Wales could be self-sufficient in renewable energy

Feb 20 2008 by David Williamson, Western Mail

WALES has the potential to generate all the electricity it needs from renewable sources by 2025, Environment Minister Jane Davidson said yesterday.

Launching the Assembly Government’s new strategy to develop renewable energy production, Ms Davidson said the threat of climate change, concern about the security of imported energy, and alarm at rising fuel costs had highlighted the importance of becoming self-sufficient in green energy sources.

Unveiling the Renewable Energy Route Map for Wales, the Labour AM claimed that Wales could even produce a surplus of electricity through sustainable means.

She argued that if the energy- generating potential of the Severn Estuary was harnessed Wales could be a net exporter of electricity.

However, Welsh Conservative Shadow Environment Minister Darren Millar warned the proposals could “cover Wales in a blanket of wind turbines”.

Ms Davidson stopped short of endorsing the proposed Severn Barrage, which was championed by Peter Hain, when he was Welsh Secretary, as the best means of doing this.

She said, “Clearly it’s something we want to do but we as an Assembly Government are open-minded about how is the best way to harness Severn tidal power.

“We have phenomenal natural resources here, probably almost better than anywhere else in the UK because of the amount of coastline we have.”

Half of the renewable energy would come from marine sources, a third from wind, and the rest mainly from sustainable biomass.

The Route Map states, “If we were to achieve this, then not only could Wales’ electricity needs be met entirely from low carbon energy sources but we would also contribute significantly to the UK’s energy security objectives.”

Achieving this aspiration will involve increasing renewable energy production from its present level of 1.4TWh of electricity to 33TWh. At present Wales consumes around 24 TWh each year.

The proposals were welcomed by Gordon James, director of Friends of the Earth Cymru.

He said, “Wind energy is the most advanced renewable energy technology, and it can make a difference now. We estimate that if all existing proposals for on-shore and off-shore wind were to be developed, wind power could generate over a quarter of Wales’ electricity demand by 2012.”

He added, “The minister deserves praise for standing up to the ill-informed complaints of the minority of people who oppose this clean form of energy. This lead from the centre needs to be supported now at local authority level.”

For the Tories Mr Millar said, “While we welcome any measures to generate more power from renewable sources, I am concerned the Government’s plans will cover Wales in a blanket of wind turbines. We also welcome the minister’s belated conversion to the merits of tidal energy.

“However, I am alarmed at her presumption that many of the targets she is setting will be met by the construction of the Severn Barrage. A feasibility study has only just been launched into that scheme which is by no means certain to ever go ahead.

“If these targets are ever going to be reached the Assembly Government must be prepared to invest in renewable energy technology on land and at sea.”

The British Wind Energy Association said it was “extremely concerned” Wales was making slow process in this area. It wants an increase in the rate of planning application approvals for wind turbines and a decrease in application waiting times.

Llewelyn Rhys, head of BWEA Cymru, said, “Wales is already lagging behind on its current targets. Without a dramatic improvement in approval rates we won’t make the new targets and Wales will become the dirty man of Europe when it comes to energy.”

The consultation on the Route Map will close on May 13.

Wind
The Route Map claims “wind energy is the most readily available commercial renewable technology and Wales’ weather and geography means we are well placed to use it”.

The Forestry Commission is now leasing land for major wind farm developments. There are proposals for two “very large” offshore wind farms – one near Abergele and the other in the outer Bristol Channel.

The Route Map recognises the “landscape-changing nature of large wind farms” and notes “there have been few community-owned” projects.

It suggests the following action:

support UK work on a strategic environmental assessment (SEA) for offshore wind generation in English and Welsh territorial waters;

develop a strategic bid for an EU Convergence Fund project aimed at delivering community-scale wind energy projects.

Biomass
Biomass involves converting forestry products and crops into energy to produce electricity, heat or transport.

Supporters believe it will give farmers an alternative to dependence on food markets and will create new markets for the forestry sector.

The Route Map suggests the Assembly Government should:

support larger scale biomass projects where the fuel source is sustainable

support the development of community heat and power units under a wood energy business scheme which could be funded through EU Structural Fund programmes

explore how the new Better Woodlands for Wales grant scheme could be more closely targeted

examine skills needs with the Sector Skills Councils, to ensure there is an effective micro-generation equipment supply and fitting sector.

Marine Power
It is believed tidal projects could meet 5% of the UK’s electricity needs and more than half of Wales’.

South West Wales is seen as a area with particularly strong potential.

The most high profile project is the proposed Severn Barrage which would connect Lavernock Point near Barry with Brean Down, close to Weston-super-Mare. A feasibility study is underway. The Route Map notes concern about the impact on seals, dolphins and other marine life.

It suggests the Assembly Government should:

examine whether EU Convergence Funds could be used to run a competition to identify the best tidal lagoon site in Wales and support the preparatory phases of constructing perhaps the world’s first tidal-energy lagoon

develop a Wales marine energy action plan.

Hydro-electricity
The Route Map notes that waterwheels once powered industry throughout Wales and suggests hydro-power could be a major force in the 21st century.

It states a main concern for new hydro schemes in rivers is the impact on fish movements. But it also notes that small-scale schemes can be community projects “with low maintenance costs and regular income”.

The Route Map recommends the Assembly Government should:

explore with Environment Agency Wales the scope for enabling more in-river local hydro-power schemes

assist the development of community hydro-power proposals using new European Union Convergence funds

undertake a study to provide clear information on the most appropriate locations for developing new hydro-electric power plants.