UK Government Considers Exempting Offshore Windfarms from New Nature Rules

The UK government is considering an exemption for offshore windfarms from new nature rules that aim to enhance biodiversity when large infrastructure projects are built or expanded. The proposed exemption is intended to reduce the cost of renewable energy, which has increased due to inflation, labor and materials costs, and grid upgrade requirements. The energy secretary, Ed Miliband, is trying to find ways to keep the cost of offshore wind projects down to avoid an increase in energy bills. New planning rules from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) require nationally significant infrastructure projects, including nuclear power plants, airports, and road schemes, to create 10% more nature than existed before the project started.

Key Takeaways:

• The UK government is considering an exemption for offshore windfarms from new nature rules that require 10% more biodiversity than existed before the project started.
• The exemption is intended to reduce the cost of renewable energy, which has increased due to inflation, labor and materials costs, and grid upgrade requirements.
• The energy secretary, Ed Miliband, is trying to find ways to keep the cost of offshore wind projects down to avoid an increase in energy bills.
• RenewableUK, a trade body, has expressed concerns that the new rules could add "disproportionate costs or legislative challenges" to renewable energy infrastructure developments.
• The exemption for offshore windfarms was added in a last-minute loophole, according to sources, and has been delayed the publication of new planning rules from Defra.
• Windfarms can harm seabirds and marine mammals in shallow waters and intertidal areas, such as the Berwick Bank windfarm in Scotland, which is predicted to kill 2,808 guillemots and 814 kittiwakes in its first year of operation.
• The plan to exclude offshore windfarms from BNG rules comes as the government is declining to ban destructive bottom-trawling in marine-protected areas.
• Industry data shows that environmental assessments are a tiny fraction of the cost of developing offshore windfarms.

Statistics:

• 2,808 guillemots predicted to be killed by the Berwick Bank windfarm in Scotland in its first year of operation.
• 814 kittiwakes predicted to be killed by the Berwick Bank windfarm in Scotland in its first year of operation.
• 65 puffins predicted to be killed by the Berwick Bank windfarm in Scotland in its first year of operation.
• Industry data shows environmental assessments are a tiny fraction of the cost of developing offshore windfarms.
• 10% more biodiversity required for nationally significant infrastructure projects under new planning rules from Defra.

Sources:

• The Guardian
• RenewableUK
• Scottish government
• Wildlife and Countryside Link
• Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)