Comment

Planning for the green industrial revolution

Boris Johnson’s pledge of £160m to support the growth of the renewable energy industry, particularly offshore wind [1], alongside a commitment to power every home from renewable sources by 2030, is to be welcomed.

A clear and consistent message is also emerging from the devolved Governments regarding commitment to the renewable sector – the beginnings of a “green industrial revolution” to accelerate progress towards zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Northern Ireland’s Department of the Economy Minister has pledged a commitment to securing a 70% renewable target for 2030 and recognises the role of zero carbon fuels in the move towards decarbonisation [2].

In Wales, Natural Resource Wales taskforce has been established to accelerate the transition to a low carbon economy and promote a green recovery. Whilst in Scotland the Government has committed to a target of 50% renewable energy by 2030.

A commitment to offshore wind

The Prime Minister’s ambition for the UK to “become a world leader in wind energy” is welcomed. However, there is nothing new about the increased target of creating 40GW of offshore wind power capacity by 2030. This was, after all, identified in the Conservative Party Manifesto last year and a number of challenges lie ahead with respect to delivery, not least the availability of long term power purchase agreements which in turn will help projects attract the lowest cost of capital and deliver lower bills for consumers.

Of note is the suggestion of significant levels of funding to improve ports and to support the offshore industry in Scotland, Wales and the north of England; off shore wind provides the opportunity to support highly skilled jobs and investment in manufacturing across the UK [3].

Also significant is the recognition of the role which floating offshore wind farms could play, particularly in deeper water further out to sea where conditions are more challenging but the wind resource more consistent. A target of 1GW of energy generation by 2030 has been confirmed.

Indeed, proposals for floating off-shore wind projects in the UK are starting to emerge. We are currently providing strategic planning and consenting advice to BlueGem Wind (a JV between Simply Blue Energy and Total) in relation to its 96MW Erebus demonstration project off the Pembrokeshire coast. Erebus will be the first floating wind farm in the Celtic Sea and when complete in 2027 will be one of the largest floating wind farms in Europe.

Hydrogen from renewables

The UK wide commitment to support a significant increase in energy generation from renewable technologies has the potential to contribute to a “green industrial revolution” in a number of additional ways; particularly in respect of the de-carbonisation of fuel and gases used for transport, industrial processes and heating.

A recent paper prepared by Renewable UK (RUK) [4] highlights the scale of the opportunity for the production of hydrogen from renewable sources -“Green Hydrogen”- a zero carbon technology.

Whilst the replacement of coal power with renewables has been the primary driver of UK emission reductions within the power generation sector (down 70% on 1990 levels), emission levels in other sectors such as industry, domestic heating and transport remain high. Although electrification can be used to decarbonise cars and domestic homes doing so in other sectors, such as freight transportation and industrial processes, will be more challenging. The production of green hydrogen has a significant role to play.

Whilst RUK’s report focusses upon the potential environmental and economic benefits that could be realised through the use of ‘excess’ electricity from offshore wind farms in the generation of green hydrogen, generation can also be realised from onshore renewable energy developments.

In its simplest form, the ‘excess’ energy produced by renewable technology (wind, solar or tidal) which is unable to be exported to the national grid, due to capacity or curtailment issues, is used to power an electrolyser which in turn converts water to hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen can then be stored and transported as fuel for use in transport or industry.

The equipment that is required for the process is easily scalable, largely comprising of a shipping container size unit which houses the electrolyser and a compressor. The technology can be readily applied to varying scales of renewable development, in various locations subject to site specific planning constraints.

Whilst still an emerging technology, we recently secured planning permission for an EU funded pilot project for a green hydrogen production facility, with the electricity provided by an existing onshore wind farm.

Strong, visible support for the renewable energy sector from the UK Prime Minister is always welcome. The commitments outlined above are the first stage of a 10-point plan with further details promised later this year. Indeed, the Government might wish to add publication of the long-overdue Energy White Paper and a Hydrogen Strategy to its ‘to do’ list if we are to generate further market confidence and start the revolution.

We have extensive experience in successfully promoting proposals for renewable energy developments through the planning system in all sectors and throughout the UK. Contact Mark Worcester or Emma Walker for further details.

16 October 2020

[1] Boris Johnson: Wind farms could power every home by 2030
[2] Minister highlights plan for ambitious new renewable electricity target
[3] A Sea of Opportunity – UK growth and investment in Offshore Wind, June 2018
[4] Renewable Hydrogen - Seizing the UK Opportunity