Wrexham Local Development Plan 2013 2028 - Renewable Energy Assessment 2017
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Wrexham Local
Development Plan
2013 - 2028
EBRE01
housing open space employment community transport education
Renewable Energy
Assessment
2017
This leaflet is available in accessible formats
Contents
Executive Summary
1. Introduction
1.1 Purpose of the Renewable Energy Assessment
1.2 Planning Policy
1.3 Scope of the Renewable Energy Assessment
1.4 Defining Renewable and Low Carbon Energy
1.5 Explanation of Energy Terms
2. Policy Context & Drivers for Renewable Energy
2.1 Introduction
2.2 European and UK policy context
2.3 Wales Policy Context for Planning and Renewable Energy
2.4 Other UK drivers for Renewable Energy
3. How to Use this Renewable Energy Assessment
3.1 Structure of the Area Wide Renewable Energy Assessment
3.2 Who has prepared this REA?
4. County Borough Wide Renewable Energy Assessment
4.1 Calculating Existing and Future Energy Baseline
4.2 Existing and Proposed Low/Zero Carbon Energy Technologies
4.3 Wind Resource
4.4 Wood fuel and Energy Crops Resource for Heat and Power Generation
4.5 Energy from Waste
4.6 Anaerobic Digestion
4.7 Hydropower Energy Resource
4.8 Heat Opportunities Mapping
4.9 Building Opportunities Mapping (Sheet H)
4.10 Solar Photovoltaic Farm Resource
5. Assessment Summary
6. Policy Implications
Page 2 of 62
Executive Summary
‘One Wales’ sets out the Welsh Assembly’s commitment to tackling climate change including
achieving annual carbon reduction-equivalent emissions reductions of 3% per year in areas of
devolved competence. The Assembly Government resolves that all will play the fullest part in
reducing CO2 emissions and is committed to developing a comprehensive energy strategy and a
renewable energy route map. In line with this national commitment the Welsh Government issued
an ‘Energy Policy Statement for Wales’ (March 2010) which states the aim to renewably generate
up to twice as much electricity annually by 2025 and by 2050 to meet almost all of our local energy
needs, whether for heat, electrical power or vehicle transport, by low carbon electricity production.
Wrexham County Borough Council is currently preparing its Local Development Plan (LDP).
Paragraph 12.8.2 of Planning Policy Wales Edition 9 (November 2016) requires all local planning
authorities to produce Renewable Energy Assessments as part of the wider evidence base in
support of strategic renewable energy development outside of Strategic Search Areas.
The REA identifies local search areas for solar resources that will need to be identified in the LDP
proposals maps and supported by LDP policies. There are also opportunities for combined heat
and power associated with large development sites that the LDP will need to support. Other
technologies will need general positive support without identifying specific locations.
This county-wide Renewable Energy Assessment (REA) has been prepared to assess the
potential of the Wrexham County Borough Council area to contribute to national greenhouse gas
emission reduction targets. It varies from other local authorities dependent upon issues such as
geography, land availability and also the priorities given by councils and communities to various
policy objectives. This REA provides the results of a robust exercise to establish potential for
renewable energy in the area that would support a selection of policy objectives: many of which
could also be addressed through corporate action.
Whilst predominantly satisfying the need for providing part of robust evidence base, the REA might
just as easily and effectively be utilised by public sector departments, possibly through the
activities of the Public Service Boards (PSBs), and also relevant private sector organisations.
Delivery will involve everyone but, significantly, professionals from a wide range of disciplines.
Utilising this REA to its greatest effect will require greater or lesser input from politicians, senior
managers, finance experts, consultants, planners, developers, project managers, energy
managers / technicians, engineers and waste management officers to name but a few.
Delivering some of the potential identified in this REA is likely to require considerable cooperation
between local authorities and other public sector bodies, and between public and private sector.
The greatest challenge to this cooperation may arise in attempting to reduce the carbon emissions
of existing building stock, potentially though linking to Heat Networks or larger scale renewable
electricity generating technologies.
The public sector, tasked with a leadership role, should be pro-active in identifying cost effective
approaches to contributing to meeting targets and facilitating the success of others. Wrexham
County Borough Council, through this REA, is fulfilling this role in identifying some of these
potential opportunities within its area.
Page 3 of 62
Wrexham County Borough Council: Renewable Energy Assessment
1.0 Introduction
1.1 Background and purpose of this Renewable Energy Assessment (REA)
This Renewable Energy Assessment (REA) was developed using Welsh Government practice
guidance “Planning for Renewable and Low Carbon Energy: A Toolkit for Planners”, the findings of
this assessment stemming directly from the application of the methods outlined in the toolkit.
Climate change and energy security are key priorities of both the UK and Welsh Governments.
The use of fossil fuels is seen as a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, a major cause
of global climate change and moving towards a low carbon energy based economy to tackle the
causes of climate change and improve energy security are a Government priority. The generation
and use of renewable and low carbon energy sources has a key role to play in this and the UK
Government is committed to meeting the EU target of 15% of energy from renewable sources by
2020. The Climate Change Act 2008 introduces a legally binding target of at least a 34% cut in
greenhouse gas emissions by 2020, and at least an 80% cut by 2050, against a 1990 baseline.
Welsh Government has made a commitment to tackling climate change, resolving that all will play
the fullest possible part in meeting statutory UK and EU targets on greenhouse gas emission
reduction.
