is committed to increasing onshore wind capacity and will consult on changes to national planning policy to relax the de facto prohibition, considering how to give local authorities demonstrating support for onshore wind a greater say and ensure that local communities benefit from any projects developed. However, they do not explicitly commit to a clear ambition to expand generating capacity from onshore wind by 2035, only stating that they are working across government to deliver a net zero energy system to achieve power decarbonisation by 2035.
Paragraph Reference:
90
Government Response
Accepted in Part
HM Government
Accepted in Part
55. The Government is fully committed to increasing the deployment of onshore wind capacity, recognising the important role it plays in increasing our energy security and decarbonising our electricity supply. 56. As set out in the British Energy Security Strategy, we will be consulting this year on proposed changes to national planning policy to relax the de facto prohibition that has been in place for onshore wind in England since 2015. This consultation will consider how to give local authorities demonstrating support for onshore wind a greater say in the planning process, and ensure that local communities benefit from any projects that are developed. 57. On 6 December, the Government published a Written Ministerial Statement setting out the proposed approach. This provides clarity for industry and local authorities as they consider potential onshore wind development. The Government will consult on detailed changes to planning policy as soon as parliamentary time allows. 58. The Government’s intention is to deliver a more effective planning framework that provides local authorities with the tools they need to deliver their net zero ambitions, while ensuring local communities are appropriately engaged and can benefit from the investment that onshore wind projects can bring. 58. The Government will bring forward retail market reforms that deliver a retail market that works for consumers, that is resilient and investable over the long-term, and that supports system transformation. To achieve power decarbonisation by 2035 and support energy independence we are working across government to deliver a net zero energy system.