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Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole Renewable Energy Strategy to 2020
January 2013
Final version
Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole Renewable Energy Strategy to 2020
2
Contents
Separate supporting documents:
• PolicyContextforRenewableEnergyinDorset–summaryofkeypoliciesaffectingrenewableenergydeploymentinBournemouth,DorsetandPoole.
• RenewableEnergyResourceAssessmentforDorset–outliningtherenewableenergyresourceassessmentundertakenbyRegenSWindevelopmentofthisStrategy.
• UnpackingRenewableEnergyTechnologiesforDorset–thepotentialforeachrenewableenergytechnologyinBournemouth,DorsetandPoole,includingcurrentstatusandbarriersandopportunities
ExecutiveSummary 3
Endorsementofthisstrategy 6
1.Introduction 7
2.Howhavewebeendoing? 9
3.Anincreasingimperativeforrenewableenergy 12
4.SettingarenewableenergytargetforDorset 15
5.Vision,AimsandTarget 23
6.Takingaction 25
7.DeliveringtheStrategy–nextsteps 39
Appendix1:SummaryofStrategydevelopmentprocess 41
Appendix2:Endorsementswithcaveats 43
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ThefirstBournemouth,DorsetandPooleRenewableEnergyStrategywaspublishedin2005.ItwasdevelopedbytheDorsetEnergyGroup(DEG)whichiscomposedofofficersfromDorsetCountyCouncil,allofDorset’sdistrict/boroughcouncils,PooleandBournemouthunitaryauthoritiesaswellasotherstakeholdersfromacrossthepublic,privateandcommunitysectors.TheStrategysetoutacomprehensiveplanofactiontoincreasethegenerationofrenewableelectricityandheatintheareaby2010andhasbeensuccessfullydeliveredbytheDorsetEnergyGroupanditsworkinggroups.Overall,significantprogresshasincluded:
• Securingover£1.7millionadditionalfundingtosupportrenewableenergyinstallations,demonstrationprojectsandfeasibilitystudies.
• Developingplanningpoliciesandtoolstosupportrenewableenergy.
• Deliveringanextensiverangeofawarenessraisingactivitiesonrenewableenergyamongstarangeofaudiences.
• Increasedpartnershipworkingwithpublic,communityandbusinesspartners.
ThisrevisedStrategyistheresultofan18monthprocessledbytheDorsetEnergyGroupandsupportedbyRegenSW(anindependent,notforprofitorganisation,specialisinginsustainableenergyintheSouthWest).Ithasinvolvedextensiveresearch,evidencegathering,arenewableresourceassessment,policyreviewandhasbeenshapedbytheviewsofaround900stakeholdersandmembersofthepublic.
ExecutiveSummary
TheDepartmentforCommunitiesandLocalGovernment(CLG)fundedthedevelopmentofthisstrategyaspartofitsLocalCarbonFrameworkprogrammeinrecognitionoftheongoingachievementsandstrongpartnershipworkingonsustainableenergywithinBournemouth,DorsetandPoole.
ThisStrategysupersedestheoriginalandseeksto:promoteacommonawarenessofthelatestsituation;provideanupdatedunderstandingofpotentiallocalrenewableenergyresources;identifyanaspirationaltargetforrenewableenergygenerationfor2020andoutlinethekeyactionsnecessarytorealiseDorset’srenewableenergypotential.
SevenyearsonfromthepublicationoftheBournemouth,DorsetandPooleRenewableEnergyStrategyin2005,themaindriversfordevelopingrenewableenergysourcesremainandhave,inmanyrespects,strengthened.Inaddition,significantchangesinpolicysurroundingrenewableenergyandincentivesforrenewableenergytechnologiesmeanthatthedevelopmentofrenewableenergyisbeingencouragedevenmorestronglybyahostofexistingandemerginginternational,nationalandlocalpolicies.Inparticular,aspartoftheEuropeanRenewableEnergyDirectivetheUKnowhasalegallybindingtargettogenerate15%oftheUK’stotalenergyneedsfromrenewablesourcesby2020.ThisisaUKwidetargetandalthoughnolocaltargetshavebeensetbygovernmentitisclearthatthegovernmentexpectslocalauthorityareastoplaytheirpartinmeetingthenational2020renewableenergytarget.
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ThroughtheconsultationprocessfortheStrategystakeholderswereaskedhowambitioustheythoughtDorsetshouldbewithregardtorenewableenergyinthearea.Overalltherewasstrongsupport(over80%)foradoptinganambitiousrenewableenergytargetforDorsettogenerate15%ormoreofitstotalenergyneedsfromrenewablesourcesby2020andtomonitorperformancetowardsthistarget.Theconsultationalsohighlightedconcernsabouthowthisshouldbeachieved,inparticular:
• thepotentialeffectsoflargescalerenewableenergydevelopment(particularlywind)onthelocalenvironmentandDorset’suniquelandscape;
• thepotentialinternationalimpactsofimportingbio-fuelsforlargescalepowerstations;
• theneedtoensuremaximumlocaleconomicandcommunitybenefit.
CurrentgenerationinDorsetisestimatedat146GWh,oronly0.95%oftotalenergydemand,athirdoftheUKnationalaverageof3%in2010.Fortheareatoplayitspartinmeetingnationalrenewableenergytargets,asignificantstepchangeisrequired,withgenerationneedingtoincreasebyover15timesinjust8years.InadditionsubstantialeffortswillneedtobemadelocallytoreduceDorset’senergydemandthroughinstallingenergyefficiencymeasuresandencouragingbehaviourchange.
InJuly2011,theDepartmentofEnergyandClimateChange(DECC)publishedaRenewableEnergyRoadmapfortheUKto20201whichsetsouthowthegovernmentexpectsthenationaltargettobeachievedandhowmuchofthecontributionwillbegeneratedfrom‘national’ratherthanlocalresources.Thisindicatesthat50%ofthe
nationaltargetislikelytobemadefromrenewableenergydeployedatanationallevel,suchasoffshorewindorlargescalebiomasspowerstations.
AdetailedassessmentofpotentiallocalrenewableenergyresourcesinDorsethasbeencarriedoutfollowingastandardnationalmethodology.Thisindicatesthatusingacombinationofresourcesandtechnologiesandassumingacontributionfrom‘national’renewableenergyinstallations,thata15%targetcouldbeachievedinDorset.
Our Vision“For the community of Dorset to play our part in mitigating climate change by using energy more efficiently and harnessing our viable renewable energy resources. We wish to maximise the local economic, environmental and community benefits that doing this can bring.”
Aims1. Tomaximisethepotentialforlocal
economicbenefitanddiversification.
2.TofacilitaterenewableenergydevelopmentthatisappropriatetoDorset’senvironmentandcommunities.
3. Toencourageahighdegreeofcommunityinvolvement,understandingandbenefitfromusingenergymoreefficientlyanddevelopingDorset’srenewableenergyresources.
4. ToenableDorsettoplayitspartinreducinggreenhousegasemissionsinlinewithlocal,regional,nationalandinternationaltargets.
5. Toprovidelocal,affordableandsecurerenewableenergysupplies.
1 Downloadablefromhttp://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/11/meeting-energy-demand/renewableenergy/2167-uk-renewable-energy-roadmap.pdf
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Thevisionandtheaimsshouldbeseenasguidingprinciplesforallfuturerenewableenergydevelopmentlocally,confirmingthatrenewableenergydevelopmentshouldbeenvironmentally,sociallyandeconomicallysustainable.
Strategy Targets TheStrategywilladoptatwin-tracktargettakingintoaccountthenationalcommitmenttolegallybindingtargets,localpolicycommitmentstotackleclimatechange,theassessmentofavailableresourcesandthelevelofambitionevidencedintheresponsestoconsultation.TheStrategyproposesanaspirationaltargetofatleast15%ofDorset,BournemouthandPoole’senergyneedstobemetfromrenewablesourcesby2020.However,toreflecttheexpectationthatapproximately7.5%ofthiswillbedeliveredviarenewableenergyresourcesconsideredbyGovernmentas‘national’resources,regardlessoflocalaction,thisStrategywillfocusondeliveringasecondarytargetofaminimumof7.5%ofDorset’senergyneedstobemetfromlocalrenewableenergyresourcesoverwhichwehavemoreinfluenceandcontrol.Thiswouldequate2totheareausingenoughlocalrenewableenergyresourcestogeneratejustunder1200GWhofenergyperyear-enoughtopowerabout250,000homesortoheataround85,000homes3.
ThisStrategyaimstosettheagreeddirectionoftravelforrenewableenergyinthelocalareato2020.Itsetsoutthepriorityareaswhereeffortneedstobefocusedtohelpusmeetouraspirationsforrenewableenergytogetherwithanumberofstrategicactionswhichneedtobetakenforwardwithineacharea.Thesixpriorityareasofactionthathavebeenidentifiedare:
Priority 1:Supportingthedevelopmentofcommunityrenewableenergy.
Priority 2:Maximisingthelocaleconomicbenefitsofrenewableenergygeneration.
Priority 3:Creatingamoresupportiveplanningsystemforrenewableenergy.
Priority 4:Developinglocallyappropriatetechnologies.
Priority 5:Deliveringleadershipandpartnershipsthatsupportrenewableenergy.
Priority 6: Improvingrenewableenergycommunicationsandlearning.
Eachpriorityarearepresentsatopicareawhereconcertedeffortisrequiredacrossmultiplepartnersinordertobringaboutastepchangeinrenewableenergygenerationlocallyupto2020.UndereachoftheseheadingstheStrategyoutlinesthecurrentnationalandlocalposition,whatactionisalreadyunderwayintheareaandbarriersandopportunitiestofurtheraction.
InFebruary2012theDorsetEnergyGroupwasrenamedthe‘DorsetEnergyPartnership’(DEP),toreflectBournemouth,DorsetandPooleworkingtogetherforalowcarbonfuture.TheDEPexecutivewilloverseethedeliveryofboththisstrategyandtheBournemouth,DorsetandPooleenergyefficiencystrategy.
ThesepriorityareasforactionwillbedeliveredthroughdetailedannualactionplansdevelopedbytheDorsetEnergyPartnership,itsworkinggroupsandotherkeypartners.
2 Thesefiguresareindicativeonlytogiveanimpressionofthescalethat1200GWhrepresents.Thenumberofhomespoweredorheatedrepresentsmorethan7.5%ofthearea’s345,340homesbecausethereareothertypesofenergyusemakinguptotalenergyuseintheareafromwhichthe7.5%targetiscalculated-includingcommercialandindustrialheating,powerandprocesses,andtransportenergyuse.
3 Basedonalocaldomesticconsumptionaverageof4,800kWhofelectricityand14,000kWhofheat(fromDECCproducedlocalconsumptionfigureshttp://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/statistics/energy_stats/regional/regional.aspx).
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Thefollowingorganisationshaveendorsedthisstrategy:
Bridport Environment Group
Bridport Renewable Energy Group
Borough of Poole
Bournemouth Borough Council
Christchurch Borough Council*
The Core – APC Chant Centre of Renewable Energy
Dorset Agenda 21
Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Team*
Dorset Community Action
Dorset County Council
Dorset Energy Advice Centre
Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership
East Dorset District Council*
East Dorset Friends of the Earth*
Eco Sustainable Solutions Ltd
Ecofirst Consult
Ecos Trust
Environmental Theme Action Group, East Dorset Community Partnership*
Forest Fuels Ltd
Holme Estate
Infinergy Ltd
Endorsementofthisstrategy
Magna Housing Association Ltd
NHS Dorset, Bournemouth and Poole Cluster
North Dorset District Council*
Portland Port Ltd
SUSTAIN ( formerly Bournemouth Environment Forum)
Transition Bournemouth
Transition Town Dorchester
Universal Engineering
West Dorset District Council
West Dorset Partnership
Weymouth Energy Advice Centre
Weymouth and Portland Borough Council
Weymouth and Portland Transition Town Group
Endorsementofthestrategywillimplysupportforitsvision,aimsandforthebroadstrategylaidoutforachievingit.Theimplementationoftheactionplanwilldependontheavailabilityofresources.
*Theseorganisationshaveendorsedthestrategywithcaveats–seeappendix2fordetails.
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1.1 Background In2005theDorsetEnergyGrouppublishedtheBournemouth,DorsetandPooleRenewableEnergyStrategywhichsetoutacomprehensiveplanofactiontoincreasethegenerationofrenewableelectricityandheatintheareaby2010.
TheDorsetEnergyGroup(whichiscomprisedofofficersfromDorsetCountyCouncil,allofDorset’sdistrict/boroughcouncils,PooleandBournemouthunitaryauthorities,aswellasotherstakeholdersfromacrossthepublic,privateandcommunitysectors)haveledthesuccessfuldeliveryoftheStrategytodate.
SincetheoriginalStrategywaspublishedtherehasbeensignificantchangeregardingrenewableenergypolicyandpracticeintheUK.ThisrevisedStrategythereforeseeksto:promoteacommonawarenessofthelatestsituation;provideanupdatedunderstandingofpotentiallocalrenewableenergyresources;identifyanaspirationaltargetforrenewableenergygenerationfor2020andoutlinethekeyactionsnecessarytorealiseDorset’srenewableenergypotential.
TheproductionofthisrevisedStrategyhasbeenfundedbytheDepartmentforCommunitiesandLocalGovernment(CLG)whichselectedBournemouth,DorsetandPooleasoneofonly9areasintheUKtopilotLocalCarbonFrameworksinrecognitionoftheongoingachievementsandstrongpartnershipworkingonsustainableenergywithinBournemouth,DorsetandPoole.Thissupportedthe
developmentoftheStrategyandanumberofassociatedprojects.