In terms of the land use planning system, Welsh Government has shown strong leadership by
producing policy guidance within Planning Policy Wales Edition 9 November 2016 (PPW)1 and the
associated Technical Advice Note 8 (TAN8): Planning for Renewable Energy.2
Local Authorities have several key roles to play that can facilitate the use and generation of
renewable and low carbon energy. These include:
1. Preparing planning policies and allocating land in their Local Development Plans
2. Development management – taking decisions on planning applications submitted to the
local planning authority for development; as well as preparing Local Impact Assessments
for schemes which are determined by the Infrastructure Planning Commission
3. Corporate – taking action at a council wide level to achieve a low carbon economy.
4. Leadership – taking forward wider community action and communicating the need to
increase the uptake of renewable energy.
Purpose
This REA constitutes an evidence base to underpin a number of local development plan policies
that can support and facilitate the deployment of renewable and low carbon energy systems
across the Wrexham County Borough area. The REA (or evidence base) consists of an
assessment of the potential for renewable and low carbon energy generation, at different scales,
and at different levels of detail.
Why is this REA important?
This REA will inform action to support the deployment and delivery of renewable energy
installations on the ground. This is expected to assist in meeting the two key challenges for UK
1
http://gov.wales/topics/planning/policy/ppw/?lang=en
2
http://gov.wales/topics/planning/policy/tans/tan8/?lang=en
Page 4 of 62
energy policy, namely: tackling climate change by reducing carbon dioxide emissions and
improving energy security. At a more detailed level, this REA provides an evidence base to
explore a number of policy objectives:
Identification and promotion of sites for renewable energy generation;
Informing the selection of land for development (allocation of sites), by identifying those
sites with the greatest potential for sustainable energy and carbon reduction;
Ensure that sites under consideration for allocation do not conflict with the potential to
deliver renewable energy or low carbon development; and
To enable local authority exploration of requiring developers to connect to an existing or
proposed district heating network
Within the REA, the ‘accessible’ renewable energy resource has been identified and an initial heat
opportunities analysis. The opportunities relate particularly to where renewable and low carbon
energy may be linked to new development via district heating networks (DHNs).
This REA presents information that is potentially useful to developers and wider stakeholders alike
in facilitating partnerships and taking forward delivery of the opportunities identified. It will also
assist Wrexham County Borough Council planning policy officers deliver two national planning
policy expectations as set out in Planning Policy Wales, namely:
1. Planning for Renewable Energy. This indicates that “local planning authorities [LPA’s]
should undertake an assessment of the potential for all renewable energy resources,
renewable energy technologies, energy efficiency, and conservation measures, and to
include appropriate policies in LDP’s”.
2. Planning for Sustainable Buildings. This states that, as part of preparing their LDP’s,
“Local planning authorities should assess strategic sites to identify opportunities for higher
sustainable building standards [including zero carbon] to be required. In bringing forward
standards higher than the national minimum ......LPA’s should ensure that what is proposed
is evidence-based and viable”.
In order to achieve higher standards, it is highly likely that at some point some form of renewable
or low carbon energy generation will be required. This REA has employed the method detailed in
“Planning for Renewable and Low Carbon energy: A Toolkit for Planners”3 for identifying and
assessing potential.
Wider corporate role
In terms of wider roles, all local authorities including Wrexham County Borough Council may have
objectives or requirements in relation to tackling climate change that they need to meet, stemming
from either Sustainable Community Strategies, national strategies or their own corporate
strategies. This REA enables Wrexham County Borough Council to identify specific opportunities
for taking forward renewable and low carbon energy generation across the Wrexham County
Borough area.
Scope of this Renewable Energy Assessment - What this Renewable Energy
Assessment does, and does not, cover is set out below.
Planning
The REA focuses on planning policy, rather than development management. This Assessment
has been developed primarily for Wrexham County Borough Council policy planners, as an
3
http://gov.wales/topics/planning/policy/guidanceandleaflets/toolkit-for-planners/?lang=en
Page 5 of 62
evidence base to support renewable and low carbon energy policies and site allocations in the
LDP.
This REA is not intended for use by development control officers to assess planning applications
for either strategic new development sites that are incorporating renewable energy, or for stand-
alone renewable energy generating systems. However, parts of the REA, such as the Energy
Opportunities Plan can potentially be very useful to inform pre-application discussions between
development management officers and developers. Firstly, when assessing applications for new
development sites, it can aid officers in discussions with developers around opportunities for
district heating and making use of waste heat. Secondly, when assessing applications for larger
scale new generation schemes, it can enable officers to identify whether there is the potential for
those schemes to supply heat to new or existing development. Thirdly, in the case of wind and
solar developments, it can assist officers in understanding why a developer has chosen a
particular location to develop a scheme.
Technology
The Assessment is not meant to be an exhaustive guide to the different renewable and low carbon
energy technologies that are available. TAN 84 provides an introduction to a range of renewable
and low carbon technologies and should be first point of reference. Others include The
Department for Energy and Climate Change and the Energy Saving Trust.
