Released July 17, 2024 | GALWAY, IRELAND
en
Written by Martin Lynch, European News Editor for Industrial Info (Galway, Ireland)--The new Labour Government in the U.K. has lifted a nine-year ban on onshore windfarm development having swept to power last week in the country's elections.
The reversal was announced just days into the Labour Party ousting the Conservative Party, which had been in power for 14 years. The ban was implemented in 2015, but new Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed that the "absurd" ban was being scrapped and that the new government may also look into classing large onshore projects as nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs). This would fast-track the planning process as the government could greenlight projects without the permission of local councils. In its draft National Planning Policy Framework, it stated: "Delivering our clean power mission will help boost Britain's energy independence, save money on energy bills, support high-skilled jobs and tackle the climate crisis. We are therefore committed to doubling onshore wind energy by 2030. That means immediately removing the de facto ban on onshore wind in England, in place since 2015. We are revising planning policy to place onshore wind on the same footing as other energy developments in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)."
The news was widely welcomed by energy experts and environmental groups. "Lifting the onshore wind ban in England was long overdue and we're delighted that Labour has made this one of its first priorities in office," said Dan McGrail, chief executive of industry group RenewableUK. "Public support for onshore wind remains sky-high throughout the U.K. at 78% according to the latest official polling. Modern turbines are substantially more efficient and powerful than the turbines built in previous decades, so doubling the U.K.'s onshore wind capacity by 2030 won't mean doubling the number of turbines in the UK. We can generate more power from fewer new turbines, and we can replace older turbines with far more powerful ones, making the most of our superb natural wind resources. Our research shows that delivering 30 gigawatts (GW) of onshore wind by the end of the decade would boost the economy by £45 billion ($58 billion) and create 27,000 jobs".
However, the oil and gas sector has expressed concern following Labour's election win as the party has pledged to a further windfall tax on homegrown oil and gas production and an end to new oil and gas licenses in U.K. waters. Oil and gas industry group Offshore Energies UK (OEUK) said it is committed to working with the new government on the next steps to "a homegrown energy transition, to safeguard energy security, jobs and skills" but called for restraint in its approach to shifting away from oil and gas exploration and related industries.
David Whitehouse, chief executive of OEUK, said: "The people in our sector and investors remain deeply concerned over Labour proposals to impose a further windfall tax and end new licenses. These policies, if poorly managed, and without industry input will threaten jobs and undermine the decarbonization of the UK economy. The details matter." He added: "Homegrown offshore energy is a jewel in the U.K.'s industrial crown that the government must treasure. U.K. offshore energy companies could invest £200 billion ($256 billion) in homegrown energy production this decade alone in carbon storage, hydrogen, and wind opportunities alongside the homegrown oil and gas we all need." OEUK pointed out that more than 200,000 jobs across the country are currently supported by domestic oil and gas production, wind, hydrogen, and carbon capture technologies.
Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of industrial market intelligence. Since 1983, IIR has provided comprehensive research, news and analysis on the industrial process, manufacturing and energy related industries. IIR's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) helps companies identify and pursue trends across multiple markets with access to real, qualified and validated plant and project opportunities. Across the world, IIR is tracking over 200,000 current and future projects worth $17.8 Trillion (USD).
The reversal was announced just days into the Labour Party ousting the Conservative Party, which had been in power for 14 years. The ban was implemented in 2015, but new Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed that the "absurd" ban was being scrapped and that the new government may also look into classing large onshore projects as nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs). This would fast-track the planning process as the government could greenlight projects without the permission of local councils. In its draft National Planning Policy Framework, it stated: "Delivering our clean power mission will help boost Britain's energy independence, save money on energy bills, support high-skilled jobs and tackle the climate crisis. We are therefore committed to doubling onshore wind energy by 2030. That means immediately removing the de facto ban on onshore wind in England, in place since 2015. We are revising planning policy to place onshore wind on the same footing as other energy developments in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)."
The news was widely welcomed by energy experts and environmental groups. "Lifting the onshore wind ban in England was long overdue and we're delighted that Labour has made this one of its first priorities in office," said Dan McGrail, chief executive of industry group RenewableUK. "Public support for onshore wind remains sky-high throughout the U.K. at 78% according to the latest official polling. Modern turbines are substantially more efficient and powerful than the turbines built in previous decades, so doubling the U.K.'s onshore wind capacity by 2030 won't mean doubling the number of turbines in the UK. We can generate more power from fewer new turbines, and we can replace older turbines with far more powerful ones, making the most of our superb natural wind resources. Our research shows that delivering 30 gigawatts (GW) of onshore wind by the end of the decade would boost the economy by £45 billion ($58 billion) and create 27,000 jobs".
However, the oil and gas sector has expressed concern following Labour's election win as the party has pledged to a further windfall tax on homegrown oil and gas production and an end to new oil and gas licenses in U.K. waters. Oil and gas industry group Offshore Energies UK (OEUK) said it is committed to working with the new government on the next steps to "a homegrown energy transition, to safeguard energy security, jobs and skills" but called for restraint in its approach to shifting away from oil and gas exploration and related industries.
David Whitehouse, chief executive of OEUK, said: "The people in our sector and investors remain deeply concerned over Labour proposals to impose a further windfall tax and end new licenses. These policies, if poorly managed, and without industry input will threaten jobs and undermine the decarbonization of the UK economy. The details matter." He added: "Homegrown offshore energy is a jewel in the U.K.'s industrial crown that the government must treasure. U.K. offshore energy companies could invest £200 billion ($256 billion) in homegrown energy production this decade alone in carbon storage, hydrogen, and wind opportunities alongside the homegrown oil and gas we all need." OEUK pointed out that more than 200,000 jobs across the country are currently supported by domestic oil and gas production, wind, hydrogen, and carbon capture technologies.
Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of industrial market intelligence. Since 1983, IIR has provided comprehensive research, news and analysis on the industrial process, manufacturing and energy related industries. IIR's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) helps companies identify and pursue trends across multiple markets with access to real, qualified and validated plant and project opportunities. Across the world, IIR is tracking over 200,000 current and future projects worth $17.8 Trillion (USD).