InFebruary2012theDorsetEnergyGroupwasrenamedthe‘DorsetEnergyPartnership’(DEP),toreflectBournemouth,DorsetandPooleworkingtogetherforalowcarbonfuture.TheDEPExecutivewilloverseethedeliveryofboththisStrategyandtheBournemouth,DorsetandPooleEnergyEfficiencyStrategyandActionPlan(2009).
Throughouttheremainderofthisdocument,referenceto‘Dorset’shouldbetakentoincludeBournemouthandPoole.
1.2 Why do we need a Strategy? ThisrevisedStrategyprovidesanopportunityforthepeopleofDorsettobepro-activelyinvolvedin,andhelpshapethedevelopmentoflocalrenewableenergyresourcesratherthansimplyreacttoexternalevents.Apro-activeapproachismorelikelytomaximiselocal,social,economicandenvironmentalbenefits.ThisStrategyisthereforeneededto:
• Provideastrategicframework,toco-ordinateeffortindeliveringacommonvisionandsharedaims;
• Encouragebuy-inandownershipfromallthosewhohavearoleindevelopingrenewableenergyresourcesinthearea;
• Ensureeffortisfocusedintherightdirection–byidentifyingthepriorityareaswhereoureffortsneedtofocustoensurethegreatestbenefitstothelocalarea.
1.Introduction
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1.3 What does the Strategy cover?Focusing on renewable energy for electricity and heat TheStrategycoverstheproductionofrenewableelectricityandrenewableheat,withinDorset.Itdoes notaddresstransportenergydemandanduse4asthesearedealtwithbyotherareawidestrategiesandplans.
Complementing the Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole Energy Efficiency StrategyTheexactamountofrenewableenergywhichwillneedtobeinstalledby2020,toachievenationalandinternationaltargetsandtoreducecarbondioxideemissions,dependsonactualfutureenergydemand.Ifdemandforenergyfalls,sotoodoestheamountofheat,electricityandtransportfuelwhichneedstobegeneratedfromrenewableresources.
Thismeansthatbothrenewableenergygenerationandenergyefficiencymeasurestoreducedemand,mustbeprogressedinparallel.WithinDorsetthisStrategywill,thereforecomplementtheexistingBournemouth,DorsetandPooleEnergyEfficiencyStrategyandActionPlan(2009)whichisalsobeingdeliveredbytheDorsetEnergyPartnership.
1.4 How the Strategy was developedTheStrategyistheresultofan18monthprocessledbytheDorsetEnergyGroup(nowtheDorsetEnergyPartnership)andsupportedbyRegenSW(anindependent,notforprofitorganisation,specialisinginsustainableenergyintheSouthWest).Ithasinvolvedextensiveresearch,evidencegathering,arenewableresourceassessment,policyreviewandconsultation.AsummaryoftheStrategyreviewprocessisshownatAppendix1.
ThreekeyconsultationeventsundertakeninDorchester,BournemouthandPoole,involvingover150localstakeholders,
formedanimportantpartoftheStrategydevelopmentprocess.TheseeventsinformedthedevelopmentofadraftStrategywhichwascirculatedforpublicconsultationfromJune–September2011andresultedinover180responses.
ThisfinalversionoftheStrategyfollowsonfromtheconsultationdraftversionproducedinJune2011.Allcommentsreceivedfrompublicopinionsurveys,stakeholderworkshopsandotherrepresentationsduringthefourmonthconsultationprocesshavebeencarefullyconsideredintheproductionofthisfinalversion.
1.5 The status of this documentThisStrategyisanon-statutorydocumentwhichaimstosetoutaclear,sharedambitionforrenewableenergyinDorsetandidentifywherelocalactionshouldfocustomaximisethebenefitsforDorsetwhileprotectingandenhancingouruniqueenvironment.Whileitisclearlyintendedtocreateapositiveandproactiveclimateforthedeploymentofrenewableenergy,itwillbefordevelopers,organisations,communitiesorindividualstocomeforwardwithspecificproposals.Theexacttype,sizeandlocationoftechnologiesinstalledonthegroundwillbedeterminedbyindividualplanningapplications,whichwillensuredetailedsitespecificconstraintsareconsidered.ThisdocumentisthefinalversionoftherevisedStrategy,andincludesalistoftheorganisationsthathaveendorsedit.EndorsementofthisStrategywillimplysupportforitsvision,aimsandforthebroadstrategylaidoutforachievingit.
TheinformationinthisStrategyisaccurateasofMarch2012whentheStrategywassentoutforendorsement.TheonlyinformationthathaschangedisanupdateontheNationalPlanningPolicyFramework.
4 TransportiscoveredbytheLocalTransportPlan3process
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ThedeliveryoftheBournemouth,DorsetandPooleRenewableEnergyStrategy(2005)anditscomplementaryEnergyEfficiencyStrategyhavebeenoverseenbytheDorsetEnergyGroup(nowtheDorsetEnergyPartnership).ThePartnershipcomprisesanExecutiveandanumberofworkinggroupsaddressingsustainableenergyinthecommunityanddomesticsectors,aswellasbio-energyandplanning.
EachworkinggroupisresponsiblefordevelopinganddeliveringadetailedannualprogrammeofworkbasedonthefiveyearactionplansinboththeRenewableEnergyandEnergyEfficiencyStrategies.
2.1 Progress ReportIn20105aprogressreportwasproducedwhichsummarisedthekeyachievementsofeachworkinggroupsincepublicationoftheoriginalRenewableEnergyStrategy.ItalsoshowedprogressagainsttheEnergyEfficiencyStrategy.
Fromthenumberanddiversityoftasksaccomplishedbythedifferentworkinggroups,itisclearthatbothstrategieshavebeensuccessfulcatalystsforlocalaction.
Detailedprogressishighlightedwithin‘Section6:Takingaction’andbrieflyoutlinedbelow.
2.2 Summary of key achievementsOverall,significantprogresshasincluded:
• Securingover£1.7millionofadditionalfundingtosupportrenewableenergy
installations,demonstrationprojectsandfeasibilitystudies.
• Developingplanningpoliciesandtoolstosupportrenewableenergy.
• Deliveringanextensiverangeofawarenessraisingactivitiesonrenewableenergyamongstarangeofaudiences.
• Increasedpartnershipworkingwithpublic,communityandbusinesspartners.
Eachworkinggrouphasfocusedonparticularactivities,asfollows:
Bio-energy working group Thegrouphasbeendevelopingprojectstoincreasethesupplyoflocalbiomassfuelsandtoencouragedemandbysupportingbiomassdemonstrationschemes,particularlybiomassboilersinschoolsandlocalauthorityproperties.Workhasalsofocusedonmaximisingwidercommunity,biodiversityandlandscapebenefitsofbiomass,throughschemesincludinglocalwoodaccreditationandwoodlandmanagementforfuelsupply.
Sustainable Energy Planning working group Thegrouphasfocusedon:increasingunderstandingofrenewableenergyamongstplannersanddecisionmakers;developingspecificguidanceonissuessuchasenergycrops;developingrenewableenergyplanningpoliciesandexploringtoolstoassistdecisionmakingincludinglocalenergyplanningandlandscapecharacterassessments.
5 http://www.dorsetforyou.com/media.jsp?mediaid=160131andfiletype=pdf
2.Howhavewebeendoing?
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Community Sustainable Energy working groupThegrouphasfocusedonsupportingrenewableenergydemonstrationprojectsinpublicandcommunitybuildingsandincreasingawarenessofrenewableenergywithdecisionmakers,communitiesandthepublicthroughnetworks,renewableenergyinformationsheets,trainingseminars,conferencesandon-lineresources.
Domestic Sector Sustainable Energy working group Thegrouphasfocusedonimprovingenergyefficiencyinthedomesticsectorwiththeaimofreducingenergydemand,tacklingfuelpovertyandensuringDorsetmaximisesnationalfundingavailable.Inparticularworkhasincludedclarifyingandsignpostingtoadviceandsupportservicesandinitiatingareabasedpilotprojectsandaffordablewarmthschemes.
2.3 Summary of current renewable energy deployment Renewable electricity installations to dateIn2005Dorsetagreedtoatargetof64-84megawatts(MW)ofrenewableelectricity
generatingcapacitytobeonlineby2010.Thiswasdevelopedaspartofthe‘REvision2010’renewableenergyresourceassessmentundertakenforallcountiesintheSouthWestandresultedincountyrenewableelectricitytargetsbeingincludedwithinthedraftRegionalSpatialStrategy.RegionalSpatialStrategiesareintheprocessofbeingabolishedbytheGovernment,thoughtheevidencebasewhichledtotheinclusionofCountytargetsremainsrelevant.
ThelatestRegenSWAnnualSurvey(January2011)identified617renewableelectricityprojectsinDorset(Table2.1),withatotalinstalledcapacityof19.2MW.Howeversincethissurveywasundertakentherehasbeenanexponentialincreaseinthenumberofsolarphotovoltaic(PV)installationsinDorset,asadirectresultoftheFeed-intariff.Thishasincreasedinstallationsfrom578inJanuary2011to5,676PVprojectswithaninstalledcapacityof18.966MW.Thisgivesatotalestimatedcurrentinstalledcapacityof36.67MWofelectricitygenerationasof1stFebruary2012.TherearealsoanumberoflargesolarfarmsthathavebeenbuiltbutdonotyetappearonthenationalonlineFeed-inTariffregister.
Table 2.1 Summary of renewable electricity projects and their contribution in overall installed capacity.
Renewable Electricity
ATW* Hydro Landfill gas
Onshore wind
Sewage gas
Solar PV Total
Noofprojects 2 4 3 28 2 578
617
MW 0.845 0.059 14.324 0.191 2.295 1.489 19.202
%ofrenewableelectricityinstalledcapacity
4% 0.3% 75% 1% 12% 8% 100%
*Advancedtreatmentofwasteincludinganaerobicdigestionandpyrolysis
Source:2010/11RegenSWprogressreport(installationstoJanuary2011
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Renewable heat installations to dateTheRegenSWprogressreport(January2011)identifiedatotalof302renewableheatinstallationsinthearea(table2.2).Themajorityoftheseschemes(173)aresolarthermalinstallations,althoughthe39biomassprojectscontributemostintermsofinstalledcapacity,atover5MW.Theseincludethe1.2MWbiomassdistrictheatingschemeatGuy’sMarshPrisoninnorthDorset.
6 CapacityFactorisdescribedinmoredetailinthe‘RenewableEnergyResourceAssessmentforDorset’and‘UnpackingRenewableEnergyTechnologiesforDorset’-http://dorsetforyou/renewableenergystrategy2020
Table 2.2 Summary of renewable heat projects and their contribution in overall installed capacity.
Renewable Heat ATW Biomass Heat pumps
Sewage gas
Solar Thermal
Area total
Noofprojects 1 39 88 1 173 302
MW 0.02 5.008 0.753 1.10 0.446 7.33
%ofrenewableheatinstalledcapacity
0.3% 68% 10% 15% 6% 100%
Source:2010/11RegenSWprogressreport(installationstoJanuary2011)
Combiningboththeelectricityandheatrenewableenergyprojectsgivesatotalinstalledrenewableenergycapacityof26.53MW,madeupfromarangeoftechnologies.Consideringthecapacityfactor6foreachparticulartechnologygivesanapproximationofhowmuchenergyeachyearcouldbegeneratedfromthisinstalledcapacity.CurrentrenewableenergygeneratinginDorsetis,therefore,estimatedat146GWhequivalentto0.95%ofDorset’stotalenergydemand.
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SixyearsonfromthepublicationoftheBournemouth,DorsetandPooleRenewableEnergyStrategyin2005,themaindriversfordevelopingrenewableenergysourcesremainandhave,inmanyrespects,strengthened.Inaddition,significantchangesinpolicysurroundingrenewableenergyandincentivesforrenewableenergytechnologiesmeanthatthedevelopmentofrenewableenergyisbeingencouragedevenmorestronglybyahostofexistingandemerginginternational,nationalandlocalpolicies.
3.1 Key driversMitigating climate change Theglobalscientificconsensusthatweneedtoreduceman-madecarbonemissionstomitigatetheworsteffectsofclimatechange,andthatclimatechangeisperhapsthegreatestchallengetheworldwillfaceoverthecominghalf-century,remainsintact.TheimperativeofreducinggreenhousegasemissionsisreflectedininternationaltreatiesandEuropeanlaw.Recognisingtheincreasingimportanceoftheissue,theUKGovernmentin2008passedtheClimateChangeAct,whichsetsalegallybindingtargettoreducecarbonemissionsby80%by2050and30%by2020.
Renewableenergytechnologiescanmakeamajorcontributiontothisgoalbyreplacingexistingfossilfuelenergysupplies.
Energy security Energysecurityisincreasinglyseenasanimportantissueduetopoliticalinstabilityinoilproducingnations,dwindlingoilsupplies,worriesoverthesafetyofnuclearpowerand
theneedtoreplacemuchoftheUK’slargescaleelectricitygeneratingcapacity.
Inaddition,fossilfuelcostscontinuetorise,asaresultofincreasingdemandfromgrowingeconomieselsewhereintheworld.FutureenergycostpredictionsfromOfgemshowthattheaverageannualdomesticenergybillintheUKin2009of£1247ispredictedtorise60%by2016,to£1995peryear.
Renewableenergygenerationhasacriticalroletoplayinincreasingthesecurityoflocalenergysupply,andreducingDorset’sexposuretotheriskshighlightedabove.
Maximising local economic benefits HouseholdersandbusinessesinDorsetcurrentlyspend£800millionperyearonenergy(includingroadtransportfuel).Virtuallyallofthisexpenditureisonfossil-fuelornuclearderivedenergyandsothismoneyislostfromthelocaleconomy.Thegenerationofenergylocallyatacommunityorhouseholdlevelofferstheopportunitytoretainspendingonenergyforthebenefitoflocalpeopleandthelocaleconomy.