Energy Hierarchy
This REA focuses on renewable and low carbon energy generation, and the opportunities for
promoting this through the LDP, rather than on improving energy efficiency in new or existing
buildings. This is not to imply that the latter is less important in terms of mitigating climate change:
it is at least as, if not more, important. However, it is not covered in this REA, partly to keep the
document to a manageable size, but also because there is only a limited amount, if anything, that
planning policy for new developments can contribute in this area, over and above the existing
sustainable buildings standards in Wales, and future changes to part L of the Building Regulations.
Transport
The REA covers the potential for generating renewable electricity or heat (for use in buildings or
processes) but does not include an assessment of the potential for renewable or low carbon fuels
for transport.
On-shore
In terms of renewable energy options and resources, potential has only been assessed for on-
shore renewable energy. It does not cover the potential for offshore renewable energy, such as
wave, offshore wind and tidal.
Large scale on-shore wind
The REA is not intended to duplicate the analysis carried out in TAN 8, which identified Strategic
Search Areas (SSAs) for large scale on-shore wind power (none of which are located in
Wrexham). Rather, in the case of wind power, it has identified smaller scale opportunities outside
of the SSAs.
Policy wording
The REA provides an evidence base to support relevant policies for potential inclusion in the LDP,
rather than giving detailed guidance on how policies should be worded. The latter is the role of
supporting guidance in TAN 8, and TAN 22.
Test of soundness
4
http://gov.wales/topics/planning/policy/tans/tan8/?lang=en
Page 6 of 62
The responsibility of preparing evidence for LDP policies and decisions taken in the LDP is the
sole responsibility of Wrexham County Borough policy planners. Assumptions and data used in
carrying out this REA have been sought from established sources. Where there is no established
source an assumption has been derived based on the best evidence available. In future, guidance,
assumptions and data sources may change, particularly as technology and the policy and
regulatory framework evolves.
1.4 Defining renewable energy and low carbon energy
Renewable energy
There are many definitions of renewable energy, the definition employed in Planning Policy Wales
[Para 12.8.7] is as follows:
“Renewable energy is the term used to cover those sources of energy, other than fossil fuels or
nuclear fuel, which are continuously and sustainably available in our environment. This includes
wind, water, solar, geothermal energy and plant material often referred to as biomass”
Another important characteristic of renewable energy, which will be explained in more detail
below, is that unlike fossil fuels, it produces little or no net carbon dioxide [CO2] – which is one of
the main greenhouse gas emissions. Most forms of renewable energy stem directly or indirectly
from the sun. The direct ones include, obviously, solar water heating, and photovoltaics. This also
includes ground source and air source heat pumps, which make use of solar energy stored in the
ground. The indirect forms are: wind power, as wind is caused by differential warming of the
earth’s surface by the sun; hydropower, as rainfall is driven by the sun causing evaporation of the
oceans; and biomass energy [from burning organic matter], as all plants photosynthesise sunlight
in order to fix carbon and grow.
The combustion of biomass fuel is carbon neutral, because although the combustion releases
CO2, the same amount of CO2 was taken out of the atmosphere when the biomass was growing.
Research informing Planning Policy Wales confirms “Biomass is generally regarded as fuel [other
than fossil fuel], at least 98% of the energy content of which is derived organically from plant or
animal matter. This includes agricultural, forestry or wood waste or residues, sewage and energy
crops”.
The other two forms of renewable energy are tidal power, which relies on the gravitational pull of
both the sun and the moon, and geothermal energy, which taps into the heat generated in the
Earth’s core. Of all these, perhaps the most complex and multi-faceted are biomass energy, as it
can take so many forms. It can include: burning of forestry residues; anaerobic digestion of animal
manures and food wastes; combustion of straw and other agricultural residues and products. It
also includes the methane produced from the anaerobic digestion of biodegradable matter in
landfill sites [i.e. landfill gas], as well as any energy generated from the biodegradable fraction of
waste going into an energy from waste plant.
This REA does not cover the resource for all renewable energy options (see Table 1 below). It is
focused on onshore renewable energy options only. It also does not cover renewable energy
options that are unlikely to be generally accessible at a local authority level, for sites in the
Wrexham County Borough area, such as geothermal energy, or tidal barrages. It does cover the
following renewable energy technologies [considering both electricity and heat]:
Table 1: Renewable energy technologies covered by the REA
Renewable energy technologies covered by the REA
Wind energy [on-shore wind and community scale development]
Biomass energy: including forestry residues, miscanthus, short rotation coppice and straw
Page 7 of 62
Energy from Waste [EfW] including:
Waste Wood
Municipal waste
Industrial and commercial waste
Centralised Anaerobic Digestion, covering;
Food Waste
Agricultural Waste
Sewage sludge
Hydropower Energy
Building Integrated Renewables [BIR], covering: biomass boilers; air and ground source heat
pumps, photovoltaics; small and micro wind power.
Solar:
Low carbon energy options
Low carbon energy options cover a range of energy sources that are not renewable, but can still
produce less carbon than use of the conventional electricity grid or gas network, and are therefore
considered an important part of decarbonising the energy supply. These options include:
Waste heat, e.g. from power stations, or industrial processes
Gas engine or gas turbine Combined Heat and Power [CHP], where the heat is usefully
used
Stirling engine or fuel cell CHP, where the heat is usefully used
The non-biodegradable fraction of the output from energy from waste plants
1.5 Explanation of energy terms: the difference between power and energy
and electricity and heat
Power vs. energy output
In the context of this Renewable Energy Assessment, power is measured in either KiloWatts [kW],
or MegaWatts [MW], which is a thousand kW, or GigaWatts [GW], which is a thousand MW. It is a
measure of the electricity or heat output being generated [or used] at any given moment in time.
