Energy National Policy Statements

Anne StuartDECC Energy Development Unit

22 October 2009

Background on Energy NPSs

What Energy NPSs contain

Background on Energy NPSs

What is a National Policy Statement?

NPSs provide clear long-term strategic information for nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs)

Nationally Significant Energy Infrastructure

• Electricity generating stations – • onshore above 50MW generating capacity• offshore above 100MW generating capacity

• Electrical lines above 132kW• Onshore underground gas storage• Liquid Natural Gas facilities (England only)• Gas reception facilities (England only)• Gas transporter pipelines (England only)• Other cross country pipelines

How we developed the energy NPSs

We developed NPSs through:

• Incorporating existing DECC consents policy and practice

• Dialogue with other Government departments

• Informal dialogue with stakeholders

• Incorporating recommendations of AoS

What Energy NPSs contain

Structure of Energy NPSs

Overarching energy NPS (EN-1)

Fossil fuels NPS (EN-2)

Renewables NPS (EN-3)

Gas supply / Pipelines

NPS (EN-4)

Electricity Networks

NPS (EN-5)

Nuclear NPS (EN-6)

Appraisal of Sustainability and Habitats Regulations Assessment on EN1 to EN5

Appraisal of Sustainability, Habitats Regulations Assessment and waste assessment for the nuclear NPS

EN-1 has 4 parts:

1. Introduction

2. Government policy and energy infrastructure development policy

3. Need for new energy infrastructure

4. Assessment principles and generic impacts

The Overarching Energy NPS

Overarching Energy NPS Part 1

Part 1 sets out:

• The role of NPSs in the planning system

• The scope of the NPS

• Geographical coverage

• Period of validity and review

• Summary conclusions of the AoS

Overarching Energy NPS Part 2

Part 2 sets out the Government’s energy and climate change strategy:

•Transition to a low carbon economy

•Power sector and carbon emissions

•Security of energy supplies

•Delivering Government’s wider objectives

Part 3 sets out:• That Government sets a strategic energy framework

within which developers bring forward specific proposals

• That peak demand likely to remain at around 60GW• The need to replace our current electricity generating

infrastructure• The need for new infrastructure (e.g. gas infrastructure

and electricity lines)• The importance of a diverse mix of generation and fuel

Overarching Energy NPS Part 3

Overarching Energy NPS Part 4

The beginning of Part 4 sets out:• General assessment principles• Environmental statement & Habitats Regulation requirements• Alternatives to the project (e.g. project scale, design)• Good design• Combined Heat and Power• Carbon Capture readiness and Carbon Capture and Storage• Climate Change Adaptation• Grid connections• Pollution Control and other environmental consenting regimes• Safety• Hazardous Substances• Health• Nuisance• National security

Overarching Energy NPS Part 4 – Impacts

The rest of Part 4 covers generic impacts:• Air Emissions• Biodiversity and Geological Conservation• Civil and Military Aviation and Defence Interests• Coastal Change• Dust, Odour, Artificial Light, Smoke, Steam and Insect Infestation• Flood Risk• Historic Environment• Landscape and Visual impacts• Land Use (including open space, green infrastructure & green belt)• Noise• Socio-economic impacts• Traffic and Transport Impacts• Waste Management• Water Quality and Resources

Overarching Energy NPS Part 4 – Impacts

Each impact section follows the same format:

• Background on the impact• What the IPC should expect from the applicant’s

assessment• The key issues in decision making• Mitigation

Technology-specific energy NPSs

Technology-specific NPSs:• Must be read with the overarching energy NPS• Provide information specific to the technology

• likely factors influencing site selection• technical considerations for the IPC

• Set out impacts that are specific to the infrastructure or require further clarification

• May cover more than one technology (e.g. renewables, oil and gas)

Technology-Specific Impacts

Amplification of generic impacts where necessary, e.g. • Noise from coal generation • Visual impacts from wind farms

Impacts unique to specific technologies, including • Shadow flicker from wind farms• Electromagnetic fields for electricity networks• Disposal of brine from salt cavern gas storage

Summary of Main NPS Challenges

• Capturing fast moving policy and technology• Providing direction on planning decisions without

dictating to the market• Codifying impacts guidance• Interaction with European legislation (Habitats

Regulations)• Consultation and Parliamentary scrutiny processes