Inaddition,developmentofrenewableenergytechnologiesprovidesopportunitiesforskilledjobcreation,localeconomicgrowthandsignificantfinancialbenefits.In2010,therewereanestimated11,000jobsinthesustainableenergysectoracrossthesouthwest.WiththeadventoftheFeed-inTariffandtheRenewableHeatIncentivethisislikelytohaveincreasedconsiderablysince2010.RenewableUKrecentlypublishedcomprehensiveemploymentfiguresforthenationalwindenergyindustry,showing
3.Anincreasingimperativeforrenewableenergy
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a91%increaseinfull-timeemploymentinthesectorbetween2007/8and2009/10.ThisgrowthinemploymentstandsinstarkcontrasttotheoverallUKemploymentlevel,whichhasshrunkduringthesameperiodby3.4%.
3.2 Changes in renewable energy policy Thedevelopmentofrenewableenergyisdrivenbycentralandlocalgovernmentpolicy.Since2005anenormousamountofnewpolicyonrenewableenergyandreducingcarbonemissionshasbeenintroduced.
Thissectiongivesabriefoverviewofthekeypolicies,withmoredetailedinformationfoundinthesupportingdocumenton‘PolicyContext’.
International and national renewable energy targets -TheEuropeanRenewableEnergyDirectivesetsanoveralltargetforEuropetogenerate20%ofitsenergyfromrenewablesourcesby2020.ThetargethasbeennegotiatedwitheachindividualEUmember.AsaresulttheUKnowhasalegallybindingtargettogenerate15%oftheUK’stotalenergyneedsfromrenewablesourcesby2020.
The Localism Act (2011) and National Planning Policy Framework - WholesalereformoftheplanningsystemiscurrentlybeingundertakenthroughtheLocalismAct(2011)andtheNationalPlanningPolicyFramework(NPPF),introducedinMarch2012.RegionalSpatialStrategiesarebeingabolishedandthroughtheguidancesetoutintheNPPF,willnowbedeliveredthroughthedevelopmentofLocalPlansandNeighbourhoodPlans.AttheheartoftheNPPFisapresumptioninfavourofsustainabledevelopmentwhichshouldbe
reflectedwhendevelopinglocalplanningpolicyandalsoindeterminationofplanningapplications.
Inparticular,theNPPFindicatesthatdevelopmentproposalsshouldbegrantedpermissioninaccordancewiththedevelopmentplan(i.e.adoptedLocalPlanorNeighbourhoodPlans)unlessitisabsent,silentorrelevantpoliciesareout-of-date.TheNPPFthereforerecommendsthatitishighlydesirablethatlocalplanningauthoritiesshouldhaveanup-to-dateplaninplace.WestDorsetDistrictCouncilinpartnershipwithWeymouthandPortlandBoroughCouncilaredevelopingaLocalPlanalongsideaNeighbourhoodPlaninCerneAbbasaspartofanationalpilot.NorthDorsetDistrictCounciliscurrentlysupportingthecommunityinGillinghamtodevelopaneighbourhoodplan.
AdraftWestDorset,WeymouthandPortlandLocalPlanhasbeencompletedandiscurrentlyoutforpublicconsultation.Therenewableenergysectionmakesreferencetothe7.5%localrenewableenergygenerationby2020aspirationaltargetintheBournemouth,DorsetandPooleRenewableEnergyStrategy.AllBournemouth,DorsetandPoolePlanningAuthoritiesarecurrentlyatvariousstagesofpreparingLocalPlans.
TheNPPFidentifiestheneedforlocalplanningauthoritiestorecognisetheresponsibilityonallcommunitiestocontributetoenergygenerationfromrenewableorlowcarbonsources,forexamplehavingapositivestrategytopromoteenergyfromrenewableandlowcarbonsourcesanddesigningpoliciesanddeterminingapplicationswhichsecurerenewableenergydevelopment,whilstprotectingandenhancingournatural,builtandhistoricenvironment(paragraph97).
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Zero carbon development -Zerocarbonstandardsforallnewhomesareduetocomeintoforcefrom2016,withinterimtighteningoftherequirementsfrom2013.Thiswillincreaserequirementsfortheintegrationofrenewableenergytechnologiesintonewhousingdevelopments.
3.3 New and changing financial incentives Anumberoffinancialincentiveshavebeenestablishedorareplannedtosupportrenewableenergy.
Feed-in Tariffs and Renewable Heat Incentive -ThekeypolicychangeinrecentyearswastheintroductionofaFeed-inTariffandRenewableHeatIncentivetoofferfinancialsupportforsmall-scalerenewableelectricityandrenewableheatprojects.Grantstofundupfrontcapitalcostsofrenewableenergyinstallationshavebeenphasedout.The2010introductionoftheFeed-inTariffhasseeninstallationratesofsolarPVincreaseexponentiallywhilstinstallationratesofotherrenewableelectricitytechnologieshaveincreasedtoasmallerextent.However,cutsfromMarch2012tosolarPVFeed-inTariffratesandchangestotheschemeeligibilityarelikelytoimpactseverelyontheinstallationrate.AcomprehensivereviewoftheFeed-inTariffiscurrentlyoutforconsultationwithproposalsforamechanismtoreducetariffsperiodicallyorinresponsetoexcessivedemandinthefuture.
TheintroductionoftheRenewableHeatIncentiveispredictedtoencourageincreaseduptakeofrenewableheattechnologies.Theschemeopenedforcommercialprojectsinautumn2011andisduetostartfordomesticinstallationsfromautumn2012.SuitableprojectsinstalledfromJuly2009onwards,beforethestart
ofthescheme,willbeeligibletoreceivepayments.
The Green Deal -whichisduetostartinautumn2012isafinancingmechanismtoenablehouseholderstooffsettheupfrontcostsofinstallingenergyefficiencymeasuresandmicrogenerationtechnologiesagainstthesavingsthatresultintheirenergybills.Howthismechanismwillinteractwithincentivesforrenewableenergyisnotyetcertain.
The Renewables Obligation -supportslargerrenewableelectricityinstallations.Governmenthasrecentlyconsultedonre-bandingtheobligationtoreducetheamountofsupportavailableformostonshoretechnologies,andtoincreaseitforwaveandtidaltechnologies.From2017,theRenewablesObligationwillbereplacedbyaContractforDifferenceFeed-inTariff.Thedetailsofhowthiswillworkarestillbeingdecided.
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individuallocalauthorityareaandsincetheremovaloftheregionalplanningframeworkthereisnolongera‘topdown’regionalorcountyplanningtargetforthedevelopmentofrenewableenergy.Despitethisitisclearthatthegovernmentexpectslocalauthorityareastoplaytheirpartinmeetingthenational2020renewableenergytarget.
Inadditiontothenationalrequirementtherearepotentiallysignificanteconomic,socialandenvironmentalbenefitsofensuringDorsetplaysitspartinmeetingthenationalrenewableenergytarget.Jointlyagreeingandworkingtowardsanambitioustargetforrenewableenergymayhelpattractexternalfunding,technologyclustersandinwardinvestmenttoDorset,aswellasbeingbeneficialintermsofclimatechangemitigationandenergysecurity.
4.2 The scale of the challenge in Dorset Dorset’stotalenergydemandisestimatedtobe15,904GWhby2020.ForDorsettogenerate15%ofthistotalenergydemandfromrenewablesourceswillrequireanestimated2,386GWhtobegeneratedintheareafromrenewableelectricityorheatinstallationsby2020.
CurrentgenerationinDorset(outlinedinSection2)isestimatedat146GWh,oronly0.95%oftotalenergydemand,athirdoftheUKnationalaverageof3%in2010.Fortheareatoplayitspartinmeetingnationalrenewableenergytargets,asignificantstepchangeisrequired,withgenerationneedingtoincreasebyover16timesinjust8years.
4.SettingarenewableenergytargetforDorset
7 Source:ENDSSpecialReport:RenewableEnergyEurope(Sept2010)
Asnotedinpara2.3theDorsetRenewableStrategy2005includedatargetforrenewableenergyelectricitygenerationwhichwasbasedonaregionalassessmentoftheavailablerenewableenergyresource.
AspartofupdatingthisStrategythetargethasbeenreviewed.Thishasincluded:
• takingaccountofthelatestnationalpolicydirection;
• updatingtherenewableenergyresourceassessment,inlinewiththelatestnationalmethodology;
• seekinglocalpeople’sviewsinordertosetanappropriatetargetforrenewableenergygenerationinBournemouth,DorsetandPoole,whichreflectslocalambitionbutisalsorealisticandachievable.
4.1 Implications of the National renewable energy target for Dorset Ashighlightedinpara.3.2theUKhassigneduptoachievealegallybindingEUtargetthat15%oftotalenergyconsumedwillcomefromrenewablesourcesby2020.Thisincludeselectricity,heatandtransportenergy.Thistargetishighlyambitious-in2008only2.2%oftotalnationalenergydemandwasgeneratedbyrenewableenergy.Achievingthetargetwillrequirea5foldincreaseinrenewableelectricitygenerationanda12foldincreaseinrenewableheatandcoolingintheUKby2020.7
ThistargetistobeachievedacrossthewholeoftheUK,ratherthanineach
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Theestimateofcurrentrenewableenergygenerationisheavilybasedon‘landfillgas’(100GWh),whichisadecliningresourceandlikelytohavereducedsignificantlyby2020,increasingthechallenge.
Inaddition,thecalculationofDorset’sfutureenergydemandassumesa4%reductioninenergydemandby2020inlinewithnationalandlocalenergyefficiencystrategies.Aconcertedeffortwillthereforealsoberequiredtoimproveenergyefficiencyinthepublic,privateandcommunitysectors.Itispossiblethatagreaterdemandreductioncouldbeachievedifsubstantialeffortsweremadelocallythroughinstallingenergyefficiencymeasuresandencouragingbehaviourchange.TheDorsetEnergyEfficiencyStrategy(2009)setsoutactionsfortheareatomaximiseeffortstoreduceenergydemand.
4.3 The national contribution to a local targetInJuly2011,theDepartmentofEnergyandClimateChange(DECC)publishedaRenewableEnergyRoadmapfortheUKto20208whichsetsouthowthegovernmentexpectsthenationaltargettobeachievedandhowmuchofthecontributionwillbegeneratedfrom‘national’ratherthanlocalresources.
DECC’sanalysisproposedthatatleasthalfoftheUK’s2020renewableenergytargetwillbemetfrom’nationallevel’renewableenergydeployment,suchasoff-shorewind,biomasselectricity(withalargecontributionfromcentralisedbiomasspowerstations,mostburningimportedwoodchipsorliquidbiofuels)andrenewabletransport(thelattermainlybasedonliquidbiofuels,alsolikelytobeimported).
ThishassignificantimplicationsforDorsetinthatitwouldbereasonabletoassume
thatevenifnoactionweretakenlocallyabouthalfofalocal15%targetmightbecontributedfromnationalprojectsoverwhichwewouldhavelimitedlocalcontrol.WhiletheRoadMapcertainlydoesnotabsolveDorsetofitsresponsibilitiestopromoterenewableenergy,itdoeshelpclarifytheareasonwhichthisStrategymightusefullyfocusbyhelpingusdifferentiatebetweennationalresources,whichwecanexpecttobedeployedregardlessoflocalaction,andtheremainder,overwhichwehavemoreinfluenceandcontrol.
Ifthe‘national’contributionistakenasagiven,Dorset’sStrategycanfocusonmeetingtheremaininghalfofa15%targetfromitsownpreferredmixoftechnologies,equatingtoroughly1,200GWh.Ifrelyingonthenationalcontributionisnotseenasadesirableoption,otherrenewabletechnologieswouldneedtobedeployedmorefullyiftheareaweretomeeta15%target.
4.4 What is our level of ambition?ThroughtheconsultationprocesslocalpeopleandorganisationswereaskedhowambitiousDorsetshouldbeonrenewableenergyandincontributingtothenational15%target.TheconsultationprocessfortheStrategyaimedtogaugethisleveloflocalambitionthroughapublicopinionsurvey,threeconsultationeventsheldinBournemouth,DorsetandPooleandspecificquestionswithintheconsultationexercise.
Overalltherewasstrongsupport(over80%)foradoptinganambitioustargetforDorsettogenerate15%ormoreofitstotalenergyneedsfromrenewablesourcesby2020andtomonitorperformancetowardsthistarget.
However,therewasalsoconcernraisedabouthowthisshouldbeachieved,inparticular:
8 Downloadablefromhttp://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/11/meeting-energy-demand/renewableenergy/2167-uk-renewable-energy-roadmap.pdf
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• thepotentialeffectsoflargescalerenewableenergydevelopment(particularlywind)onthelocalenvironmentandDorset’suniquelandscape;
• thepotentialinternationalimpactsofimportingbio-fuelsforlargescalepowerstations;
• theneedtoensuremaximumlocaleconomicandcommunitybenefit.
Anumberofkeyissueswerealsoraisedthroughtheconsultationprocess.Inparticularthereisanapparentcontradictioninthestronggenerallevelofsupportforrenewableenergywhichcontrastswithstrongoppositioninsomeareastospecifictechnologies,particularlyon-shorewindwithconcernsraisedoverscale,numbersandpotentialimpactstoDorset’suniqueenvironment.