The maximum output of a generator, when it is running at full power, is referred to as its installed
capacity or rated power output.
Energy, on the other hand, is the product of power and time. It has the units of kWh [the h stands
for “hour”] or MWh, or GWh. As an example, if a 2MW wind turbine ran at full power for 1 hour, it
would have generated 2 x 1 = 2MWh of energy. If it ran at full power for one day [24 hours], it
would have generated 2 x 24 = 48MWh.
This distinction is important, because in carrying out the renewable energy resource assessment
set out in E1, certain assumptions have been made to calculate both the potential installed
capacity [or maximum power output] of different technologies, as well as the potential annual
energy output.
Electricity vs. Heat output
In terms of the units used, to avoid confusion, it can be important to distinguish between whether a
generator is producing electricity or heat. This is because some renewable energy fuels [i.e.
biomass] can be used to produce either heat only, or power and heat simultaneously when used in
a Combined Heat & Power [CHP] plant.
Page 8 of 62
It is also important to be able to distinguish between renewable electricity targets and renewable
heat targets. To do this, the suffix “e” is added in this toolkit to denote electricity power or energy
output, e.g. MWe, or MWhe, whilst for heat, the suffix “t” is used [for “thermal”], to denote heat
output, e.g. MWt, or MWht
2.0 Policy context and drivers for renewable energy
2.1 Introduction
The Well-being of Future Generations Act (2015)5 establishes a legal obligation for public bodies
to deliver seven wellbeing goals, three of which are directly relevant to work on renewable energy;
A prosperous Wales; An innovative, productive and low carbon society which recognises
the limits of the global environment and therefore uses resources efficiently and
proportionately (including acting on climate change); and which develops a skilled and well-
educated population in an economy which generates wealth and provides employment
opportunities, allowing people to take advantage of the wealth generated through securing
decent work;
A Resilient Wales; A nation which maintains and enhances a biodiverse natural
environment with healthy functioning ecosystems that support social, economic and
ecological resilience and the capacity to adapt to change (for example climate change);
A Globally Responsible Wales; A nation which, when doing anything to improve the
economic, social, environmental and cultural well-being of Wales, takes account of whether
doing such a thing may make a positive contribution to global well-being.
In ‘One Wales’ programme for government, Welsh Government set out a commitment to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions in Wales, with an aim to achieve annual carbon reduction-equivalent
emission reductions of 3% per year in areas of devolved competence, including actions on
diversified renewable energy generation. Welsh Government has reiterated the recognition that
climate change is the greatest threat facing humanity and is committed to ensuring that Wales
plays a full part in meeting the challenges which this presents.
Welsh Government has a legal obligation to promote Sustainable Development and has embarked
on an ambitious and long term programme of cross cutting policy initiatives to address these
issues. This is contained in ‘One Wales: One Planet’ (2009)6 which sets out a vision where within
the lifetime of a generation we want to see Wales using only its fair share of the earth’s resources.
Renewable energy plays an integral part in achieving this vision. The Climate Change Strategy
[2010] set out a vision for Wales in 20507. Within this vision it states.
“The energy intensity of society has decreased significantly. There has been a major consistent
drop in energy and water demand. There has been a major increase in renewable energy
generation, offshore and onshore”
Moving towards a low carbon energy based economy is a national priority. The UK Government is
committed to meeting the EU target of 15 % of energy from renewable sources by 2020, and
Welsh Government will deliver its fair share towards these targets as set out in the Climate
Change Strategy [2010].
5
http://gov.wales/topics/people-and-communities/people/future-generations-act/?lang=en
6
http://gov.wales/docs/desh/publications/090521susdev1wales1planeten.pdf
7
http://gov.wales/topics/environmentcountryside/climatechange/emissions/climate-change-strategy-for-
wales/?lang=en
Page 9 of 62
2.2 UK and European policy context
EU Renewable Energy Directive8: The UK has signed up to the Directive, agreeing to legally
binding targets of 15% of energy from renewable sources by 2020. The UK Renewable Energy
Strategy18 suggests that by 2020, this could mean:
More than 30% of our electricity generated from renewable energy sources
12% of our heat generated from renewable energy sources
10% of transport energy from renewable energy sources
The UK Renewable Energy Roadmap [2011]9 sets out how the UK could increase the use of
renewable electricity, heat and transport to meet this target and address the urgent challenges of
climate change and national security of energy supply. The Roadmap confirms that approximately
90% of the generation necessary to meet the 15% target can be delivered from a subset of eight
technologies.
Technology Central Range for 2020
(TWh)
Onshore Wind 24-32
Off-shore Wind 33-58
Biomass (Electricity) 32-50
Marine 1
Biogas (Heat) 36-50
Heat Pumps 16-22
Renewable Transport Up to 48
Other 14
Estimated 15% target 234
The remaining renewable energy generation necessary to meet the 2020 target, will come from
technologies such as hydropower, solar PV, and deep geothermal heat and power.
