Parliament approves NPSs for major energy projects

The energy NPSs for England and Wales approved yesterday include five dealing in specific forms of energy production, including renewable energy infrastructure, nuclear power generation, fossil fuel electricity generating infrastructure, gas supply infrastructure and gas and oil pipelines, electricity networks infrastructure, and one overarching energy NPS that covers all energy production.

With the approval of these pieces of legislation, planning decisions made by the Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC), and later on its successor, will be based tightly within the framework of the NPSs, resulting in a system that acts quickly, predictably and transparently, Government said today.

"Far too often the planning system has resulted in delay and indecision over major energy projects and things simply not getting built," Charles Hendry, Minister for Energy, said. "We are removing uncertainty to give industry the confidence to invest in much needed new energy infrastructure in this country."

Measures of the legislation
As designated by The Planning Act 2008, larger projects will be subject to the scrutiny of the IPC – these will include electricity-generating stations creating more than two megawatts onshore and 100 megawatts offshore; electricity lines at or above 132kV; large gas reception and liquefied natural gas facilities and underground gas storage facilities; and cross-country gas and oil pipelines and Gas Transporter pipelines.

According to the overarching energy NPS, the IPS should carefully weight the environmental, social and economic benefits and adverse impacts or a potential development against one another in its decision making process.

Applicants bringing proposals forward will have to show that their projects are financially and technically viable, as well as environmentally sound – according to the overarching energy NPS, projects that are subject to the European Environmental Impact Assessment Directive must have an Environmental Statement (ES) describing the aspects of the environment that will be effected by the project.

The IPC decision making process will work to encourage 'good design,’ meaning plants that are designed to efficiently use natural resources and energy, as well as being aesthetically pleasing. Technologies such as good quality combined heat and power (CHP), carbon capture and storage (CCS) and infrastructure designs that will be adaptable to climate change will be encouraged through the Government’s regulation of projects as well. Factors such as how easily a plant can be connected to the grid, the degree of pollution and hazardous substances it gives off, its effect on the health and safety of the surrounding community and security considerations regarding it will be taken into consideration as well.

The measures of the NPSs have been subject to both public consultation and Parliamentary scrutiny for some time. The public consultation, which ended on January 24, was contributed to by 2,554 individuals and organisations, the Department of Energy and Climate Change confirmed today. Another consultation on the NPSs ran from November 2009 to February 2010.

Considering the £200 billion of investment in energy needed to support the low carbon economy, Government officials are optimistic that this clearer method of decision-making will help to encourage the massive amount of investment in energy infrastructure needed to support the low carbon economy.

"These statements are an important part of the package of reforms Government is making to the planning system and will ensure faster decisions can be made," Greg Clark, Decentralisation Minister, said. "Energy projects provide a real growth opportunity for this country and will bring billions of pounds of investment that will not only lead to jobs but essential new infrastructure."

New nuclear sites
In addition to laying out these guidelines, the Government has designated eight suitable sites for nuclear development in the Nuclear NPS: Bradwell, Essex; Hartlepool, Borough of Hartlepool; Heysham, Lancashire; Hinkley Point, Somerset; Oldbury, South Glos.; Sellafield, Cumbria; Sizewell, Suffolk; and Wylfa, Isle of Anglesey.