Inadditionconcernswereraisedabouttheprovenanceofimportedbiomassandbiofuelsforlargescalebiomassinstallations.Thistypeofinstallationistobecountedaspartofthe‘national’contribution.IfthereislessrelianceonimportedwoodchipsandbioliquidstherewillbearequirementtoproduceahigherpercentageofrenewableenergyfromtheUK’sindigenousresourcestomeetthelegallybinding15%renewableenergytargetby2020.However,thereisaclearpreferencelocallyforutilisationoflocalbiomassresourcestomaximisethedeliveryoflocal,environmental,socialandeconomicbenefitsfromlocal,affordableandsecureenergysupplies.
4.5 Business as usual - is it enough? Lookingathistoricratesofrenewableenergyinstallation,recentandexpectedtrendsandknownfutureprojectsintheareatheprojected‘businessasusual’growthinrenewableenergygenerationhasbeenassessed.
Significant increase in micro-generation TheFeed-inTariffhasprovidedanaddedfinancialincentiveforinstallingrenewable
electricityandasaresulttherehasbeenarapidriseinsolarPVinstallationsinDorset.BetweentheendofJanuary2011and1stFebruary2012,over5,000renewableelectricityinstallationswereaddedtotheFeed-inTariffregisterofprojectsinDorset,totallinganadditional17.48MWofinstalledcapacity9,(inJanuary2011therewere578(1.49MW)PVinstallations).ItisexpectedthatthistrendwillslowsignificantlysincetheGovernmentannouncedareductioninsolarPVFeed-inTariffrateswhichwilltakeeffectfrom3March2012andchangestotheschemeeligibilityfrom1April2012.In2010/11,theareaalsonearlydoubleditsinstalledcapacityfromheatpumps,with0.37MWaddedfrom52projects.TheRenewableHeatIncentive(RHI)andRenewableHeatPremiumPaymentisexpectedtoresultinarisingnumberofrenewableheatinstallationsbutasthisisanewschemeitisdifficulttopredicttheexactimpactthiswillhave.
Proposed larger schemesLargerschemestendtobemorecomplexandpotentiallycontroversialwhichmeantheytakelongertodevelopandtoproceedthroughtheplanningprocess.Anumberofrecentlargescaleprojectshavereceivedplanningpermissionandareawaitingcompletionanditisassumedthatthesewillbeimplemented,addingtotherenewableenergygenerationinthearea.Theseinclude:
• 2biogasplantsatPiddlehinton(approved)andBlackmoreVale(openedJuly2011).
• 3MWebiomassplantatParleynearChristchurch(approved).
• A10MWenergyfromwastepyrolysisplantattheDorsetGreenTechnologyPark,Winfrith(approved).
• A1.2MWebiogasplantatPoundbury,Dorchesterwithbiogasinjectionintothegasgrid(underconstruction).
• Severalsolarfarms(approved).
9 Correctasof6thFebruary2012.Thereisalagbetweenprojectsbeinginstalledandappearingonthepublishedregistersothisfigureislikelytoincrease.
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2windfarms(9.2MWAlaskawindfarmatEastStoke,nearWarehamand9.2MWwindfarmatSiltonneartoGillingham)havealsocomeforwardinDorsetandwererefusedplanningpermissionin2011.Bothoftheseapplicationsarecurrentlysubjecttoappeal.Thesehavenotbeenincludedinthebusinessasusualassumptions.
InadditionfallingcostsforsolarPVarelikelytoresultinanincreaseinlargescalesolarfarmscomingforwardforplanningpermission.
Takingintoaccountthecurrentrenewableenergyinstallationsandexpectedfuturetrendsdescribedaboveandareductionin
thecontributionfromlandfillgasby2020ithasbeenestimatedthataround155GWhofenergyislikelytobegeneratedfromrenewablesourcesinDorsetby2020,asmallincreaseagainstcurrentlevels.Thisislikelytobefromalltechnologiesbutwiththelargestcontributionsfrombiomassandatwothirdsreductioninthecontributionfromlandfillgas.
Business as usual with national contributionFigure4.1showswhatcouldbeexpectedinDorsetby2020basedona50%contributionfromnationalrenewableenergyresourcesandtheprojected‘businessasusual’growthinlocalinstallations.Thiswouldbetheexpectedlevelofrenewableenergydeploymentifnofurtheractionwastakenlocallyandthenationalcontributionwasassumed.
0
500
1,000
1,500
2,000
2,500
Business as usual GWh)
Business as usual
15 %
Landfill gas
Biomass
Solar thermal
Heat pumps
Hydro
Solar PV
Onshore wind
National contribution
Figure 4.1 Predicted business as usual growth with national contribution
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Ascanbeseenfromfigure4.1thisassessmentindicatesthattheareaislikelytofallalongwayshortofmeetinga15%localtargetifthe“businessasusual”trajectorywastobemaintainedto2020,evenwithasignificantcontributionfromnationalresources,andthatfurtherlocalrenewableenergyresourceswillneedtobedeployedifDorsetistoachievesuchatarget.
4.6 What local renewable energy resources are available? AdetailedassessmentofpotentiallocalrenewableenergyresourcesinDorsethasbeencarriedoutfollowingastandardnationalmethodology(SQW).Thisassessmentestimatesamaximumtechnicallyavailableresourceforeachtypeofrenewable
energytechnology.Itcanbeusedtounderstandthescaleofresourcesavailableintheareas,helptounderstandtherelativepotentialofeachtechnologyusinglocalresourcesandhelptodeterminewhetheranaspirationaltargetforrenewableenergygenerationcouldbeachievableforthearea.Theresultsoftheassessmentareshowninfigure4.2anddetailedintheaccompanying‘RenewableEnergyResourceAssessmentforDorset’
Theassessmentalsoindicatesthatusingacombinationofresourcesandtechnologiesandassuminga7.5%nationalcontributionthata15%targetcouldbeachievedinDorset(righthandcolumnofFig4.2).
Figure 4.2 Theoretical maximum available renewable energy resources for Dorset
15 % target
Landfill gas
Onshore wind
Biomass
Solar thermal
Heat pumps
Hydro
Solar PV
National contribution
Reaching an aspirational target
0
500
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2,000
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3,000
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4,000
4,500
Nationalcontribution
Solar PV Hydro Heat pumps Solar waterheating
Biomass Onshore wind Landfill gas Combinedresources
GWh
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Theresourceassessmentisnotintendedtoprescribealevelofdeploymentofanyparticulartechnologyanditisimportanttorealisethat,inpractice,thesetheoreticalmaximumstendtobeover-estimates.Whiletheassessmenthastakenaccountofsomeconstraintsforeachtechnology,suchaslandscapeandenvironmentaldesignations,proximitytoresidentialpropertiesoravailabilityofsouthfacingroofs,furtherconstraintsneedtobeconsidered.
Theactual,realisticrenewableresourcethatcouldbeutilisedwilldependonavarietyofeconomic,technicalandsocialfactors.Forexampleitmaynotbeeconomicallyortechnicallyfeasibletoextractalltheavailablewoodresource,orenvironmentallyorsociallyacceptabletoexploitalltheavailablewindresource.Inrealitythismeansthateachtechnologytypeislikelytobedeployedatalevelsignificantlybelowthemaximumestimatedpotential.
4.7 Using a technology mix in Dorset Ratherthanprescribingatechnologymixtomeetatarget,theresourceassessmentexercisehasbeenusedtoopenthedebateonwhichmixoftechnologiesmightbesuitableforDorset.TherighthandcolumnofFigure4.2,illustrateshowarangeoftechnologieswillbeneededifa15%orgreatertargetistobeachieved–noonetechnologyonitsown,evenatmaximumdeployment,canbereliedupontoreachthetarget.Inreality,theexacttype,sizeandlocationoftechnologiesinstalledonthegroundwillbedeterminedbytheindividualplanningapplicationsandprojectsthatarebroughtforwardbydevelopers,individualsorcommunities.Anumberofkeypartnersnoted,throughtheconsultation,theneedtoencouragerenewableenergyinDorsetwiththeleastvisualimpact.
Thescaleoftechnologydeploymentisalsoakeyfactor.Table4.3aimstoillustratetheaverageenergygeneratingoutputofdifferenttypesandsizesofrenewableenergyinstallations.
Table 4.3 Typical generating outputs from renewable energy installation Electricity Generation
6kW hydro turbine
15kW wind turbine
2.5MW wind turbine
2kW solar PV panel
2.5MWe WID compliant CHP
2MWe AD
Output(MWh) 26 30 5913 2 24333 19467
Numberofhomesequivalentpowered
5.5 6.3 1234.9 0.4 5082 4065.6
Heat generation
150 kW biomass boiler
20kW biomass boiler
6kW heat pump
2.5MWe WID compliant CHP (heat output)
2MWe AD (heat output)
Output(MWh) 262.8 17.5 5.3 48666.7 23360
Numberofhomesequivalentheated
18.7 1.0 0.4 3472.1 1666.6
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Theaccompanyingdocument‘UnpackingRenewableEnergyTechnologiesforDorset’providesmoredetailedinformationonhowdifferentrenewableenergytechnologieswork,whattheconstraintsareandwheretheyarebestsuited.SomeofthekeyissuesforDorsetaresummarisedbelow.
Declining landfill gas Landfillsitesarefillingupandbeingclosedwithoutnewsitesbeingadded,asnationalandlocalpolicyisdivertingwasteawayfromlandfill.Renewableenergyproductionfromexistinglandfillsiteshasalifetimeofabout15years,astheorganicelementsofthewastedegradeovertime.Itisestimatedthatproductionatatypicallandfillsitewillfallbetween5%and10%perannum.Onthisbasislandfillcapacityintheareacouldtypicallydeclinetosome9.4MWein2015and5.5MWein2020.Asaresult,renewableenergygenerationfromlandfillgascouldbeestimatedtobeapproximately38.5GWhinDorsetin2020.AccordingtoestimatesfromtheDepartmentforEnergyandClimateChange,nationallythecontributionfromlandfillgaswillhavedroppedto0byaround202710.
Rural vs urbanMorebuilt-upurbanareaswilltendtohavefewerrenewableenergyresourcesavailableyethaveahigherenergydemand,sotheywillfind15%amorestretchingtargetthanruralareaswhichhavealowertotalenergydemandandmoreresourcepotential.Forurbanareas,retrofittingmicrogenerationtechnologiessuchassolarPV,solarthermalandheatpumpstohomesandbusinessesislikelytoprovidethegreatestareaofopportunity,butequallyenergyfromwasteanddistrictheatingschemescouldplayamajorrole.Itwillbeimportantthaturbanareasfocusonenergyefficiencytoreduceoveralldemand.
Role of onshore windOnshorewindisidentifiedasthesinglelargesttheoreticallyavailableresourceinDorset.Althoughsomeconstraintsincludinglandscapedesignationwereappliedtotheresourceassessmentitisrecognisedthatfurtherconstraintsneedtobeconsideredwhichwilllimitthisresourceinpractice.Thiswillneedtobeconsideredthroughtheplanningprocessandwillincludethecumulativeeffectoflargescalewindturbinesorsitespecificissuessuchasgridconnection,wildlifespecies,RADARetc.
However,itisalsoclearthatevenifallotherresourcesaredeployedatmaximumcapacity,andrenewableenergyresourcesdefinedas‘national’meet50%ofalocaltarget,therewouldstillneedtobesomedeploymentofonshorewindinDorset.ThisStrategythereforeproposesaproactiveapproachtoaccommodatingsuchdevelopmentwhereitwouldbemostacceptableviaaprocessoflandscapesensitivityanalysis.Thiscanbeappliedtoidentifythemostappropriatelocationsforsuchdevelopment,andavoidthemostsensitivelocations,andalsotoassessthescaleofdevelopmentwhichmightbeappropriatefordifferentlocations(seeplanningactionssection6–priorityarea3).
Role of offshore windOffshorewind,suchasthemajorwindfarmbeingproposedofftheDorsetCoast(NavitusBay),isconsidereda‘national’renewableenergyresourcebytheGovernment.Asanationalinfrastructureprojectnotsubjecttoalocalplanningapplication,therewillbelimitedlocalinfluenceoverwhetherornotNavitusBaywillbeapproved.Suchadevelopmentcouldhavesubstantialeconomicbenefitstothearea,throughthecreationoflocaljobs,developmentofthesupplychainandpotentiallythecreationofcommunityfunds.
10 http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/What%20we%20do/UK%20energy%20supply/Energy%20mix/Renewable%20energy/policy/renew_obs/1834-review-costs-potential-renewable-tech.pdf
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Micro generation technologiesMicrogenerationtechnologieshaveasignificantroletoplayinDorset.However,comparedtolargerrenewableenergytechnologiestheircontributionislikelytoberelativelylimited,ascanbeseenintable4.3.HoweverthewiderbenefitstoindividualsandcommunitiesfrominstallingmicrogenerationschemesaresignificantandtheywillcontinuetobevigorouslypromotedbytheStrategy.
Biomass and Bio-fuelsBiomassisrecognisedasoneofthemostimportanttechnologiesforruralDorsetduetotheavailabilityoflocalbiomassresourcesbutalsotheaddedpotentialbenefitsfortheenvironment,communitiesandtheeconomyfromdevelopingthelocalsupplychain.Aspecific‘bio-energy’workinggrouphasbeenprogressingthisarea.InparticulartheuseoflocalsustainablebiomassfuelsourcesisdirectlyinlinewiththeaimsoftheStrategy.
Imported bio-fuels used for energy generationareconsidereda‘national’renewableenergyresourcebytheGovernment,butitwasclearfromtheconsultationexercisethattheprovenanceandenvironmentalimpactsofimportedbio-fuelswasaparticularissueofconcernforlocalresidents.
Energyfromwasteandanaerobicdigestionhavesomepotentialbutarelimitedbytherelativelysmalllocallyavailableresourceandanumberofplantsalreadyinplanningorapprovedarelikelytoutilisemuchoftheavailableresource.