2.3 Wales policy context for planning and renewable energy
Planning’s wider role in shaping places with lower carbon emissions and resilience to climate
change is set out in of PPW edition 9 November 2016 [Chapter 4 – Planning for Sustainability] and
the associated Technical Advice Note (TAN) 8 on renewable energy. The Welsh Government has
set out to achieve annual carbon reduction-equivalent emissions reductions of 3 per cent per year
in areas of devolved competence, which include land use planning. The Welsh Government is also
committed to achieving at least a 40% reduction in all greenhouse gas emissions in Wales by
2020 against a 1990 baseline.
PPW [paragraph 4.12.5] states that “local planning authorities should assess strategic sites to
identify opportunities for higher sustainable building standards [including zero carbon] to be
required. In bringing forward standards higher than the national minimum local planning authorities
should ensure that what is proposed is evidence-based and viable”.
In addition, PPW [paragraph 4.12.7] states that “particular attention should be given to
opportunities for minimising carbon emissions associated with the heating, cooling and power
systems for new developments. This can include utilising existing or proposed local and low and
zero carbon energy supply systems [including district heating systems], encouraging the
8
https://ec.europa.eu/energy/en/topics/renewable-energy/renewable-energy-directive
9
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/48128/2167-uk-renewable-energy-
roadmap.pdf
Page 10 of 62development of new opportunities to supply proposed and existing development, and maximising
opportunities to co-locate potential heat customers and suppliers.”
The Planning and Energy Act, 200810, enables LPA in Wales to set reasonable requirements in
the LDP for the generation of energy from local renewable sources and low carbon energy and for
energy efficiency. The Act is complemented by the policies contained in PPW that cover such
issues and provides a legal basis for the implementation of LDP policies against the national
framework. The Act requires that LDP policies must not be inconsistent with relevant national
policies, and the new powers of LPA under the 2008 Act are also subject to the requirements of
section 62 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 200411.
Energy developments meeting the criteria of ‘Developments of National Significance’ will be
determined directly by the Welsh Government.
In September 2009 and 2011 changes were made to ‘permitted development’ rights to make
provision for the installation of certain types of microgeneration by householders without the need
for planning permission, namely solar photovoltaic and solar thermal panels, ground and water
source heat pumps and flues for biomass heating. Further Permitted Development rights relating
to wind turbines were made in 2011.
In Wales changes to Part L of the Building Regulations came into force on 31 July 201412. These
changes mean that new dwellings will be 8% more energy efficient when compared to the Building
Regulations 2010 standards. The Welsh Government had previously consulted in 2012 on a 40%
or 25% reduction on 2010 levels, stating that 40% was its preferred option.
Wales wider policy context
Energy Wales: A Low Carbon Transition (2013)
The approach is to undertake a whole system transition to low carbon energy – covering
electricity, heating and transport – which amounts to a revolution in the way we meet and manage
our energy needs. Countries that lead on the transition to low carbon can exploit significant wealth
generation opportunities globally as well as internally. We therefore want to ensure that Wales is in
the best possible position to not only create new jobs and supply chain opportunities, but to take
advantage of the potential to export energy, expertise, goods and services to other nations
seeking to make the transition to a low carbon economy. The document sets how Welsh
Government will enable a transition to low carbon by;
Providing leadership on energy in Wales; by reviewing the consenting regime, putting in
place energy infrastructure and co-ordinating and prioritising delivery through an energy
programme;
Maximise the benefit energy can deliver for Wales by; ensuring Wales benefits
economically from energy developments; ensuring Wales’ communities benefit from energy
developments; focusing on energy projects of greatest potential benefit;
Act now for Wales’ long term energy future; by unlocking the energy in our seas and
leading the way to smart living
Environment Act 2016
Climate change – provides the Welsh Ministers with powers to put in place statutory emission
reduction targets, including at least an 80% reduction in emissions by 2050 and carbon budgeting
10
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2008/21/contents
11
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/5/contents
12
http://gov.wales/topics/planning/buildingregs/approved-documents/part-l-energy/?lang=en
Page 11 of 62to support their delivery. This is vital within the context of our existing UK and EU obligations and
sets a clear pathway for decarbonisation. It also provides certainty and clarity for business and
investment.
2.4 Other UK Drivers for Renewable Energy
Feed in Tariffs [FITs]
The Feed-in Tariffs scheme (FITs) is an environmental programme introduced by the government
to promote the use of small-scale renewable and low-carbon electricity generation technologies. If
a householder, community or business has an eligible installation, FITs pays them a tariff for the
electricity they generate and a tariff for the electricity they export back to the grid. The following
technologies are eligible for the scheme:
Solar photovoltaic (PV) with a total installed capacity (TIC) of 5MW or less
Wind with a TIC of 5MW or less
Hydro with a TIC of 5MW or less
Anaerobic digestion with a TIC of 5MW or less
Micro combined heat and power (CHP) installations with a TIC of 2kW or less.
However an extension to an existing FIT installation that was commissioned on or after 15 January
2016, then it will not be eligible for FIT payments.
Renewable Heat Incentive Domestic and Non-Domestic [RHI]
The Renewable Heat Incentive is a government financial incentive to promote the use of
renewable heat. Switching to heating systems that use eligible energy sources can help the UK
reduce its carbon emissions and meet its renewable energy targets. People who join the scheme
and stick to its rules receive quarterly payments for seven years for the amount of clean, green
renewable heat it’s estimated their system produces. Since opening in April 2014, the scheme has
already seen thousands of people successfully join and receive payments.
