North lacks power in green energy

Jul 13 2009 by Paul Loraine, The Journal

THE North East is lagging behind the rest of the country on chasing its renewable energy targets for 2010, according to a new report.

The British Wind Energy Association (BWEA) report comes ahead of the announcement of the Government’s Renewable Energy Strategy, which is expected to reaffirm the target for the UK to draw 20% of its energy needs from renewable sources by 2020.

According to the report, the North East’s regional assembly adopted a 2010 onshore renewables target of 454megawatts (MW) but only 175MW has been installed, and there is little chance of the target now being met.

It rates the North East as the second worst performing of England’s nine regions in terms of proximity to the target figure, with only the South West further behind their goal.

BWEA chief executive, Maria McCaffery said: “In common with most other English regions, the progress made in the North East is disappointing. Yet we know that the target system does work – Scotland (where the target was beaten) provides living proof of that.

“Missing the 2010 targets is now inevitable but we can still achieve the longer-term 2020 ambition. To do that requires political will, which seems to exist within Government but not where it is really needed within local authorities.”

The BWEA report shows that 44 % of wind farm applications refused permission at a local level were ultimately approved by the Planning Inspectorate.

“The average time it takes for a wind farm to get through local planning is 14 months, yet it’s supposed to take 16 weeks,” said Maria McCaffery. “All we are asking is for a level playing field. If other major infrastructure projects can be consented in 16 weeks, why can’t a wind farm?”