With the proposed Conservative abolition of regional planning, many renewable energy developers have been asking the question; if the Conservatives get into power next year, who will be responsible for setting renewable energy targets?

Planning Magazine reported last week that the Tories are looking at a return to county structure plans. Most UK development companies, whether they be building houses or wind turbines believe that area development plans should provide for the needs of its area or else the provision of adequate housing and essential infrastructure is at risk. These companies and the people responsible for providing the decision making framework i.e. the planners are therefore concerned that any changes are managed smoothly and effectively.

County renewable energy targets set out in county wide structure plans could help speed up the delivery of renewable energy projects in the UK, if the targets are set at the right level. Experience to date has shown that there are huge variations in the wind energy potential of different UK counties because of extreme variations in the relevant opportunities and constraints.

Wind speed increases dramatically in coastal areas, hilly and mountain and moorland areas and even the flat fenlands. Grid infrastructure conversely gets weaker in more rural areas offering few opportunities for connecting renewable energy. National parks and areas of outstanding natural beauty wipe out the wind energy potential of significant parts of the windy UK because of existing national guidance on protecting these landscapes. However in the more built up areas potential is significantly constrained due to the number of houses leaving very little room for renewable energy projects.

Area based renewable energy targets are essential if the UK is to meet its climate change commitments and ensure a secure energy supply. If these targets are to be set at a county level, a proper, informed study of wind energy potential in that county needs to be carried out and most importantly set in the context of the available regional wind energy site potential and national targets otherwise we will not meet our national carbon reduction targets.

Many believe that Conservative proposals for both planning and renewable energy are long overdue and awaited by planners, developers and climate change campaigners.