There are four eligible renewable technology types. These are: 1.biomass only boilers, and
biomass pellet stoves 2.air source heat pumps 3.ground source heat pumps 4.flat plate and
evacuated tube solar thermal panels.
The Renewables Obligation [RO]
The RO is the main current financial support scheme for renewable electricity in the UK, and is
administered by Ofgem. It obliges electricity suppliers in the UK to source a proportion of their
electricity from renewable supplies. They demonstrate this has been achieved by showing they
have the required quantity of Renewable Obligation Certificates [ROCs], which renewable
electricity generators are awarded for their output.
If suppliers fail to meet their target, they have to pay a fine, with the value of the fine “pot” being,
on an annual basis, split among those suppliers who do meet their targets. This creates a market
for the ROCs and means that generators of renewable electricity can sell the ROCs that they
receive for significantly more than they receive for their electricity output. The intention is that RO
will continue to incentivise electricity generation from larger scale renewable energy installations,
whilst the FIT will be aimed at smaller generators.
Page 12 of 623.0 How to use this Renewable Energy Assessment
3.1 Structure of the Renewable Energy Assessment (REA)
The Planning for Renewable and Low Carbon Energy: Toolkit for Planners (2015)13, details a
number of policy options a local authority may choose and then provides guidance to aid the
collection of an evidence base to support the policy options. This REA seeks an evidence base for
these options;
P2. Inform site allocations
These can identify whether sites may be in conflict with potential sites for renewable energy
deployment, or whether there may be an opportunity to consolidate sites together in terms of new
development providing potential heat loads for renewable energy generation.
P3. Identify sites for stand-alone renewable energy development. This covers the
identification of strategic sites for stand-alone, local authority-wide scale renewable energy
schemes, not necessarily linked to any new developments. This relates to onshore wind energy
projects between 5 and 25MW (outside of the SSA’s in TAN8) and between 5 and 50MW for all
other technologies.
P4. Identify opportunities and requirements for renewable or low carbon energy generation
linked to strategic new build development sites. This may involve developing specific policy
requirements for major new development sites, to consider the use of, for example, CHP and DH,
where the assessment shows that there is significant potential for renewable or low carbon energy
generation or use.
P4. Develop policy mechanisms to support District Heating Networks (DHNs) for strategic
sites. For new development sites where there is the potential for district heating networks (DHNs)
to be fuelled by renewable or low carbon energy sources, local authorities can consider setting
requirements to connect to DHNs, or perhaps to pay into a fund to support DHN infrastructure in
the locality. For both P3 and P4, a key output from the evidence base assessment is an Energy
Opportunities Plan, which is a visual, spatial depiction of the opportunities.
P6. Identify further actions for LA, public sector and wider stakeholders
This follows on from P3, P4 and P5, and involves the identification of actions wider than just
planning policy to assist in the delivery of strategic opportunities for renewable or low carbon
energy generation.
To provide the evidence base to support these policy options the following evidence base is
required; E1 Area Wide RE Assessment; E3 Heat Opportunities Mapping; E4 Detailed Viability
Appraisal for Strategic Sites.
3.2 Who has developed this REA?
This REA has been developed by Wrexham County Borough Council planning policy officers, with
assistance from local authority waste and energy officers. The REA has been compiled using a
Geographical Information Systems (GIS) approach and methods as set out within the
aforementioned practice guidance.
13
http://gov.wales/topics/planning/policy/guidanceandleaflets/toolkit-for-planners/?lang=en
Page 13 of 62Wrexham County Borough Council area wide renewable Energy
assessment
This section details the ‘accessible’ renewable energy resources in the Wrexham County Borough
Council area, the variation in technologies that may need to be employed to utilise such resources,
and the different outputs (electricity and / or heat) of each technology.
Issues and questions addressed by this element of the REA include:
Calculating existing and future energy baseline
What is the current energy demand in the WCBC local authority area?
What will be the energy demand in the WCBC local authority area in 2020?
Existing and proposed LZC energy technologies
What is the existing capacity of low and zero carbon energy technologies in the WCBC
local authority area?
Are any low and zero carbon energy technology installations being proposed in the WCBC
local authority area?
Wind energy resource
What is the potential for medium and large scale wind in the WCBC local authority area?
What are the potential sites for stand-alone renewable energy development in the WCBC
local authority area?
Biomass energy resource
What is the potential energy from biomass in the WCBC local authority area?
Energy from Waste
What is the potential energy from municipal solid waste in the WCBC local authority area?
What is the potential energy from commercial and industrial waste in the WCBC local
authority area?
What is the potential energy from energy from food waste in the WCBC local authority
area?
What is the potential energy from energy from animal manure and poultry litter in the
WCBC local authority area?
What is the potential energy from digestion of sewage sludge in the WCBC local authority
area?
Hydropower Energy Resource
What is the potential energy from hydropower in the WCBC local authority area?
Solar PV Farms
What is the potential for medium and large scale PV Farms in your local authority area?
What are the potential sites for standalone PV Farm development in your local authority
area?
What is the potential energy [MW] from ‘stand-alone’ solar PV farms in your area?
