IWEA Annual Conference, Dublin, 27-28th March 2013 Delivering Local Renewable Energy Strategies

Transcription

1 IWEA Annual Conference, Dublin, 27-28th March 2013 Delivering Local Renewable Energy Strategies Kevin O Rourke

2 Overview A methodology for Local Authority Renewable Energy Strategies: WHY? The planning challenge Improving policy and market alignment WHAT? A structured methodology Some other resources NEXT STEPS

3 Renewable energy: roles of SEAI Provide the evidence base and strategic support to deployment of near market RE technologies to deliver on national targets Assist key players towards tackling market/ institutional barriers provision of guidelines, tools, (funding) Support a pipeline of RE technologies with medium to long term potential National source for energy statistics, modelling and forecasting Supporting energy research, development and demonstration including enterprise opportunities and leveraging international best practice Provide the evidence base to inform future strategies for RE growth post 2020

4 Examples of guidance, tools, studies, information

5 Status and Challenge

6 National Renewable Energy Policy Targets % RE = 10% of transport fuel 12% of heat supply 40% of electricity supply National Renewable Energy Action Plan (NREAP)

7 How are we doing? RES contribution in 2011 Shares 2011: RES-H 5.0% RES-T 3.6% RES-E 17.6% Overall 6.5% Wind 14.5% Source: SEAI - EPSSU

8 Key Statistics Peak Electricity Demand to Date: Installed Wind Nov 2012: Maximum Wind Output to Date: 5,090 MW 1,719 MW 1,506 MW Wind s Contribution to Electricity in 2012: 15.3%** Renewable Contribution to Electricity in 2012: 19.3%** Wind TWh 2012: 4.1TWh* * Preliminary Estimate ** Preliminary Estimate, Normalised 3 year moving average Sources: EirGrid & SEAI

9 Making wind projects happen key factors/ conditions Generation licence Support incentive Making RES-E projects happen Grid management Finance availability & cost Viable wind resource Grid connection Social acceptance Planning & environmental approval

10 The local planning challenge

11 Wind Energy by County Wind Farm Capacity(Jan 2013): All Island 2195 MW Republic of Ireland 1752 MW Installed, contracted and Gate 3 (precontracted) appear adequate to meet 2020 target BUT.. (Sources: Eirgrid and IWEA)

12 Progress to Date: Annual Installed Wind Capacity * MW *Preliminary figure Source: EirGrid

13 Wind Farm Capacity (MW) 2012: Completed and Contracted % of current capacity 71% of contracted capacity 200 MW

14 Wind Farm Capacity (MW): Completed, Contracted & Gate % of prospective Gate 3 capacity MW

15 Summary of Wind Farm Applications by County County* Applications Granted Meath 2 100% Roscommon 18 88% Cavan 25 83% Monaghan 18 82% Kerry % Leitrim 24 76% Sligo 12 75% Limerick 76 69% Tipperary NR 39 68% Cork % Laois 13 64% Donegal % Offaly 10 60% Wexford 44 53% Kildare 2 50% Galway 45 47% Clare 41 44% Kilkenny 22 44% Mayo 66 35% *partial list

16 An Bord Pleanála Case Log, Decisions on Wind Local Authority Inspector An Bord Pleanála Granted Conditional Scale Reduced Refused 28 (40%) 32 (45%) 31 (44%) Revised Conditional N/A 0 21

17 Reasons for An Bord Pleanála refusal (31 cases, 64 reasons)

18 Influence of CDP Zoning for Wind Farms: Sample counties - decisions pre and post CDPs Local Authority Period 2000 Development Plan Date of Development Plan Period Development Plan Cavan Co.Co. 22/26 (85%) November '08 No decisions. Cork Co.Co. 66/83 (79%) February '09 11/12 (92%) Donegal Co.Co. 56/71 (79%) August '06 27/33 (82%) Donegal Co.Co.* 68/89 (76%) December '08* 15/15 (100%) Galway Co.Co. 6/10 (60%) May '09 9/11 (82%) Leitrim Co.Co. 8/10 February '09 2/2 Mayo Co.Co. 10/34 (29%) May '08 9/12 (75%) * Wind Energy Strategy

19 Local authority renewable energy strategies

20 Local development planning

21 County Development Plans Wider Context

22 County Development Plans Update Schedule Issued in 2010 ( ): Dun Laoghaire and Rathdown County Council North Tipperary County Council South Dublin County Council Wicklow County Council Limerick City Council Issued in 2011 ( ): Sligo County Council Waterford County Council Dublin City Council Kildare County Council Limerick County Council Fingal County Council Clare County Council Issued in 2012 ( ): Laois County Council Donegal County Council Due for issue in 2013 ( ): Meath County Council Monaghan County Council Wexford County Council Due for issue in 2014 ( ): Mayo County Council Roscommon County Council Westmeath County Council Kilkenny County Council Cavan County Council Due for issue in 2015 ( ): Carlow County Council Louth County Council Offaly County Council South Tipperary County Council Cork County Council Cork City Council Galway County Council Galway City Council Leitrim County Council Longford County Council Kerry County Council

23 Resources and Tools

24 Resurveyed SEAI Irish Wind Atlas 20m, 75m & 100m Layers

25 Resurveyed SEAI Irish Wind Atlas 125m & 150m Layers

26 Towards Best Practice DECLG guidelines to local authorities on wind energy development EPA guidelines on the preparation of environmental impact assessments Mandatory for developments with more than 5 turbines or with a total electrical output greater than 5 MW Authorities can request an EIA from sub-threshold developments if deemed necessary in accordance with the 2001 Regulations. SEAI/ IWEA best practice guidelines for wind development 2008 SEAI survey on public attitudes to wind farm development Fáilte Ireland survey on tourists attitude to wind energy.

