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BWEA Press Release

Tuesday 19th February 2008

Wales must act now for green energy revolution

BWEA welcomes WAG energy route map but asks for clear action

BWEA welcomed the Welsh Assembly Government's Energy Route Map, but warned that there are still potential problems if targets are not followed with action on the ground. Particularly, there needs to be an increase in the rate of planning application approvals and a decrease in application waiting times.

The Welsh Assembly Government's targets aim at making Wales a net exporter of electricity by 2028. The plan also envisages Wales generating all of its electricity from renewable sources, with 3.5 Gigawatts of installed wind capacity making the most significant contribution to the mix.

John Woodruff, Chairman of BWEA Cymru said 'We could have 33 Terawatt hours per year generated in Wales from 2.5 GW of installed wind capacity onshore together with 1 GW installed offshore. But to do this we need to sustain developer's confidence and build a strong and secure wind industry.'

The only way to do this is by Welsh Assembly Government underpinning targets with a clear and detailed interim road map, with an emphasis on reviewing TAN 8 planning guidelines, and working with Ofgem and the National Grid.

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.'

BWEA Cymru will be responding to the consultation on the Energy Route Map calling for the inclusion of specific commitments to enable the delivery of increased targets. These are:

• A new series of interim targets for renewable electricty generated annually:
  • 2015 – 10TWh
  • 2020 – 15TWh
  • 2025 – 25TWh
  • 2030 – 33TWh
• Stronger planning guidance to local authorities and a commitment to call in planning applications which go significantly beyond the 16 week deadline for decisions.
• Working with industry to persuade Ofgem and National Grid to invest strategically to upgrade grid connections, particulary in Mid Wales & offshore.

For more information please contact:

Charles Anglin, Director of Communications BWEA, on 020 7689 1966 / 0797 348 1907 or c.anglin@bwea.com
Llewelyn Rhys, BWEA Cymru, 07875434049 or ll.rhys@bwea.com

Notes to Editors

• The British Wind Energy Association is the trade and professional body for the UK wind and marine renewables industries. Formed in 1978, and with over 360 corporate members, BWEA is the leading renewable energy trade association in the UK. Wind has been the world's fastest growing renewable energy source for the last seven years, and this trend is expected to continue with falling costs of wind energy and the urgent international need to tackle CO2 emissions to prevent climate change.
• Since October the most progressed windfarm planning applications have been refused, withdrawn, appealed or called-in and none have been approved. These projects include: Blaen Bowi 4MW, Nant Bach 33MW, Brenig 40MW, Gorsedd Bran 35MW, Rhos Garn 20MW, Trane 12MW, Mynydd y Betws 37MW, Glyncorrwg 12MW, Hirwaun 36MW and Merthyr Common 20MW, totalling 249MW of capacity. If these schemes had been approved Wales would already be within reach of its 800MW onshore wind target.