Hydro powerThistechnologywillbeabletoplayasmallroleindeliveringrenewableenergyduetothelimitednumberofriversintheareawithsufficienthead/flow.
Wave and TidalCurrenteconomicviabilityandlikelyfutureviabilitywithinthetimescalecoveredbytheStrategyseemtobelimitedforthesetechnologies.However,itisrecognisedthatthisisanareaofincreasinglyGovernmentinterestandviabilitymaychangewithinthistimescale.ChangestoRenewableObligationCertificates(ROCs)andfuturefundingopportunitiesshouldalsoresultinincreasedsupportfortidalcurrentandwaveenergy.Furtherresearchanddevelopmentandincentiveschemescouldimprovetheirviability.
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TheexistingvisionandaimsoftheDorsetRenewableStrategy(2005)havebeentestedthroughtheconsultationforthisrevisedStrategyandconsultationsuggeststhattheirretentionhaswidespreadsupport.However,anewaimonenergysecurityisproposedtoaddressthegrowingconcernaboutthisarea.
InadditiontoprovidingthestrategicdirectionfortheStrategy,thefiveaimsshouldalsobeseenasguidingprinciplesforallfuturerenewableenergydevelopmentlocally,confirmingthatrenewableenergydevelopmentshouldbeenvironmentally,sociallyandeconomicallysustainable.Thevisionandaimsareasfollows.
Our Vision“For the community of Dorset to play our part in mitigating climate change by using energy more efficiently and harnessing our viable renewable energy resources. We wish to maximise the local economic, environmental and community benefits that doing this can bring.”
Aims
1. Tomaximisethepotentialforlocaleconomicbenefitanddiversification.
2.TofacilitaterenewableenergydevelopmentthatisappropriatetoDorset’senvironmentandcommunities.
3. Toencourageahighdegreeofcommunityinvolvement,understandingandbenefitfromusingenergymoreefficientlyanddevelopingDorset’srenewableenergyresources.
4. ToenableDorsettoplayitspartinreducinggreenhousegasemissionsinlinewithlocal,regional,nationalandinternationaltargets.
5. Toprovidelocal,affordableandsecurerenewableenergysupplies.
Whilsttheaimsarenumberedthisdoesnotmeanthattheyareinanypriorityorder,rathertheyareallconsideredtobeequallyimportant.
5.1 Strategy Targets TheStrategywilladoptatwin-tracktarget:
A twin-track targetTakingintoaccountthenationalcommitmenttolegallybindingtargets,localpolicycommitmentstotackleclimatechange,theassessmentofavailableresourcesandthelevelofambitionevidenceintheresponsestoconsultation,theStrategyproposesanaspirationaltargetofatleast15%ofDorset,BournemouthandPoole’stotalenergyneedstobemetfromrenewablesources(electricity,heatandtransport)by2020.However,toreflecttheexpectationthatapproximately7.5%ofthiswillbedeliveredviarenewableenergyresourcesconsideredbyGovernmentas‘national’resources,regardlessoflocalaction,thisStrategywillfocusondeliveringasecondarytargetofa
5.Vision,AimsandTarget
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minimumof7.5%ofDorset’senergyneedstobemetfromlocalrenewableenergyresourcesoverwhichwehavemoreinfluenceandcontrol.
Thiswouldequate11totheareausingenoughlocalrenewableenergyresourcestogeneratejustunder1200GWhofenergyperyear-enoughtopowerabout250,000homesortoheataround85,000homes12.
11Thesefiguresareindicativeonlytogiveanimpressionofthescalethat1200GWhrepresents.Thenumberofhomespoweredorheatedrepresentsmorethan7.5%ofthearea’s345,340homesbecausethereareothertypesofenergyusemakinguptotalenergyuseintheareafromwhichthe7.5%targetiscalculated-includingcommercialandindustrialheating,powerandprocesses,andtransportenergyuse.
12Basedonalocaldomesticconsumptionaverageof4,800kWhofelectricityand14,000kWhofheat(fromDECCproducedlocalconsumptionfigureshttp://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/statistics/energy_stats/regional/regional.aspx
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ThisStrategyaimstosettheagreeddirectionoftravelforrenewableenergyinthelocalareato2020.Itsetsoutthepriorityareaswhereeffortneedstobefocusedtohelpusmeetouraspirationsforrenewableenergytogetherwithanumberofstrategicactionswhichneedtotakenforwardwithineacharea.Theseremainhighleveltoenablepartnerstodevelopmoredetailedactionsaroundthemandtobeflexibleenoughtoallowasensiblereactiontoanynewopportunitiesthatariseorunexpectednational/internationalpolicychanges.
Priority areas for actionThesixpriorityareasforactionthathavebeenidentifiedare:
Priority 1:Supportingthedevelopmentofcommunityrenewableenergy.
Priority 2:Maximisingthelocaleconomicbenefitsofrenewableenergygeneration.
Priority 3:Creatingamoresupportiveplanningsystemforrenewableenergy.
Priority 4:Developinglocallyappropriatetechnologies.
Priority 5:Deliveringleadershipandpartnershipsthatsupportrenewableenergy.
Priority 6: Improvingrenewableenergycommunicationsandlearning.
Eachpriorityarearepresentsatopicareawhereconcertedeffortisrequiredacross
multiplepartnersinordertobringaboutastepchangeinrenewableenergygenerationlocallyupto2020.UndereachoftheseheadingstheStrategyoutlinesthecurrentnationalandlocalposition,whatactionisalreadyunderwayintheareaandbarriersandopportunitiesforfurtheraction.Theseparticularlydrawfromtheresearchandevidencegathered,andtheresponsesreceived,throughtheconsultationprocess.
Strategic ActionsAnumberofstrategicactionsaregivenforeachpriorityarea.DetailedactionsarenotincludedwithinthisStrategyupdateasthesecanveryquicklydateanddonotallowforthedevelopmentofresponsestounexpectedfutureopportunitieswhichmaypresentthemselves.TheexactactionsthatareneededtoachievethepriorityareasforactionwillbedeterminedinmoredetailthroughactionplanningsessionsbytheDorsetEnergyPartnershipGroup’sworkinggroups.
Priority Area 1Supporting the development of community renewable energy
ContextCommunityrenewableenergyisanareaofgrowinginterestacrossDorsetwitharangeofcommunityenergygroupshavingestablishedoverthelastfewyears.TheFeed-inTariffhasmaderenewableelectricityprojectsaviableinvestmentforcommunitygroupsandhasraisedawarenessofthepotential.TheRenewableHeatIncentive
6.Takingaction
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islikelytohaveasimilarimpactforheattechnologies.
Communityenergyprojectscanhavesignificantbeneficialimpactsforthecommunity,includingimprovingenergysecurity,reducingcarbonemissions,tacklingfuelpovertyandimprovingcomfortlevels,generatingincomeforthecommunityandincreasingcommunitycohesion.Wherecommunityenergyprojectsproduceanincomeforthecommunitythereisamultipliereffectoncommunitycohesion:withfinancialbenefitsfromrenewableprojectssupportingfurthercommunityactivitiessuchascommunityfacilitiesoreventsthatbringthecommunitytogether.
Inaddition,renewableenergyschemesofferingsignificantlevelsofcommunitybenefitorledbythecommunityaremorelikelytobeacceptabletoandsupportedbythelocalcommunityandsomayfinditeasiertogainplanningpermission.TheLocalismAct’sproposedNeighbourhoodPlansandmorelocaldecisionmakingonplanningapplicationsmaymeanthatthereisagreaterneedforrenewableenergydeveloperstoengageproactivelywithlocalcommunitiestogaintheirsupport.
Progress to date
• The3-yearLocalAreaAgreement(LAA)rewardprojectwascompletedbyDorsetCountyCouncilPropertyManagementDivisioninMarch2009.Thisinnovativeprojectdelivered54renewableenergyinstallationsonpublicandcommunitybuildingsacrossDorsetwithacombinedinstalledcapacityof750kW.Thesuccessoftheprojectalsosecureda£750,000rewardgrantwhichwasre-allocatedbytheDorsetStrategicPartnership.Aproportionofthishasfurthersupportedenergyefficiencyandrenewableenergy.
• AnumberofwellattendedcommunitysustainableenergytrainingseminarshavebeendeliveredinDorsetbytheEnergySavingTrustthroughtheir“GreenCommunities”programme.
• AverysuccessfulDorsetCommunitySustainableEnergyConferencewasheldinApril2010toraiseawarenessofcommunitybasedenergyprojectsinDorsetandfurtherafield,includingpresentationsfromTotnesandLewes(Sussex).Akeyoutcomefromtheconferencewassupportforsettingupalocalcommunityenergywebresource.
• ADorsetcommunityenergywebresourcewasdevelopedin2011toenablecommunitygroupsandindividualstosharedetailsofprojectsandservicesinDorset.ItincludesdetailsfromlocalTransitionTowngroups,DorsetEnergyAdviceCentre,DorsetCountyCouncil,EnergySavingTrust,andCommunitiesforRenewables.
Current issues and opportunitiesTobesuccessfulindevelopingcommunityrenewableenergyprojectscommunitygroupsneedadequate,independenttechnicalandfinancialsupportatallstagesfromtheinitialideatoinstallation.Currentlythereisalackofinformationandunderstandingoffinancialmechanismsandmodelsthatmaysuitandallowcommunitylevelrenewableschemes.Asaresult,thereisaneedtoofferfurthersupportandadvicetocommunitygroupswithinDorset,extendingthereachofthecurrentadviceservicesandpartneringwiththirdsectorproviderstodeliveronthegroundsupport.
Thehugenationalinterestincommunityrenewablesatpresentmeansthatthereareanumberofgrantfundingstreamsavailabletooffersupportandadvicedirectlytocommunitygroups.Communitiestendto
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needprofessionalsupporttoapplyforthesesourcesoffunding.
Opportunitiestoshareknowledgeandfinancial,businessandexperttechnicalguidancebetweencommunitygroupsneedtobeexplored.Forexample,acommunityenergynetworkcouldbeestablishedtomakebetteruseofsocialmedia,undertakecommunityroadshows,traincommunitychampions,publishcasestudiesandproducerenewableenergygoodnewsstoriesforthepress.Morecommunitiesneedtobeinspiredtodeveloptheirowncommunityenergyprojects.Exemplardemonstrationsitescouldbecreatedtoinspirecommunitiesandshowwhatcanbeachieved.
Alocalauthorityresource,suchasaCommunityRenewablesOfficer,coulddrivethecommunityenergyagendaacrossthewholearea,identifyingfundingstreamsforcommunities,improvingcommunicationsandsignpostingtoappropriateadviceproviders.However,thereisalackofpublicfundingavailabletoprovideprofessionalsupporttocommunitygroups.Allsupportprovisionshouldbeabletodemonstratethebusinesscaseforinvestingtheresources.
The‘localismagenda’islikelytohavemajor,butasyetuncertainimpactsonthewaythatrenewableenergyschemeplanningapplicationsaremadeanddetermined.Neighbourhoodplanningislikelytohavemoreemphasisonlocaldecisionmakingandmayofferopportunitiesforcommunitiestobecomemoreengagedinrenewableenergyschemesandpro-activelyengagewithdevelopers,potentiallyresultinginanincreasednumberofcommunityscaleschemeswhichbenefitlocalpeople.ParishCouncilsarelikelytohaveakeyroleininitiatingneighbourhoodplansandcommentingonplanningapplications.
Strategic actions – Priority Area 1:1.1 Tosupportcommunitiestowork
togethertopromotecommunityaction,improvecommunicationandsharebestpracticeandadvice,buildingontheexistingenergywebresource.
1.2 Tobuildabusinesscase,seekfundingandpartnerstosupportthedevelopmentofcommunityrenewableenergyadvicedeliveryacrossBournemouth,DorsetandPoole.
1.3 Toworkwithlocalcommunitiestoencouragerenewablesandmaximisefundingopportunities.
1.4 ToenabletheeffectivenetworkingoforganisationsandindividualsonrenewableenergyandenergyefficiencyacrossDorset.
Priority Area 2Maximising the local economic benefits of renewable energy generation
ContextDorsetcurrentlyspendsover£800millionperyearonenergyfromfossilfuels(includingtransportfuels)andnuclearpower.Thevastmajorityofthisexpenditureislosttothelocaleconomy.Developinglocalrenewableenergyresourcescreatesskilledlocaljobsandcanhelptoretainenergyspendinthelocaleconomy.Forexample,estimatesfromautumn2011assessedthattheFeed-inTariffhadgeneratedtotalnetincomeof£400,000perannumtohouseholdersinDorsetfrom
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solarPVsystemsalreadyinstalled.(ByJanuary2012,duetothesharpincreaseinPVinstallationsoverthelastyearthissumisnowover£4million).JobsintherenewableenergysectorintheSouthWesthavegrownstronglyyearonyearwiththenumberofdirectfulltimejobsrisingfrom2,900in2008to5,160in2010accordingtoareportfromRegenSW13.ThisisagainstoverallshrinkageintheUKeconomyof3.4%.
WithinDorseta‘GreenKnowledgeEconomy’14modelwasadoptedin2009bytheBournemouth,DorsetandPooleMulti-AreaAgreement(MAA)todrivelocaleconomicgrowth.Withinthismodel,thereisaroletodevelop“strongeconomiccommunitiesofinterest”aroundrenewableenergy,aswellastosupportallbusinessestoembracerenewableenergyandenergyefficiency.
ThisthinkinghasinformedtheProspectusoftheDorsetLocalEnterprisePartnershipwhichhassucceededtheMAA.ItwillbeimportantthattheGreenKnowledgeEconomyfocusiscontinuedandstrengthened,sothatrenewableenergyopportunitiescanbeintegratedintothearea’seconomicplans.