27 DECLG published in 2006 to ensure a consistency of approach throughout the country in the identification of suitable locations.and the treatment of planning applications for wind energy developments. The guidelines include: Advice for developers on best practice in the pre-application public consultation phase A step-by-step guide for planners on the evaluation of suitable areas within strategic development plans Sample photomontages of desirable and less desirable layouts Items to be assessed during the application process Aesthetic, environmental, technical and grid access Guidance on development in peatlands Guidance on the application of planning conditions Currently under review DECLG Wind Energy Development Guidelines

28 IWEA Best Practice Guidelines

29 Methodology and Template for Local Authority Renewable Energy Strategies (LARES)

30 LARES: Principles Encourage integrated, plan led approaches Facilitate consistency and rigour Encourage alignment of policy and market efforts Be recognised as impartial

31 Local Authority Renewable Energy Strategies (LARES) Need methodological guidance or a template Loc. Auth. Planners Steering Group established Draft Methodology prepared Step-by-step guide, a how to including: Policy overview and context Guide to renewable energy resources and technologies How to assess the resource and potential How to assess constraints such as land-use and designations Revised wind atlas will provide supporting tools

32 School of Planning, Dublin Institute of Technology Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government Commission for Energy Regulation Department of Arts, Heritage & the Gaeltacht - National Parks and Wildlife Service Irish Planning Institute City and County Managers Association EirGrid ESB Networks The Regional Planning Authorities Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland LARES Steering Group Appointed consultants: RPS

33 LARES Objectives Help align County Development Plans with national and EU obligations Facilitate consistent approach to RE by Local Authorities Encourage alignment with Regional Development Plans Ensure all available resources are considered Facilitate a consistent identification of key RE resources and development areas by local authorities Provide appropriate signals to RE project developers Facilitate planning and development of electricity infrastructure for RE projects Assist local authorities in providing transparent information to the public and prospective developers on future development of RE within their areas Potentially use as a vehicle to attract local development and investment Methodology Provide information and support to local authorities wishing to create a LARES Support local authorities in the development of specific policies and objectives in their Development Plans

34 Core Methodology Steps Define Objectives Primary Resource Appraisal Assess Planning and Environmental Factors Assess Infrastructural Factors Assess Enterprise Factors Renewable Energy Strategy

35 Structure of Methodology Document Section 1 Introduction, Background & Procedural Considerations SEA, Habitats Directive Assessment, Flood Risk Section 2 Overview of Renewable Energy Types Wind, Bioenergy, Hydropower, Solar, Ocean, Geothermal, CHP, Section 3 Four Step Methodology for the Preparation of a Renewable Energy Strategy Step by Step approach Section 4 Appendices Suggested structure, land use interactions, glossary, and reference documents rpsgroup.com/ireland

36 LARES Implementation Steps

37 Role of the LARES: Options At the discretion of each local authority Policies and objectives of the LARES could be incorporated into the CDP or LARES as a standalone strategy publication or Incorporation of the LARES entirely into the CDP Recommend that, as a minimum, policies and objectives from the development of the renewable energy strategy would be incorporated into the CDP. Public Consultation Recommended to occur in conjunction with the 4 Step LARES process LARES methodology document provides a list of potential stakeholders and suggested methods for Public Consultation

38 Rollout of LARES Publication Roadshow through 2013: with planning professional bodies and CCMA Call for proposals from local authorities to support exemplary implementation?

39 International Energy Agency Wind Implementing Agreement Example: Task 28 - Social Acceptance of Wind Energy Projects Winning hearts and minds International exchange of knowledge and experience related to societal acceptance of wind energy Publish a state-of-the-art report and online library of references and articles Establish best practice models and tools for stakeholders including planners and policy makers Establish strategies and mechanisms to improve communications, consultation and co-operation

40 Better Energy Communities 2013 Target potential Project Co-ordinators with capacity to deliver large projects e.g. the Local Authorities, Energy Agencies, Energy Suppliers, Leader Groups, Community groups, ESCOs. The call will allow for a mix of technologies and a blend of domestic and non domestic elements. The call is competitive first come / first served until all funds are committed. Workshops at the Energy Show 10 th April First submission (evaluation) milestone End April 2013 CONTACT: bec2013@seai.ie

41 Conclusion Ireland on a path to a RE future 2020 is a staging post A venture without precedent: Positive progress on many fronts Serious challenges remain Strong orchestration and integration needed Local planning is one such challenge The LARES methodology is aimed at supporting local authorities in establishing considered, consistent and clear strategies for renewable energy development SEAI a resource to inform and assist policy and market action

42 Thank you