Renewable Energy

What Does NPF4 Mean for Renewable Energy?

A rapid increase in electricity generation from renewable sources is recognised as essential for Scotland to meet its net zero emissions targets by 2045. NPF4 is supportive in principle of all renewable energy development including generation, storage, low-carbon and zero emission technologies.

Policy 11 (Energy) states that development proposals for renewable energy projects will be supported where they maximise net economic impact, including local and community socio-economic benefits such as employment, and associated business and supply chain opportunities. Iceni can provide socio-economic benefit statements which assess such benefits.

One point to note on the siting of renewable energy developments is that Policy 11 states wind farms in National Parks and National Scenic Areas will not be supported.

There is a requirement for the design of proposed developments to demonstrate how any impacts on communities and individual dwellings, significant landscape and visual impacts, public access impacts, aviation, traffic, biodiversity, woodland and water impacts are addressed. In assessing proposals, significant weight will be placed on the contribution of the proposal to renewable energy generation targets and on greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets.

NPF4 policies relating to soils, natural places, forestry and nature crises will also be key considerations for renewable energy proposals with these policies seeking to protect and enhance biodiversity, and protect valued soils and woodland. The generation of energy from renewable sources is one of the few proposals which may be supported on peatland and carbon rich soils, provided that the proposal optimises the contribution of the area to greenhouse gas emissions reductions targets.

Key Considerations for Future Development

ƒ Under Policy 11, considerations including community impacts, LVIA, aviation and transport impacts are to be taken into account in assessing all renewable energy proposals.

ƒ National Parks and National Scenic Areas remain no-go areas for wind farms.

ƒ Significant weight will be placed on the contribution of renewable energy proposals to renewable energy generation targets and on greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets.

ƒ Renewable energy proposals will be supported where they maximise net economic impact.