Progress to dateTherehasbeenlimitedprogresslocallytomaximisethelocaleconomicpotentialofrenewableenergy.Keyactivitiesinclude:
• InSeptember2010theDorsetEnergyGrouphostedasuccessfulLocalAuthorityandSocialHousing‘PVforFree’seminartoenablelocalauthorityofficersandbusinesspartnerstobetterunderstandandcompareofferstoinstallPVsystemsforfreeonLocalAuthorityownedlandandbuildingsandinsocialhousing.TheseminarfocusedonPVforfreeoffersforland(i.e.surfacecarparks)
androofmountedinstallations,withfinanceprovidedbytheinstaller.
• AsaresultoftheFeed-inTariff,therewereover70registeredsolarPVinstallationcompanieswithinthelocalareabyDecember2011-thesecondhighestnumberforanyCountyintheSouthWest–employinganestimated250people.
• WorkhasbeenundertakenbyRegenSWtoexplorethelocaleconomicopportunitiesfromtheproposedNavitusoffshorewindfarm.ThisworkincludedasupplychainseminarheldonPortlandin2011.
• AdviceandsupporttolocalrenewableenergydevelopersbyDorsetCountyCouncil’sRenewableEnergyDevelopmentOfficer.
Current issues and opportunitiesIntegratingrenewableenergyintotheworkoftheLocalEnterprisePartnershipprovidesanopportunitytoincubategreentechnologyjobsandencourageinnovativemanufacturingofrenewabletechnologies.Thereareopportunitiestocreatenetworksofgreentechnologybusinessestoshareknowledgeandcreatebusinessopportunities.Thereisalsotheneedforsupportandadvicetobeprovidedtootherbusinessesaboutopportunitiestoinvestinrenewableenergyontheirpremises.
Thelocaleconomicbenefitsofrenewablesarenotwellunderstood,communicatedorrealised.Thereisaneedforgreaterinformationgatheringanddisseminationabouttheeconomicbenefitstosupportthecaseforinvestinginrenewables.
CurrentinterestinsolarPV,othermicrogenerationtechnologiesandrenewable
13 RegenSW(2010)TheEconomicContributionoftheRenewableEnergyandEnergyEfficiencySectorsintheSouthWestofEngland,http://regensw.s3.amazonaws.com/1282046376_675.pdf
14 ThetermGreenKnowledgeEconomyisexplainedinanotefortheBournemouth,DorsetandPooleMulti-AreaAgreementbyGeoEconomicshttp://www.investindorset.co.uk/downloads/The%20GKE%20Framework.pdf
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heatoffersopportunitiesforlocalskilledjobs.However,thereisalackoftrainingavailablelocallyinthepracticalskillsneededtoinstallrenewableenergytechnologiesaswellasagenerallackofawarenessofwhatcoursesarealreadyonofferlocally.AtBournemouthandPooleCollege,coursesareofferedinplumbingandelectricsthatcansupportmicrogenerationskillsbuttherearecurrentlynocollegesintheareathatspecialiseinskillsforrenewables.Greatercooperationbetweencolleges,universities,professionalbodies,theprivateandpublicsectorisneededtofacilitateadequatetrainingprovisiononrenewableswithinthearea.Linksbetweenindustryandtrainingprovidersneedtobestrengthenedtoensuretrainingprovisionmeetstheindustry’srequirements.
ThereisalimitedtidalresourcearoundPortlandBillthatfuturedevelopmentsintidalcurrenttechnologymayopenup.Atpresenttherearenosuitableshorelinewavedevelopmentsitesinthearea.Thereremainsomeopportunitiesforinvestmentintheresearchanddevelopmentofwaveandtidaltechnologiesinregionalcompaniesanduniversities.Theplanned900MWNavitusBaywindparkhasthepotentialtobringsubstantialeconomicdevelopmenttothearea,withconstructionandmaintenancejobspotentiallybeingcreatedlocallybothonshoreandoffshore.ThereareopportunitiestoenhancelocalportinfrastructureatPortlandandPooletoenablethemtoserveasmaintenancebasesforthisoffshoredevelopment.
Strategic actions – Priority Area 2:2.1 ToworkwiththeDorsetLocal
EnterprisePartnershiptomaximisethepotentialeconomicbenefitsfortheareafromrenewableenergyandagreenknowledgeeconomy.
2.2 Tosupportthecreationandgrowthofalocalnetworkofrenewableenergyinstallers,suppliersandmanufacturerstoshareknowledge,learningandfacilitatepartnerships.
2.3 Togatheranddisseminateinformationaboutthelocaleconomicbenefitsofrenewables.
2.4 Tofeedintoplansfordevelopinganddeliveringfutureeducationandtrainingfortherenewablessector.
Priority Area 3Creating a more supportive planning system for renewable energy
ContextAsupportiveplanningsystemhasamajorimpactonthelevelofrenewableenergydeliveredinanarea.Proactiveplanningofficerswithasupportivepolicyenvironmentareabletoworkwithrenewableenergydevelopers,oftenatapre-applicationstage,toshapeschemestobelocallyappropriate.Plannerscanalsoworkwithhousingandcommercialsitedeveloperstofacilitatethedeliveryofdevelopmentsthatmaximiseappropriateopportunitiestointegraterenewablesintosites.
TherehasbeenasignificantchangeinnationalplanningpolicywiththeintroductionofanewNationalPlanningPolicyFrameworkinMarch2012.PlanningpolicywillnowbedeliveredthroughthedevelopmentofLocalPlansandNeighbourhoodPlans.
Localplanningauthoritieswillneedtoensurethattheyhaveappropriatepoliciesinplacetoensurethatarobustplanningprocess
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canbefollowed,leadingtogoodqualitydecisionmaking.
PermitteddevelopmentrightsfordomesticmicrogenerationtechnologieswereupdatedinAugust2011.Clarityonwhatisandwhatisnotpermitteddevelopment(i.e.doesnotrequireplanningpermission)needstobecommunicatedeffectivelytothepublic.
TheChancellorannouncedinthe2011autumnbudgetstatementthatpermitteddevelopmentrightsforsolarPVonnon-domesticbuildingswillbeintroducedatafuturedate.
Progress to date
• TrainingopportunitiesforplanningofficersandCouncillorsandatoolkittosupportsustainableenergytargetsinCoreStrategieshavebeendevelopedacrosstheregionbyworkingwithRegenSW
• PermitteddevelopmentrightsfordomesticsolarpanelshavebeenclarifiedandsubsequentlypromotedtoensureaconsistentapproachacrossallofDorset’slocalauthorities.
• AleafletwaspublishedinMarch2009onthelandscapeimpactsofenergycrops.
• Aseriesoftrainingevents/seminarshavebeendeliveredinDorsetoverthelast3yearstargetedatPlanningPolicy,DevelopmentControlandBuildingControlOfficers,ontheCodeforSustainableHomes,anIntroductiontoRenewableEnergyandalowcarbondistrictheatingseminar(organisedinpartnershipwithRegenSW).
• WestDorsetDistrictCouncil,workingwithRegenSW,havedevelopedaLocalEnergyPlanforthedistrict,analysingenergyconsumptionandrenewableresourcesonaspatialbasistogaina
greaterunderstandingofthepotentialforrenewablesinthearea.
• DistrictheatingfeasibilitystudieshavebeenundertakeninDorchesterandBournemouth.
• AmethodologyhasbeendevelopedwithinDorsettoundertakelandscapesensitivityanalysistounderstandwhethersensitiveareasarecapableofaccommodatingthevisualimpactsofrenewableenergyinstallations.
Current issues and opportunities Changestotheplanningsystempresentanopportunitytodeveloplocallyspecificpoliciesthatsupportandfacilitatethedeliveryofrenewableenergyandlowcarbondevelopment.Paragraph97oftheNPPFsuggestsaroleforlocalauthoritiestousetheDECCresourceassessmentwork15tomapandunderstandtheirrenewableenergyresourcesinordertotakeamoreproactiveapproachtoplanningforrenewables.Localenergyplanning,aspilotedbyRegenSWinWestDorset,isanexampleofthismappingapproachinaction.OtherlocalplanningauthoritieswithinDorsetcouldadoptasimilarapproach.Evenwhererenewableresourceshavebeenmapped,theexacttype,sizeandlocationoftechnologiesinstalledonthegroundwillbedeterminedbydecisionsonindividualplanningapplications.
TheopportunityexiststousethelandscapesensitivityanalysismethodologydevelopedinDorsetmorewidelyacrosstheareatounderstandwhichareascouldaccommodaterenewableenergyinstallationsandthescaleofdevelopmentappropriateinthelandscape.
Thereisthepotentialforagreaterdegreeofpre-applicationinteractionbetweenplannersanddeveloperstoensurethatdevelopments
15 Inthesouthwest,thisworkwascommissionedbyRegenSWaccordingtotheDECCmethodologyandusedtounderpintheresourceassessmentforthisstrategy
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aredeliveredthatmaximiserenewableenergyopportunitiesandthatrenewableenergyapplicationsarelocallyappropriate.Thesediscussionscouldbesupportedbyplanningperformanceagreements.Inaddition,thereisthepotentialformoredetailedinformationaboutenergydemandandcarbonemissionreductiontobeincludedonplanningapplicationsfornewdevelopments.
Localauthorityplannersareoftenwellplacedtofacilitateandcoordinatetheplanningofdistrictheatnetworks,bothonnewdevelopmentsandinexistingareas–throughplanningpolicy,opportunitymappingandbyfacilitatingdiscussionswithdevelopers.
Toensurethatsupportivepoliciesarecontinuedorintroduced,thereisaneedfortrainingandinformationforplannersandcouncillorsabouttheopportunities,benefitsandimpactsofrenewableenergyintheirarea.Then,forexample,localplanningguidancecouldbedeveloped,asithasinCornwall,topromoteunderstandingaboutthedifferentscalesofwindpowersothatsmall15metrehighturbinesarenotsubjecttothesameplanningconsiderationsaslargemulti-turbinewindfarms.Othertechnologiescouldalsobenefitfromsimilarguidanceforplanners.
Thereiscurrentlynocommonlyagreedmethodforrecordingrenewableenergyplanningapplicationsacrossthelocalplanningauthoritiesinthearea,althoughindividualauthoritiesmayhavetheirownsystems.Acommonsystemwouldimproveunderstandingofissuesofcumulativeimpact,aswellasprovideopportunitiestosharelearningbothwithinandbetweenlocalplanningauthoritiesaboutplanningapplications.Forexample,anofficerwhohasdealtwithasmallwindturbineapplication
inoneauthoritycouldsharetheknowledgetheygainedwithofficersinothercouncils.
TheintroductionoftheCommunityInfrastructureLevy(CIL–thecollectionofmoneyfromnewdevelopment)islikelytoprovidelimitedopportunityforrenewableenergyinmanypartsofBournemouth,DorsetandPoole,asthemajorityoffundingraisedislikelytoberequiredfortransportandnatureconservation.However,theintroductionof‘allowablesolutions’aspartofthegovernment’szerocarbonhomesinitiative,mayprovidemoreopportunitytosupportrenewableenergyandenergyefficiency.Atpresentitisunclearhowthismayoperate.
Strategic actions – Priority Area 3:3.1 Toprepareforforthcomingchanges
intheplanningsystem,whichmaypresentnewopportunitiesandchallengesinthedevelopmentofrenewableenergy.
3.2 Todeveloplocalenergyplansand/orotherformsofmappingforidentifyingtherenewableenergyopportunitiesacrossDorset.
3.3 Seektoemploythelandscapesensitivityanalysismethodologyacrossthearea.
3.4 Todevelopinnovativeapproachestoworkingwithdevelopers–suchasplanningperformanceagreementsorsupportfordevelopersandconsultantssubmittingplanningapplicationstobetterunderstandcurrentrenewableenergytechnologiesandbestpractice.
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3.5 Toimproveinformationaboutenergyuseandcarbonreductiononplanningapplications.
3.6 Toexploreopportunitiesforlocalauthorityplannerstofacilitatedistrictheatnetworks.
3.7 Toconsiderdevelopingguidanceforplannersaboutdifferentscalesofwindenergyandapplicationrequirementsforothertechnologies.
3.8 Toinformdevelopmentmanagersandmembersaboutrenewableenergytechnologies,sharingrecordsofplanningapplicationsandlearningwithinandbetweenauthorities.
3.9 Toprovideongoingtraining/briefingforofficersandcouncillorssothattheyareawareofthebenefitsandimpactsofdifferenttechnologiesandcanmakeobjectiveassessmentsoftheopportunities.
3.10Todevelopanuptodateresourceforsignpostingforinformationandlegislationforusebyplanners,members,developers,ParishandTownCouncilsandlocalcommunities
Priority Area 4Developing locally appropriate technologies
ContextTheresourceassessmentundertakentosupportthedevelopmentofthisStrategyshowsthatthereispotentialfor
allrenewableenergytechnologiestobedeliveredtosomeextentwithintheareaofDorsetandthatamixoftechnologieswillberequiredifthe15%aspirationaltargetistobeachieved.
DuetotheruralnatureofDorset,thecountyhaslargeopportunitiesforsupplyingandusinglocallygrownbiomass,withthepotentialofofferinglocaleconomicbenefitsthroughthedevelopmentofalocalsupplychain.Onshorewindalsohassignificantpotentialasarenewableenergyresource.However,thearea’suniquelandscapeandlargenumberofenvironmentaldesignationscanmakeonshorewindapplicationscontroversial.Thereisalsosomelimitedpotentialforanaerobicdigestionintheareausingfoodandanimalwastes.SolarPVinstallationsofallscalescouldalsomakeacontributiontothearea’srenewableenergydeployment.