Page 14 of 624.0 County Borough Wide Renewable Energy Assessment
4.1 Calculating existing and future energy baseline (Sheet I)
The method employed for base-lining the WCBC area wide energy consumption is detailed in
‘Renewable energy: A Toolkit for Planners’ Sheet I.14
Data Sources;
DECC Sub National Total Final Energy Consumption in the UK 2015;
The method relies upon:
Predicted future energy demand as indicated in the UK Renewable Energy Strategy
WAG derived data and statistics currently published by DECC.
Table 4.1 indicates the reported total annual demand (Giga Watt hour (GWh)) for the UK, Wales
and for Wrexham County Borough for 2013 by energy sector while Table 4.2 shows the predicted
electricity and heat demand for Wrexham County Borough for 202015.
Table 4.1: Total Energy Demand: 2013
Total Energy 2013 (GWh)
Sector UK Wales Wrexham
Electricity 289,976 15,545 999
Heat 712,702 55,968 2,050
Transport 434,005 21,465 755
Wrexham County Borough Council’s Local Development Plan period runs until 2028. As such this
report has assumed that the rate of change associated with both electrical and thermal energy
between 2013 and 2020 will continue unchanged. Thus the predicted electrical and thermal
consumption across Wrexham in 2028 is 1020 GWh, and 1,918 GWh respectively.
Table 4.2: Predicted Energy Demand WCB: 2028
Electricity (GWh) Thermal (GWh)
Baseline energy 2009 1025 2833
Projection to 2028 99.7% 81.3%
Predicted energy 2028 1022 2303
Percentage change from 2009 -0.5% -32.3%
to 2028
Years to plan period 15 15
Predicted energy 2028 1020 1918
14
http://gov.wales/topics/planning/policy/guidanceandleaflets/toolkit-for-planners/?lang=en
15
Source both tables: DECC Sub National Total Final Energy Consumption in the UK 2015
Page 15 of 62Table 4.3: Total Energy Demand by Sector: 2013
Total Energy 2013 (GWh)
Sector UK Wales Wrexham UK RES Sector
Coal (Industrial/Commercial)
22,558 1,651 68 Heat
Coal (Domestic) 5,693 708 27 Heat
Manufactured fuels
(Industrial/Commercial) 44,113 15,370 0.2 Heat
Manufactured fuels (Domestic)
3,052 203 14 Heat
Petroleum products
(Industrial/Commercial) 106,655 11,280 103 Heat
Petroleum products (Domestic)
32,228 3,303 103 Heat
Petroleum products (Road Transport)
426,410 21,107 746 Transport
Petroleum products (Rail) 7,595 358 9 Transport
Natural Gas (Industrial/Commercial)
182,747 8,976 1,109 Heat
Natural Gas (Domestic) 315,656 14,477 626 Heat
Electricity (Industrial/Commercial)
181,556 10,366 774 Electricity
Electricity (Domestic) 108,420 5,179 225 Electricity
Renewables and Waste 22,597 3,035 499 n/a
Source: Sub-national total final energy consumption in the United Kingdom 2005-2013 - DECC
(2015)
4.2 Existing and proposed LZC energy technologies (Sheet A)
Data Sources;
FIT Installations Statistical Report (Ofgem; Sept 2017);
Ofgem Renewables and CHP Register (Ofgem; Sept 2017);
Renewable Energy Planning Database (DECC; Sept 2017);
To demonstrate the progress being made and establish a baseline of installed capacity (Table 4.4)
the capacity of Low and Zero Carbon [LZC] technologies already installed in the WCBC local
authority area had been established. Where LZC energy technologies already exist, the installed
capacities [measured in MW] were recorded.
This assessment of existing capacity covers electricity and heat generation, and large scale as
well as ‘Building Integrated Renewables’ (BIR) generation. For larger schemes, it also includes
those that have received planning consent, but are not yet built. The locations of the larger scale
projects have been plotted using GIS, and are included within Figure 4.4 below.
Identifying existing smaller scale and microgeneration capacity
Data has been collected at the local authority level on Feed in Tariff accredited installations. Care
has been taken to ensure no double counting has taken place, primarily through discussion with
Wrexham County Borough Council officers.
