The Welsh Government has confirmed that the Hyder Consultancy has been commissioned to carry out research into the regime for deciding renewable energy planning applications.
This research will form a key element of the devolved administration’s review of how it is dealing with green energy projects.
The exercise is covering the period dating back to 2005 when the Welsh Government introduced Technical Advice Note (TAN) 8.
Environment Minister John Griffiths stressed that this initiative was designed to improve the approval process for renewable energy schemes. The research is intended to uncover any factors that might be delaying consents for renewable energy projects.
This is in response to claims from some quarters that the current system has restricted the development of a number of renewable energy projects and that it is contributing to a climate of uncertainty.
The minister said: “As a Government we are committed to making sure that Wales is at the forefront of the transition to a low carbon economy and is taking full advantage of the associated economic and job opportunities.
“Planning and other consenting processes are important considerations in this so we need to fully explore whether these are delaying renewable energy projects unnecessarily and whether they are fit to support our green energy aspirations.”
Hyder’s research will be conducted over two phases. A report on the findings of the first phase is expected by the end of March this year with the findings of phase 2 expected by the middle of July.
Roger Milne
12 January 2012
