The Government has published its finalised energy National Policy Statements (NPSs) to be debated in Parliament.
Six energy NPS have been submitted for parliamentary approval following the public consultation earlier this year which received over two and a half thousand responses.
The NPSs set out national policy on a number of key energy policy areas. Five of these cover specific technologies: fossil fuels; renewables; gas supply and gas and oil pipelines; electricity networks; and nuclear. These five sit below the main energy NPS, and together they play an important role in the new planning system for major infrastructure.
The policy statements provide a framework for decision making and set out the need for a surge of investment in new energy sources, including 33 GW of new renewable energy capacity and includes details of the eight sites across the country deemed suitable for new nuclear power stations by 2025.
Charles Hendry, energy minister said: 'The Coalition Government is determined to make the UK a truly attractive market for investors, to give us secure, affordable, low-carbon energy. These National Policy Statements are an important milestone.'
'Around a quarter of the UK's generating capacity is due to close by the end of this decade. We need to replace this with secure, low carbon, affordable energy. This will require over £100 billion worth of investment in electricity generation alone. This means twice as much investment in energy infrastructure in this decade as was achieved in the last decade.
'Industry needs as much certainty as possible to make such big investments. These plans set out our energy need to help guide the planning process, so that if acceptable proposals come forward in appropriate places, they will not face unnecessary hold-ups. The Coalition Government is determined to make the UK a truly attractive market for investors, to give us secure, affordable, low-carbon energy. These National Policy Statements are an important milestone.'
Greg Clark, decentralisation minister said: 'Major infrastructure projects provide a real growth opportunity for this country, will bring billions of pounds of investment and create the bedrock businesses need to thrive in the 21st century.
'These policy statements are an important step in ensuring planning decisions can be made without delay and will boost the reforms the Government is making to the planning system to strip away bureaucracy, give more powers to communities and ensure faster decisions are taken.'
The Government's final proposed Energy NPSs will be debated in Parliament at a date to be confirmed.
Alongside the NPSs, the Department of Energy and Climate Change has also published independent research into how noise from wind turbines is assessed in the planning process. In response to the findings, DECC is in discussions with the Institute of Acoustics to establish a working group to develop best practice guidance for planners, developers and local communities.
• To view the the Parliamentary Statement click
here.
