Planning reforms "first step" say Bute Energy

Bute Energy has welcomed today’s announcement (13 November) that Welsh Government will bring forward a series of planning reforms aimed at speeding up the process for new renewable energy projects.

Welsh Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning Rebecca Evans has today announced new proposals aimed at improving the planning system in Wales.

Speaking to representatives from across the renewable energy sector at a packed Future Energy Wales conference at ICC Wales, the Cabinet Secretary outlined plans to:

• Allow Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW) to take decisions on renewable energy projects up to 50MW, reducing the end-to-end decision time by at least 12 weeks
• Improve the capacity and resilience of planning services by starting to address the shortage of planners at both local and national levels
• Enhance Government planning resource to ensure that Developments of National Significance (DNS) applications can be considered quicker

Commenting, Managing Director at Bute Energy Stuart George said:

“We share the Welsh Government’s ambition for a more sustainable future for Wales, powered by green growth.  The commitment shown by the First Minister during her speech to Future Energy Wales is very welcome, and we look forward to working together to power a cleaner, greener future for Wales.

“We now know that £47bn could be invested in Wales through renewable energy projects by 2035. This will help create jobs, investment, and opportunities right across Wales.

“For communities to really see benefits of that potential investment the planning system needs to be properly resourced and provide clarity and certainty for communities and developers.

“Today’s announcement from the Welsh Government’s on their first proposals for planning reform is welcome and we look forward to learning more in the coming months.”

At Bute Energy, we recently received approval from Welsh Government for it first ever onshore wind energy park.  Located on the border of Caerphilly County and Rhondda Cynon Taf, the Twyn Hywel Energy Park will consist of 14 wind turbines, generating 92.4MW of clean, renewable energy—enough to power the equivalent of 81,000 homes every year. The project is part of our commitment to reducing reliance on fossil fuels and cutting carbon emissions in Wales.

Twyn Hywel Energy Park is one of several wind energy projects being developed across Wales by us. Our goal is to deliver over 2 gigawatts of green energy, enough to power 2.25 million homes, through an overall investment of around £3 billion. These energy parks will help Wales meet its renewable energy targets and contribute to the fight against climate change.

We have several other projects currently in the planning system – all of which will come with a substantial Community Benefit Fund that will offer up to £800m to the local communities nearest to our parks.  The Fund will be worth more than £30 million over the lifespan of the Twyn Hywel Energy Park.