Northern Ireland planning guidance could seriously restrict renewable potential

The BWEA, which has worked out Northern Ireland's renewables target from an all Ireland Grid Study in 2008, says Northern Ireland's potential for renewables will only be met if 90 per cent of all onshore wind planning applications are passed. However, this could be severely restricted if a draft planning guide – the Supplementary Planning Guidance – that is currently being considered for approval in June is agreed to by Northern Ireland government officials. The BWEA believes that the planning document could mean only 10 to 20 per cent of onshore wind planning applications will be passed – meaning that Northern Ireland will not be able to reach its potential to create renewable energy.

“BWEA is carrying out a discreet, persuasion exercise in the Northern Ireland corridors of power," said the BWEA's Charles Angin. "We are hopeful that we can persuade people that if they get their planning procedures wrong, then this will jeapordise Northern Ireland’s goals of tackling climate change and of securing its energy supply, as Northern Ireland is entirely dependent on imported fossil fuels, making it very exposed to increased prices.”

Currently, Northern Ireland has 300 MW of installed onshore renewables and the potential for approximately 100 MW of tidal capacity and 200 MW of offshore wind capacity. It is awaiting on 1000 MW of onshore planning applications, making a total of 1600 MW of current and potential renewable energy. The BWEA says 1600 MW is what is needed to reach the 42 per cent renewable target, which the Northern Ireland grid has the capacity for.