SSE Renewables has called for planning policy changes to drive Northern Ireland’s renewable energy targets.
The group submitted its response to the Department of Infrastructure (DfI) as part of a public consultation on the strategic planning policy for renewable energy.
In its response, the company welcomed the DfI’s consultation, but stressed the planning policy changes which are required if Northern Ireland is to meet the renewable energy targets set in the Northern Ireland Climate Act and passed by the Assembly last year.
The SSE policy submission made a number of key points including saying that decarbonising the electricity system will help drive the decarbonisation of the economy at large.
It also noted that there is an inherent need for cross-departmental working, particularly between the Department for Economy and the Department for Infrastructure, to coordinate and ensure policy alignment.
In addition, it called for stronger weight afforded to the benefits of renewable energy when making planning decisions and for planning policy to be in step with existing and emerging turbine technology advancements.
SSE’s submission also noted that it is vital that developers be able to propose sites for sustainable development and these be assessed on a case-by-case basis, including within Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs).
SSE’s Ireland Chairman Mark Ennis outlined how the group can help deliver on the action needed to drive more ambitious renewable energy targets for the region in the future, and the steps that the Department for Infrastructure should include as part of the much-needed reform.
“While we welcome the planning review and the Planning Improvement Programme, we are concerned that the proposed changes to planning policy contained in the Department’s consultation are not sufficient to ensure that renewable targets are met as required under Northern Ireland’s Climate Act, and in some cases the changes are indeed regressive.
“Although we welcome aspects of the revised policy, particularly in relation to co-location, we are very concerned that some parts of the proposals will hamper Northern Ireland’s ability to bring forward new renewables projects and repower existing assets. This could be particularly damaging to our ability to continue to develop onshore wind in the region, which has made such an enormous contribution to renewable electricity targets to date, as well as contributing to energy security and wider economy in the face of an energy crisis.
“While Northern Ireland has great potential for offshore wind development, in reality it is highly likely to be post-2030 before these developments are built at scale and delivering for climate targets. Overall, there is huge potential to harness energy from renewable sources in Northern Ireland but as a starting point planning policy must provide certainty for developers, Local Authorities, and communities.”