Theurbanareas(BournemouthandPooleandtheurbancentresoftheDorsetCountyarea)havegreateropportunitiesfordeployingmicrogenerationtechnologies,suchassolarPVanddistrictheatnetworks.Thisdistinctionbetweenurbanandruralareasisusefultoprovidefocustosupportactivitiesbutisnotaclearcutdistinction.Thereareurbanfarms,andruralareasarealsosuitableformicrogenerationtechnologiesandsmaller-scaledistrictheatnetworks.
Intermsofoffshore,thereisalimitedtidalresourcearoundPortlandBillthatfuturedevelopmentsintidalcurrenttechnologymayopenup.Atpresenttherearenosuitableshorelinewavedevelopmentsitesinthearea.Thereisaplanned900MWNavitusBaywindparkthatisbeingdeveloped.Furtheroffshorewindsitesmaybeavailableinthefuturebutlead-intimesarelong,anditwouldbemanyyearsbeforethesecouldbeinstalled.
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Progress to dateWorkintheareahasparticularlyfocusedonbiomassandmicrogenerationtechnologiesforthereasonpreviouslymentioned.Progressoninstallationsintheareahasbeennotedinprevioussections.KeyactivitiesundertakenbytheDorsetEnergyGrouphaveincluded:
• CompletionofawoodresourceassessmentfortheareaandresearchintoopportunitiesforwoodfuelsupplyforDorsetCountyCouncilandPurbeckDistrictCouncil.
• DevelopmentofprojectstosupportlocalwoodfuelsupplyincludingpartnershipswithRSPBand‘DirectfromDorset’accreditationschemesforwoodsuppliers.
• IncreasedinstallationofmicrorenewabletechnologiesanddemonstrationschemesonLApropertyparticularlyschools.
• PartnershipworkingandfeasibilitystudiestoexploreopportunitiesfordistrictheatingandtobringforwardschemessuchassolarPVonlocalauthorityestateandsocialhousing.ACommunityInterestCompanyhasalsobeensetupinPooleasapartnershipbetweentheCouncil,BournemouthUniversityandTransitionTown(Poole)toinvestigatetherenewableenergygenerationfromtheresourcesinPooleHarbour
• TheBoroughofPoolewasfundedthroughtheLowCarbonFrameworkprogrammetoresearchthepotentialtoreduceCO2emissionsfromdifferentapproachestothemanagementofmunicipalwaste16.TheassessmentwhichusedtheWasteandResourcesAssessmentsoftwareToolfortheEnvironment(WRATE)includedanevaluationofanautoclavingprocessdevelopedbyalocalcompanyAerothermal,wherebyunsortedblackbagwasteistreatedwithhightemperaturesteamtoproducecleanrecyclablessuch
asmetals,glassandplasticsandaliquidslurryrichintheorganicfractionofwastewhichcanbeusedasfeedstockforaconventionalbiogas(anaerobicdigestion)plant.
Current issues and opportunities DespitetherecentboominsolarPVinstallations,thereremainssignificantpotentialforfurtherinstallationsofthisandothermicrogenerationtechnologiesacrossthearea.Thenumberofinstallationsislimitedpredominantlybytheavailabilityofpersonalcapitalforhouseholders–onlyasmallproportionofthepopulationislikelytohavethefundsavailabletoinvestinsolarPVorothermicrogenerationtechnologiesontheirproperty.TheproposedcutintheFeed-inTariffforsolarPVislikelytohavereducedthenumberofpeopleabletoinvest,astherateofreturnisnowrelativelyuneconomicforanypersonneedingtoborrowcapitaltofinanceaninstallation.However,opportunitiesremaintoraiseawarenessamongsthouseholders,businessesandcommunitiesaboutmicrogenerationtechnologies,aswellastosupporttheminpurchasinggoodqualityequipmentfromlocal,reputableinstallers.
Thereisthepotentialtoenlargethelocalbiomasssupplychainforrenewableheating,usingsustainablyproduced,indigenouswoodandenergycropsupplies,bringingadditionaljobstothearea,offeringbiodiversitybenefits,providinggreeninfrastructureandincreasingthesecurityofenergysupplies.TheconsultationprocessforthisStrategyhighlightedconcernsaboutthesustainabilityofusingimportedbiofuelsandbiomasstodeliverrenewableenergyandtheaimsofthisStrategyspecificallysupporttheuseoflocallysourcedbiomass.
Thereisalargeuntappedonshorewindresourceintheareawithopportunitiesforsmall,mediumandlargeturbines.However,onshorewindremainsatopicofmuchdebate,
16http://www.poole.gov.uk/environment/sustainability-and-carbon-reduction/carbon-management-programme/
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withbothproandantigroupsinexistence.Theon-lineopinionsurveyundertakenwiththeDorsetCitizensPanelaspartofthisStrategyfoundthatonshorewindpolarisedopiniontothegreatestextentwith26.6%ofrespondentsagainstorstronglyagainstonshorewindbutover55%supportingorstronglysupportingit.Greaterprovisionofobjectiveinformationaboutonshorewindisneededtoenablepeople,planningofficersandcouncillorstomakeaconsideredassessmentofitsbenefitsandimpacts.
ThepotentialvisualimpactsofwindturbineswithinDorset’suniqueenvironmenthasbeenraisedasanissueofparticularconcern.Individualplanningapplicationswillcontinuetobeconsideredonacase-by-casebasis,withconsiderationgiventotheappropriatenessofaproject’sscaleanddesigninthatlocation.ThelandscapesensitivityanalysismethodologydevelopedwithinDorsettounderstandwhethersensitiveareasarecapableofaccommodatingthevisualimpactsofrenewableenergyinstallationsshouldbeusedtoensurewinddevelopmentsareappropriatelysitedinthelandscape.Smallerschemesorschemeswithlimitedvisualimpacttendtobemorereadilyaccommodatedinsensitivelandscapes.
Newopportunitiesforenergyfromwasteplantsarelimitedintheareabytherelativelysmalllocallyavailableresourceandtheexistingplanningpermissionfora10MWenergyfromwastepyrolysisplantattheDorsetGreenTechnologyParkinWinfrith.Anaerobicdigestionpresentsanopportunityforthearea,butagainthereareanumberofsitesalreadyinplanningthatarelikelytousealargeproportionoftheavailablefoodwasteresource.Thereissomepotentialforsmalleranaerobicdigestionplantsusingfarmwastesandenergycrops.ThecurrentFeed-inTariffandRenewableHeatIncentivepresentfinancialincentivesforfarmers
interestedindevelopingon-farmanaerobicdigestersandthereareloansavailablefromWRAPtosupportcapitalcosts.Thereisanopportunitytosupportrurallandownerstounderstandtheopportunitythatanaerobicdigestionandotherrenewableenergytechnologiescurrentlypresent.
Strategic actions – Priority Area 4:4.1 Tosupporthouseholdersand
businessesinunderstandingtheopportunitiesofmicrogenerationtechnologiesandencouragingthemtobuyfromlocal,reputableinstallers
4.2 Tosupportthedevelopmentof
thelocalsustainablebiomasssupplychain,withlocalauthorities,landowners,businessesandcommunitygroups.
4.3 Toprovideobjectiveinformation
tothepublic,planningofficersandcouncillorsabouttheprosandconsofrenewableenergytechnologies.
4.4 Toraiseawarenessamongstrurallandownersoftheopportunitiesforrenewableenergytechnologiesandenergycrops.
Priority Area 5Delivering leadership and partnerships that support renewable energy
Context TheDorsetEnergyGroup(nowtheDorsetEnergyPartnership)hasalreadysuccessfullyledthewayonrenewablesacrossthearea,deliveringactivitiesagainsttheDorset
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RenewableEnergyStrategy(2005).ThedevelopmentanddeliveryofthisnewStrategywillprovideanopportunitytoreviewthegovernanceoftheGrouptoensurethatitisstillfitforpurpose.
Progress to date
• DorsetEnergyGroupalreadyworkseffectivelyasapartnershipandhasastrongregionalreputation,whichprovidesasoundbasisforimprovedcooperationanddeliveryagainstactionsinthefuture.
• ALocalAuthorityCouncillornetworkhasbeenestablishedtoprovideregularupdatestolocaldecisionmakersandhasbeensupportedbytrainingandseminars.
• Dorset’slocalauthoritieshavebeenleadingbyexampleintheinstallationofrenewableenergydemonstrationschemes,particularlywithintheschools’estate.DorsetCountyCouncil’sLocalAuthorityArearewardgrantprojectresultedinover50installations.
• DorsetCountyCouncilhadalsoplanneda£1millioninvestmentprogrammetodeliversolarPVinstallationson30schoolsbetweenDecember2011andMarch2012.TheunexpectedchangestotheFeed-inTariffforsolarPVhaveunfortunatelychangedthebusinesscaseforthisprogramme,whichisnowonhold.
Current issues and opportunitiesThereviewprocesshashighlightedtheneedforeffectivegovernanceandaccountabilityfortheDorsetEnergyGroup(nowDorsetEnergyPartnership),itsstrategies,deliveryprojectsandactionplans.ThiswillbeimportanttoensurethatthereissupportatbothapoliticalandprofessionallevelwithinpartnerorganisationsfordeliveringtheStrategy.Thereisalsoaneedtobringinadditionalstakeholdersfromacrossthepublic,privateandcommunitysectorsto
supportdeliveryoftherevisedStrategy.Thepublicsectorhasgreatpotentialtoleadthewayonrenewables,workingwiththeprivatesectortodevelopinnovativenetworksandpartnershipsthatdeliverrealprojects.Thepublicsectorcanalsofacilitatecommercialsectorprojectsbyraisingawarenessofrenewableenergyopportunitiesandbringingpotentialpartnerstogether.EconomicDevelopmentOfficersandtheLocalEnterprisePartnership(see7.4.2above)couldplayakeyroleindevelopingthesepartnerships.
Inorderforlocalauthoritiestoleadonrenewablesinthearea,thereneedstobeongoingtrainingforofficersandcouncillorssothattheyareawareofthebenefitsandimpactsofdifferenttechnologiesandcanmakeobjectiveassessmentsoftheopportunities.
ThedecisioninAugust2010toallowlocalauthoritiestobeabletosellrenewableelectricitytothegridhasopenedthedoorforlargerrenewableenergyprojectstobeledbylocalauthorities.Europeanfundingstreamsandothergrantfundingsourcesareavailabletothepublicsectortocoverthenon-capitalcostsofdevelopingprojects.Demonstrationschemesledbythepublicsectorcanraiseawarenessaboutrenewableenergytothewidercommunity,aswellasdeliveringenvironmentalandeconomicbenefits.Thereisthepotentialtolearnfromotherlocalauthoritiesoutsidetheareathathavebeensuccessfulindevelopinglargescaledemonstrationschemes,suchasforbiomassdistrictheatingandCHP.Thereisaneedforthepublicsectoracrosstheareatoassessorre-assesstherelativetechnologyoptionsforinstallingrenewablesontheirownestates,includingcountyfarms,followingtheFeed-inTariffreview,inlightoftheintroductionoftheRenewableHeatIncentiveandoncethedetailsoftheGreenDealhavebeenmadeclear.
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Strategic actions – Priority Area 5:5.1 Establisheffectivegovernance
andaccountabilityfortheDorsetEnergyPartnership,itsstrategies,deliveryprojectsandactionplans.
5.2 Promotecloserinvolvementofotherkeystaff,forexample,economicdevelopmentofficers,withinfuturelocalrenewableenergyworkandprovidetrainingforofficersandcouncillors.
5.3 Assessanddevelopopportunitiesforrenewableenergyonthepublicsectorestateacrossthearea.
Priority Area 6Improving renewable energy communications and learning
ContextThedevelopmentofthisStrategywasaccompaniedbyanon-linepublicopinionsurvey,usingtheDorsetCitizensPanel.Theresultsarepublishedasthe‘SurveyofPublicOpinionontheDevelopmentofRenewableEnergyinDorset’.Therewere557respondentstothesurveyfromarangeofareas,agegroupsandbackgrounds.Over85%ofrespondentssaidtheystronglysupportedorsupportedthedevelopmentofrenewableenergyintheCounty.Themajorityofrespondentsalsoindicatedthattheyhadgoodlevelsofunderstandingofrenewableenergytechnologies.
Renewableenergyisatechnicalandfastdevelopingareaandthereremainsalargeamountofmisleadingandfalseinformationaboutcosts,benefitsandapplicationof
renewableenergytechnologiesinthepublicdomain.Toenableinformedandunbiaseddebatethereisaneedtocommunicatetheprosandconsofrenewableenergyeffectivelyandtoraiseawarenessamongstindividuals,businesses,thepublicsectorandcommunitiesabouttheopportunitiesthatrenewableenergycanofferforthem.
ThispriorityareaunderpinstheotherpriorityareasidentifiedinthisStrategyanditiscriticalthatbothenergyefficiencyandrenewableenergyawarenessarepromotedtogether.
Schoolsarealsoafocusofactivityastheyoffernotjustsignificantopportunitiestoraiseawarenessofschoolpupilsbutalsothewidercommunity.InadditionschemessuchasEco-schoolsenablesrenewableenergytobeconsideredaspartofawiderdrivetotackleenergy,carbonemissionsandclimatechangeandprovidetheopportunitytobuildrenewableenergyintothecurriculum.
Progress to date
• The8sustainableenergyinformationsheets,originallyproducedbytheDorsetEnergyGroupin2006,havebeenrevisedtoincludedetailsofthenewFeed-inTariffswhichsupportdomesticandcommunityscalerenewableelectricityinstallationsfromApril2010.SeveralthousandcopiesofthesepopularleafletshavebeingprintedforfreedistributionthroughpartnersandcommunitygroupandareavailabletodownloadfromDorsetCountyCouncil’swebsite.
