bournemouth dorset and poole renewable energy strategy to 2020€¦ · guiding principles for all...

Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole Renewable Energy Strategy to 2020

January 2013

Final version


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


3

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.


4

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


5

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).


6

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.


7

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


8

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


9

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?


10

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


11

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.


12

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


13

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).


14

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.


15

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


16

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


17

• 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.


18

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


19

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

1,000

1,500

2,000

2,500

3,000

3,500

4,000

4,500

Nationalcontribution

Solar PV Hydro Heat pumps Solar waterheating

Biomass Onshore wind Landfill gas Combinedresources

GWh


20

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


21

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


22

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.


23

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


24

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


25

ThisStrategyaimstosettheagreeddirectionoftravelforrenewableenergyinthelocalareato2020.Itsetsoutthepriorityareaswhereeffortneedstobefocusedtohelpusmeetouraspirationsforrenewableenergytogetherwithanumberofstrategicactionswhichneedtotakenforwardwithineacharea.Theseremainhighleveltoenablepartnerstodevelopmoredetailedactionsaroundthemandtobeflexibleenoughtoallowasensiblereactiontoanynewopportunitiesthatariseorunexpectednational/internationalpolicychanges.

Priority areas for actionThesixpriorityareasforactionthathavebeenidentifiedare:


Priority 2:Maximisingthelocaleconomicbenefitsofrenewableenergygeneration.





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


26

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


27

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


28

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


29

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


30

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


31

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.


32

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.


33

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/


34

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


35

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.


36

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.


37

• 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.


38

Strategic actions – Priority Area 6:6.1 Todevelopandimplementa

communicationsplan,toensurewiderengagementwithpublic,businessandcommunitypromotebestpracticeandprovideadviceandinformation.

6.2 Toworkmorecloselywithpartnersandlocaleducationalestablishmentstodevelopanddelivertheappropriateeducationandtrainingtomeetlocalneedsforrenewableenergydevelopment,forexample,localrenewableenergycompaniescouldhosttechnologydemonstrationeventsandpresentations.

6.3 Toensurethatrenewableenergycontinuestobeanintegralpartoftheeco-schoolsprogrammeandtodevelopexemplardemonstrationprojectswithinschools.


39

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


40

Asnotedwithinpriorityarea5,thegovernanceoftheExecutivegroupanditsmembershiphasbeenreviewedtoensureitcontinuestobefitforpurpose.

Measuring and monitoring ProgressagainsttheStrategywillbemonitoredandreportedonaregularbasis.Thiswillinclude:

• RegularmonitoringofworkinggroupactionprogrammesandreportingtotheExecutivegroup

• Annualprogressreportingtointernalandexternalaudiences–detailingongoingactions,successfulprojectsandprogressoftheworkinggroups

• AnnualmonitoringofenergygenerationandinstalledcapacitywithineachlocalauthorityareathroughtheRegenSWannualsurveys.

• Annualmonitoringofeconomicbenefitofrenewableenergyintheareabymeasuringinvestmentinlocalrenewableenergyprojects,incomeretainedinthelocaleconomythroughrenewableenergysupplyandaccumulativenewjobcreation.

ItisenvisagedthattheStrategywillbereviewedand,ifrequired,updatedafterfiveyears.


41

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


42

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


43

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


44

(ii) inanyevent,furtherworkbeingundertakentomoreclearlyestablishtheneed,opportunitiesandrealisticscopefordeliveryofrenewableenergyopportunitiesinNorthDorset;and

(iii)thereviewoftheBournemouth,DorsetandPooleRenewableEnergyStrategy,followingthecompletionofsuchfurtherstudies,includingthesuitability/desirabilityofincorporatingtargets.

Allsuchworktoincludefurtherlandscapesensitivityanalysisandasubsequentresourceassessment.SubjectalsotoamendmentstothePrioritiesasfollows:


Priority 2:Maximisingthelocaleconomicbenefitsofrenewableenergygenerationsubjecttoidentifiableconstraintsbeingsatisfactorilyaddressed.





bournemouth dorset and poole renewable energy strategy to 2020€¦ · guiding principles for all...

Documents