The Northern Ireland planning system is hindering progress towards the region's renewable energy targets and is in need of urgent reform, according to RenewableNI, the voice of Northern Ireland's renewable electricity industry. In a recent letter to a RenewableNI member, the Planning Appeals Commission (PAC) confirmed that they did not have the resources available to allocate a Commissioner to a review of a renewable electricity development. The PAC cited “significant resourcing pressures” and a “major conjoined public inquiry” as the reasons for their reduced operational capacity. The letter suggested that only a single inquiry can be held at a time.
“RenewableNI has previously had concerns about the PAC's ability to work at pace, and that was when they were operating at 100 per cent” said Steven Agnew, Director of RenewableNI. “This is a substantial impediment for all developers across Northern Ireland, including the renewables sector. RenewableNI members are willing to invest in the Northern Ireland economy. If we meet the 80 by 30 target, £5 billion GVA will be added, and 1,500 jobs recreated. Consumers will save money, and we will greatly reduce carbon emissions. Unfortunately, development is being stalled by a planning system that is unfit for purpose.”
“Without major changes, we have no chance of getting close to 80 percent this decade,” added Mr Agnew. “There is a climate emergency. Now we need to see an emergency-style response from the relevant departments. Business as usual is not an option.”
Tamasin Fraser, UK Director of ABO Wind, also warned that the reduced operational capacity of the PAC is causing significant delays to renewable energy projects that would contribute substantially to Northern Ireland's economy and the fight against climate change.
“It is also a red flag to potential investors,” said Ms Fraser. “When added to other issues we experience across planning and grid, as well as the lack of any support mechanism, Northern Ireland is at the very real risk of falling even further behind other countries in the delivery of new renewable energy projects. We have world-class wind resources in Northern Ireland which offer unique environmental and socio-economic opportunities. But they will be lost unless urgent action is taken to address key challenges including the current situation with the PAC.”
Despite already having the highest planning application fees of anywhere in the UK and ROI, the renewable electricity industry has accepted a fees increase. However, they insist that the increased fees should be value for money and the system should be resourced to meet the needs of users. Developers are facing a backlog at every stage of the planning system. Amongst RenewableNI's members, 85MW of renewable electricity, enough to power up to 85,000 homes, has been held up for more than three years and counting.
The situation in Northern Ireland reflects the need for national and regional governments worldwide to provide the necessary support for renewable energy development to meet climate targets. With clear goals, and with the right policies and regulatory frameworks in place, countries can accelerate the transition to renewable energy and help build a sustainable future.
