National Grid today (Tuesday 27 November) welcomed publication of the Government’s Planning Bill as “essential” to the security of the UK’s future energy supplies and to the move towards a low-carbon economy.
Nick Winser, Executive Director for Transmission, said there is “no alternative” to planning reform if the UK is to plan for the future and fight climate change.
Welcoming the Planning Bill, he said: “The way the planning system currently works is one of the biggest barriers to keeping a secure energy supply and combating climate change. It’s vital to our way of life that new infrastructure is not just built, but built in a timely fashion.
“There is simply no alternative to reforming the planning system, but we must protect the rights of local communities to have a say on developments that affect them.
“We at National Grid are committed to playing our part by ensuring we set the standard for the rest of the industry on effective community consultation.”
National Grid believes that there are enormous challenges for the companies providing energy infrastructure in the UK over the next twenty years. New infrastructure is needed as:
- renewable generation grows - both large scale renewable projects and microgeneration
- old power stations close and new ones are built to take their place – including a possible new generation of nuclear power stations
- new gas importation and storage terminals are built as North Sea supplies continue to deplete.
Energy network companies, especially National Grid, will need to invest in new infrastructure to connect these developments and ensure energy can be moved to where it is needed. National Grid expects to be investing around a further £10bn in the UK over the next five years.
In Britain, National Grid currently has signed contracts with the generating companies to connect 49,000 Megawatts (MW) of new generation to the transmission system in the coming years, over half (18,000 MW) for renewable energy projects. However 70% of generators with connection agreements up to 2011 do not yet have consent.
National Grid supports the Government’s proposals for enhanced community consultation, including making consultation before a planning application compulsory. This will ensure people are involved earlier and can contribute more effectively to the process. The company is looking to set best practice in this area and already has a good track record of using a range of methods to help people better understand our proposals and solicit their views.
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For further information:
Stewart Larque
01926 655274
stewart.larque@uk.ngrid.com
Gemma Stokes
01926 655273
gemma.stokes@uk.ngrid.com