On 22 November 2002 the energy minister Brian Wilson produced his report Future Offshore, which envisaged a massive expansion of offshore energy and seemed to acknowledge for once that maybe onshore windfarms had some disadvantages. This was the press release:
WILSON: "NEW STRATEGY IS BEST WAY FORWARD FOR OFFSHORE WIND FARMS"
A new strategy launched by the Government today will unlock the future for offshore wind.
Launching the 'Future Offshore' consultation document, Brian Wilson,
Minister for Energy, said: "This a major step forward in ensuring the orderly development of an
offshore wind industry in the UK. The potential contribution towards
our energy needs is enormous and this, in turn, will underpin a
substantial manufacturing industry. "With a domestic market in place, we will also be able to contribute
to developments around the world. The global market for offshore
renewables is predicted to be worth #8 billion by 2007, mainly in
Europe."
The new document proposes that:
- The immediate future of wind farm development should be focussed in three strategic zones which offer the best development
potential-the Greater Wash, the Solway Firth down to North Wales and the Thames Estuary. This will not preclude other proposals,
which should be notified as soon as possible.
- Strategic environment assessments (SEA's) of the three key areas will be made so that scale and location of development is
environmentally responsible. This will be done before Crown Estate invite bids for the next round of site leases (expected in April
2003) and also before the European directive requires all member states to do so (July 2004)
- New exploration licenses be given for sites beyond the twelve mile legal limit from the shore to enable work to go forward before a
new legal framework to be set up enabling development beyond this limit. This would be necessary, for instance, in the Outer Moray
Firth where a proposal is being drawn up for outside the territorial limit.
- A new bidding process for wind farms should be introduced which will make the most efficient use of the sea-bed.
Brian Wilson said:
"In theory, the three strategic areas could source enough electricity to power the whole of Britain, albeit intermittently. Realistically,
we need a balanced energy policy but there is no doubt about the scale of opportunity if our natural resources can be properly
harnessed.
"The most crucial part of this strategy is that it focuses on key areas to develop our wind potential. This will stimulate greater
competition which in turn means the most efficient use of the sea will be made. But more crucially, as wind farms will be closer
together, it means developers can share their resources and help bring down the cost of this abundant source of energy.
"By bringing forward strategic environmental assessments we're helping developers to get on with the job of harnessing this natural
resource while ensuring minimal damage is done to marine ecosystems and wildlife. The new exploration licenses will give developers the
chance to seek out new areas beyond the current legal 12 mile shoreline limit. This means exciting sites will be ready to exploit
once a new legal framework exits."
Mr Wilson added:
"The new framework will enable developers to think big. I expect much larger proposals to come forward than the 30 turbine (75 MW) projects
leased in the first round and my Department is already aware of plans for a 500 MW+ (150 turbine) wind farm in the outer Thames Estuary."
Lord Whitty, Minister for sustainable energy, said:
"DEFRA and the DTI are working closely together to make sure that any more local marine or fisheries impact linked to building offshore is
properly thought through and managed. Any fishermen's concerns must be taken into account at the planning stage and we must also factor
in marine conservation aims."
Nick Goodall, Chief Executive of the British Wind Energy Association
said:
"This consultation document proves that we are seeing the birth of a new industry. The UK now stands to harness an abundant resource as a
key part of its move to a low- carbon future. There's plenty of wind - we encourage companies in other energy sectors to join us, bring
their skills and secure the jobs of their employees by tapping this vast new global market."
BWEA Chairman and AMEC's wind energy spokesperson David Still said:
"We are delighted that progress is being made, with this consultation launch, in laying the foundations for an important part of our future
energy supply. We are keen to continue working with the DTI and The Crown Estate to ensure that the results of this consultation are
implemented quickly."
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds said:
"The RSPB supports the sustainable development of offshore wind as an effective way of mitigating climate change. We warmly welcome this
consultation and will now work with the DTI and others to ensure that Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) effectively identifies and
protects environmentally sensitive areas from inappropriate development."
Notes for Editors:
1. The new consultation document 'Future Offshore' can be found on
the website
www.dti.gov.uk/energy/leg_and_reg/consents/future_offshore
2. Renewables UK the Government body recently set up to secure
maximum benefits for British manufacturers from the rapidly-growing
worldwide green energy market, was launched in March 2002.
3. The Renewables Obligation is the Government's main plank in its
renewable energy policy - a 25-year obligation on licensed
electricity suppliers to secure a rising proportion of their sales
from eligible renewable sources. Our target is 10% renewables
electricity by 2010. The Renewables Obligation was launched on April
2002. Please see website
http://www.ofgem.gov.uk/newprojects/renew_index.htm
4. The Government's White Paper on Energy, which will be published in
the New Year, will consider whether a target should be set for the
contribution which renewable energy should make to electricity
supplies in 2020. The Government's immediate target is that 10% of
electricity should be generated renewably by 2010, subject to the
costs being acceptable. This is being achieved through an obligation
on all electricity suppliers to purchase renewable electricity, and
targeted support measures.
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