The Welsh Government has come under fire from the renewables sector for taking too long to determine planning on three major wind farm projects.
Sector representative body Renewables海角视频 Cymru said the Welsh Government needs to take urgent action to expedite decisions on the schemes that have a combined capacity to generate more than 200MW of green energy – which would power 170,000 homes and support the Cardiff Bay administration’s net zero target.
The Welsh Government said a further delay has been caused by having to assess the projects against its peat policy. It said it is looking to make decisions as quickly as possible, but needs to be cognisant of potential for legal challenges via judicial reviews.
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One of the projects, EDF Renewables 海角视频’s Garn Fach Wind Farm in Powys, has been awaiting a decision for more than two years after being called in by the Welsh Government as a development of national significance (DNS).
Renewables海角视频 Cymru said that DNS schemes are supposed to be determined within 10 months.
The other prejects awaiting Welsh Government planning decisions are the Manmoel Wind Farm from Cenin in Blaenau Gwent and Bute Energy’s Tywyn Hywel Energy Park scheme straddling the local authorities of Rhondda Cynon Taf and Caerphilly.
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Renewables海角视频 Cymru said that fewer than 20% of submissions under the DNS regime are approved on time.
It said the slow process is having real consequences with Welsh projects being at a disadvantage in securing vital funding through the 海角视频 Government’s clean energy auctions (contracts for difference), which provide financial certainty for developers. In the latest auction, Welsh projects secured less than 2% of the 海角视频 total.
Jess Hooper, director of Renewable海角视频 Cymru, said: “The renewable energy industry is ready to overcome barriers to consenting onshore wind in Wales and is ready to work with the new Welsh Government to drive green economic growth.
“We want projects to invest here, to train and employ local people, build thriving supply chains, and bring widespread benefits to communities and nature restoration initiatives.
“Delays send the wrong message, suggesting Wales is not an attractive place for development. Without timely action there is a real risk that Wales will miss this investment opportunity and fall behind in the 海角视频’s race to meet the 2030 clean power target.”
First Minister Eluned Morgan has identified speeding up the planing process as a key priority for her new government.
A Welsh Government spokesman said:“This Welsh Government’s commitment to both the development of renewable energy and our natural environment is unwavering.
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“The First Minister has placed green jobs and growth at the very top of the agenda for delivery, and has put energy, economy and planning together under the same department in order to help ensure that where projects come forward which align with our ambitions then they are considered as a matter of urgency.
“There are clearly challenges in the planning system that need to be overcome, but it’s important also that large infrastructure projects of any nature are considered hand in hand with our natural landscapes and local communities.”
The First Minister has confirmed that she will take the final planning decision on the proposed Cardiff Parkway new mainline train station and 900,000sq ft integrated business park on the outskirts of Cardiff at St Mellons.
The project was called in as a DNS nearly two years ago.