• DemonstrationschemeswithinschoolsinDorsethavehelpedtoraisegeneralawarenessandprovideasignificantopportunitytobuildrenewableenergyintothecurriculum.InDorsetthisapproachissupportedbyaneco-schoolsandacarbonmanagementprogrammeforschools.
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• AnumberofsourcesofindependentadviceandsupportareavailableforbusinessandcommunitysectorsonrenewableenergyandenergyefficiencytheseincludetheImproveYourResourceEfficiency(IYRE)businessadvice,DorsetEnergyAdviceCentre(DEAC)andtheEnergySavingTrust(EST).
• AnumberofconferenceshavebeenheldtoraiseawarenessofrenewableenergyincludingaconferenceheldatKingstonMaurwardCollegein2007.
• ThefirstNewsletterwasdevelopedinJuly2011toupdateonprogressandraiseawarenessofschemesandopportunitiesinthearea.
• DevelopmentofinternetandwebbasedresourcestoincludeaDorsetcommunityenergywebresource(outlinedunderpriorityarea1:community).
Current Issues and Opportunities Thereisaneedforacoordinatedapproachtocommunicatingrenewableenergyissuesandopportunities.Thedevelopmentofacommunications’planfortheareawouldensurethatconsistentandeffectivemessagesaredisseminated,reachingawiderrangeofstakeholders,sharinglearningandpromotinggoodpractice.Atpresent,thelackofsignpostingtoasingleorganisationforspecialistrenewablesadvicemeansthatthepublicdonotknowwheretogoforinformationorwhototrust.Asharedandjointlyagreedcommunicationsstrategyonrenewableswillstrengthenthepublicmessageandimproveunderstandingoftheoptionslocally,thisneedstobecloselytiedtocurrentlyavailableandfuturesourcesofrenewableenergyadvicesuchasthatprovidedbytheEnergySavingTrust.
Sharinginformation,poolingresourcesandimprovingcrossboundaryworkingwillalsohelpimprovecosteffectivenessand
efficiency,removingduplicationofeffort,sothatorganisationsarenotreinventingthewheel.
Informationprovidedneedstoberegularlyupdated.Theuseofexistingcommunicationchannels,suchaswebsites,newslettersandcounciltaxmailouts,shouldbeexploredtoinformthepublicandbusinessesaboutrenewableenergy.Theuseofexistingmaterialssuchas‘renewableenergyinformationleaflets’orthe‘UnpackingRenewableEnergyTechnologiesforDorset’paperaccompanyingthisstrategyshouldbemaximised.
Existinglocalcommunityandbusinessnetworkscouldbeusedtopromoterenewableenergyopportunities,forexamplethroughguestspeakersandtechnicalpresentations.Atpresent,thereislittletrainingorconsistentinformationavailabletoinformparishcouncilsaboutrenewableenergy.
Thereareopportunitiestoworkwiththeprivatesector,includingrenewableenergycompanies,todeliverupdatesandevents,includingmarketplacestyleevents.Inaddition,lifelonglearningroutesandlinkstocollegesandtrainingproviderscouldbeexplored.
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Strategic actions – Priority Area 6:6.1 Todevelopandimplementa
communicationsplan,toensurewiderengagementwithpublic,businessandcommunitypromotebestpracticeandprovideadviceandinformation.
6.2 Toworkmorecloselywithpartnersandlocaleducationalestablishmentstodevelopanddelivertheappropriateeducationandtrainingtomeetlocalneedsforrenewableenergydevelopment,forexample,localrenewableenergycompaniescouldhosttechnologydemonstrationeventsandpresentations.
6.3 Toensurethatrenewableenergycontinuestobeanintegralpartoftheeco-schoolsprogrammeandtodevelopexemplardemonstrationprojectswithinschools.
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Endorsement and action planning FollowingtheendorsementoftheStrategybystakeholderstheDorsetEnergyPartnershipwillberesponsibleforitsdelivery.Initiallythiswillinvolvetranslatingeachofthestrategicactionsidentifiedineachpriorityareaintoannualactionplans,bytheDorsetEnergyPartnershipworkinggroupsandotherpartners.
Workinggroupswillberequiredtodevelopplansensuringexistingactionsfromthe2005strategythatarestillrelevantarerolledforwardandengagingothercommunity,businessandpublicsectorpartnersasappropriate.Planswillbeupdatedannually.
Eachworkinggroupwillberesponsibleforleadingonactionswithineachpriorityarea,andwillbesupportedbytheRenewableEnergyDevelopmentOfficer,asfollows:
AspartofthisprocesstheDorsetEnergyPartnershipwillseektoengagewithindividuals,communitiesandorganisationswhocaninfluenceandassistinthedeliveryoftheStrategy.
GovernanceTheDorsetEnergyPartnershipwillberesponsibleforcoordinatingandmonitoringdeliveryofboththeRenewableEnergyStrategyandEnergyEfficiencyStrategy.ThepartnershipiscurrentlymadeupofanExecutive,includingrepresentativesfromallthelocalauthoritiesintheareaaswellasotherdeliveryorganisations,andanumberofworkinggroupsinvolvingwiderstakeholdersfrompublic,privateandcommunitysectors.
7.Deliveringthestrategy–nextsteps
Priority Area Groups leading
Priority area 1: Supporting the development of community renewable energy
CommunitySustainableEnergyWorkingGroup
Priority area 2: Maximising local economic benefits
DorsetEnergyPartnershipExecutive
Priority area 3: Creating a supportive planning system
SustainableEnergyPlanningWorkingGroup
Priority area 4: Developing locally appropriate technologies
RenewableEnergyDevelopmentOfficerandtheBio-EnergyWorkingGroup
Priority area 5: Delivering leadership and partnership
PublicSectorSustainableEnergyWorkingGroupandLocalAuthoritypartners
Priority area 6: Improving communications and learning
DorsetEnergyPartnershipExecutiveandthePublicSectorSustainableEnergyWorkingGroup
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Asnotedwithinpriorityarea5,thegovernanceoftheExecutivegroupanditsmembershiphasbeenreviewedtoensureitcontinuestobefitforpurpose.
Measuring and monitoring ProgressagainsttheStrategywillbemonitoredandreportedonaregularbasis.Thiswillinclude:
• RegularmonitoringofworkinggroupactionprogrammesandreportingtotheExecutivegroup
• Annualprogressreportingtointernalandexternalaudiences–detailingongoingactions,successfulprojectsandprogressoftheworkinggroups
• AnnualmonitoringofenergygenerationandinstalledcapacitywithineachlocalauthorityareathroughtheRegenSWannualsurveys.
• Annualmonitoringofeconomicbenefitofrenewableenergyintheareabymeasuringinvestmentinlocalrenewableenergyprojects,incomeretainedinthelocaleconomythroughrenewableenergysupplyandaccumulativenewjobcreation.
ItisenvisagedthattheStrategywillbereviewedand,ifrequired,updatedafterfiveyears.
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Summary of strategy development process ProductionofthisStrategyhasbeenfundedbytheDepartmentforCommunitiesandLocalGovernment(CLG),whichin2010selectedBournemouth,DorsetandPooleasoneofonly9localauthorityareasintheUKtopilotLocalCarbonFrameworks,inrecognitionoftheirongoingachievementsandstrongpartnershipworkintheareaofsustainableenergy.
RegenSW,anindependent,notforprofitorganisation,specialisinginsustainableenergy,wereawardedthecontracttoreviewandupdatetheRenewableEnergyStrategy(2005).
TheStrategyupdatestartedinSeptember2010andwasundertakenintwophases.Phase1:Evidencegatheringandresearch,Phase2:Consultationandstrategydevelopment.Thesestagesareoutlinedbelow.
Phase 1: Evidence gathering and research
Thisincluded:
• areviewofthepolicycontextaffectingrenewableenergy,
• apublicopinionsurvey,byover500localresidents,coveringattitudestorenewableenergy,
• ananalysisofprogressagainsttheoriginal2005Strategy,
• anassessmentofthepotentialrenewableenergyresourcesavailablelocallyanddevelopmentofdifferent
possiblescenariosforrenewableenergygenerationto2020.
Thisfirststagewassummarisedbyan‘IssuesPaper’,producedinMarch2011,whichoutlinedtheevidenceandresearchgathered,asummaryofaninitialanalysisofstrengths,weaknesses,opportunitiesandthreats(aSWOTanalysis)andsetoutanumberofpriorityareasforaction.
Itwassupportedbyatechnicalappendix,givingfurtherdetailsontherenewableenergyresourcesavailableinBournemouth,DorsetandPoole.
Stage 2: Consultation and strategy developmentAstakeholderconsultationeventwasheldinDorchesterinMarch2011togaugeviewsonthelevelofambitionforrenewableenergywithinDorsetandtotestandrefinedthepotentialpriorityareasforaction.
AconsultationdraftStrategywasproducedinMay2011.Thiswasthensubjecttoafourmonthpublicconsultationperiod,lastinguntilearlyOctober2011.
Theconsultationattractedcommentsfromnearly200respondents.AllcommentsreceivedhavebeenconsideredandanumberofamendmentshavebeenmadeasaresultwithinthisfinalversionoftheStrategy.AsummaryofresponsesisavailableonDorsetforyou.
Appendix1
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Phase 1:Reviewandanalysisincluding:
• Reviewofpolicycontextanditsimplications
• Spatialanalysisofrenewableenergyresources
• Publicopinionsurveyofover500peopleusingcitizens’panel
• Reviewofprogressagainstoriginalstrategy
Output:Issuespaperthatsummarisesthefindingsofthereviewandanalysisprocess,includingtheresourcesavailable,keyopportunities,issuesandbarriers
Phase 2:ConsultationeventinMarch2011
Draftstrategy(May2011)
Fourmonthpublicconsultation(June2011toOctober2011)Nearly200responses
Finalstrategydevelopedbasedonallinputreceived
Fig1: Outline of strategy development process
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Endorsements with Caveats
Christchurch Borough CouncilEndorsetheStrategynotingthatnothingintheStrategyaffectsthecouncil’sposition,yettobedetermined,regardingtheproposedNavitusBayWindfarm.
Dorset AONB TeamTheteamastechnicaladvisorstotheAONBPartnershipBoard,arehappywiththeintentionandcontentofthisstrategy.TheBoardareunabletoendorseitasabodyasmanyoftheirconstituentmembersareneedingtorunthestrategythroughtheirowninternalprocesses.TheDorsetAONBTeamishappythatthisstrategydoesnotencourageexcessiveimpactonthearea’snaturalbeauty,butratherpromotesappropriaterenewableenergygeneration;webelievethattheprotectedlandscapecancontributewelltothetargetsbyapplyingtherightschemeattherightscaleintherightplace.
East Dorset District CouncilItisexpectedthatwhilstthestrategyprovidesatechnicalassessmentofDorset’srenewableenergyresourcepotential,furtherworkwillberequiredtorefinethistoensureanaccuratepictureoftechnologiesmostappropriatetoeachlocalauthorityareaandthosewiththeleastenvironmentalimpacts.Itisalsonotedthatthisfurtherworkcouldimpactonthedeliveryoftheaspirationaltargetforrenewableenergy.
EncouragementisgiventoprogressingthestrongerlandscapeassessmentworkreferredtointheStrategy.
East Dorset FoE Endorsethestrategyasastatementoflocalcommitmenttotheidealsoffosteringgreaterenergyself-sufficiencybuturgetheresponsibleauthoritiestocontinuouslyreviewandupdatethisstrategyandtoseektoproduceamoreambitiousandcoherentpolicywithinthenexttwoyears.
Environmental Theme Action Group, East Dorset Community PartnershipEndorsethestrategysubjecttoproposalsensuringnoadverseimpactonspeciesofnatureconservationinterest.North Dorset District Council ToadopttheBournemouth,DorsetandPooleRenewableStrategyto2020,exceptthosepartswhichseektoidentify/setastrategytarget,namely:
(a)anaspirationaltargetofatleast15%ofBournemouth,DorsetandPoole’senergyneedstobemetfromallrenewablesourcesby2020;and(b)asecondarytargetofaminimumof7.5%ofDorset’senergyneedstobemetfromlocalrenewableenergyresources;subjectto:
(i) officersseekingtoagreetoundertakejointwork,wherenecessary,withotherCouncilstoclearlyestablishtheneed,opportunitiesandrealisticscopefordeliveryofrenewableenergyopportunitiesinBournemouth,DorsetandPooleinthelightofenvironmentalconstraints;and
Appendix2
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(ii) inanyevent,furtherworkbeingundertakentomoreclearlyestablishtheneed,opportunitiesandrealisticscopefordeliveryofrenewableenergyopportunitiesinNorthDorset;and
(iii)thereviewoftheBournemouth,DorsetandPooleRenewableEnergyStrategy,followingthecompletionofsuchfurtherstudies,includingthesuitability/desirabilityofincorporatingtargets.
Allsuchworktoincludefurtherlandscapesensitivityanalysisandasubsequentresourceassessment.SubjectalsotoamendmentstothePrioritiesasfollows:
Priority 1:Supportingthedevelopmentofcommunityrenewableenergy.
Priority 2:Maximisingthelocaleconomicbenefitsofrenewableenergygenerationsubjecttoidentifiableconstraintsbeingsatisfactorilyaddressed.
Priority 3:Creatingamoresupportiveplanningsystemforrenewableenergy.
Priority 4:Developinglocallyappropriatetechnologies.
Priority 5:Deliveringleadershipandpartnershipsthatsupportrenewableenergy.
Priority 6: Improvingrenewableenergycommunicationsandlearning.