Page 16 of 62Table 4.4: Existing Renewable Energy Installations: WCBC 2017
Capacity
Name of Scheme Technology (MWe) Status Source
1 Five Fords WWTW CHP Sewage gas 1.17 Installed Ofgem Register
2 Tesco Cefn Mawr 6450 Fueled 0.29 Installed Ofgem Register
3 Hafod Quarry Landfill Gas Landfill gas 1.113 Installed Ofgem Register
4 Trench Solar Farm Photovoltaic 4.02 Installed Ofgem Register
5 Penybont Solar Farm Landfill gas 2.3 Installed DECC
6 Bronwylfa Solar Farm Photovoltaic 3 Installed DECC
N/A Wrexham CBC Social Housing Photovoltaic 4.23 Installed WCBC
N/A Wrexham CBC Schools/Offices Photovoltaic 0.28 Installed WCBC
N/A FiT Photovoltaic 10.086 Installed Ofgem FiT
7 Penycae Solar Farm Photovoltaic 5 Installed Ofgem Register
N/A FiT Wind 0.02 Installed Ofgem FiT
8 Land Opposite Tyn Y Pistyll Photovoltaics 5 Installed WCBC
9 Land at Maelor Gas Works Photovoltaics 5 Installed WCBC
10 Knolton Farmhouse Cheese
Solar Farm Photovoltaics 1 Installed DECC
11 Land NW Of Pickhill Bridge
Farm Photovoltaics 5 Installed DECC
Total 47.51 MWe
Table 4.5: Proposed Renewable Energy Installations
Capacity
Name of Scheme Technology (MWe) Status Source
1 Planning Permission
Land north of Bryn Lane
Photovoltaics 6.4 Granted DECC
2 Planning Permission
Land south of Francis Lane
Photovoltaics 4.6 Granted DECC
3 Planning Permission
Land at Borras Hall
Photovoltaics 10 Granted DECC
4 Planning Permission
Land off Bryn Lane, WIE Granted (Under
Biomass 5.4 Construction) WCBC
Total 26.4 MWe
Table 4.6: Existing Renewable Heat Capacity
Capacity
Name of Scheme Technology (MWe) Status Source
Five Fords WWTW CHP Sewage gas 0.49 Installed Ofgem Register
Tesco Cefn Mawr 6450 Fuelled 0.15 Installed Ofgem Register
Hafod Quarry Landfill Gas Landfill gas 0.67 Installed Ofgem Register
Gardden Lodge Landfill gas 1.26 Installed Ofgem Register
Penybont Landfill gas 1.38 Installed DECC
Total 3.95 MWe
Page 17 of 62Existing and Proposed LZC Technologies Map
Page 18 of 624.3 Wind Energy Resource (Sheet B)
This section follows the methodology for undertaking a strategic assessment of accessible wind
power potential as set out in the ‘Toolkit for Planners’ sheet ‘B’16.
It is noted that this methodology is only suitable for a strategic, high level assessment. Though the
exercise may show that the locating of wind turbines might be constrained in a particular area this
does not mean that turbines could not be located there in practice. This is because, for example,
environmental designations in those areas may not be impacted on by a wind development (e.g. if
the designation is for flora or invertebrates), or it may be possible to achieve a “technical fix” for
radar interference at a particular site. Therefore, the constraints maps should not be used to
preclude wind development in constrained areas. It is for each planning applicant to demonstrate
whether the impacts are within acceptable limits, and meet relevant policy and guidance.
Secondly, although this high level process can inform the potential for individual sites, it is not in
itself enough to fully assess their technical viability. Some of the further site level constraints that
would need to be assessed (and this is not meant to be an exhaustive list) include:
Site slope
Practical access to sites required for development
Proximity to power lines, public rights of way, bridle ways
Landowner willingness for development to go ahead
Distance to the nearest appropriate electricity grid connection
Consultation with telecommunications operators to identify whether any links were passing
over the site
Formal consultation with the MoD and Civil Aviation Authority to identify any potential
objections in relation to radar interference
Impact on birds, bats and other ecology
Issues of cumulative impact in relation to other existing or proposed wind power
installations.
For the purposes of planning policy in Wales, large scale wind power has been defined in TAN 8
as wind farms of between 25MW and 50MW. Those above 50MW are the responsibility of the
Independent Planning Commission under the Electricity Act. TAN8 provides details of ‘Strategic
Search Areas, (SSAs), sites identified as suitable and potential locations for large scale wind.
TAN8 states that ‘outside of SSAs wind farms are allowed up to 25MW capacity on urban brown
field sites and generally less than 5MW elsewhere’.
Wind farms, by nature, are most usually situated in rural settings away from residential
development and where the wind resource is least constrained. This can mean that there is often
no opportunity to utilise on-site the outputs from wind farms leaving export of electricity to grid as
the only option.
Typology
The following wind turbine typology was used in the study, since this is considered to represent a
typical current onshore wind turbine:
Rated output: 2MW
Hub height: 80m
Rotor diameter: 80m
Height to blade tip at the highest point (“tip height”): 120m
Average density of 5 turbines per 1km2
16
http://gov.wales/topics/planning/policy/guidanceandleaflets/toolkit-for-planners/?lang=en
Page 19 of 62Average Annual Wind Speed
Average Annual Wind Speed (AAWS) has been estimated for each 1km2 across the
UK, using an air flow model which estimates the effects of topography on wind speed. This
archived database is available from the DECC website and has been mapped for Wrexham see
Figure 4.1 below.
There is no established guidance on minimum AAWS for locating wind farms, but the standard
industry approach is to look for a minimum AAWS of 6m/s at 45m above ground level, and ideally
in excess of 6.5m/s. Accordingly, grid cells with an AAWS of less than 6m/s, between 6m/s and
6.5m/s, and greater than 6.5m/s, have been classified as ‘low’, ‘moderate’ and ‘high’ wind speed
areas respectively. In order to conform to current industry practice for the chosen turbine typology,
it has been assumed that areas with low AAWS have no wind potential for the purposes of this
study.
Fig 4.1: Wind Constraints Map Average Annual Wind speed Low/Moderate/High
Constraint Mapping
Statutory Designations Environmental & Heritage
Wind turbines may be restricted by nearby Statutory Designations which might lead to the refusal
of planning consent. These constraints have been mapped accordingly and it has been assumed
that there is no strategic scale potential for wind power development in areas where the following
are present:
Special Protection Area (SPA)
Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
RAMSAR sites
National Nature Reserves (NNR)
Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)
Scheduled Ancient Monuments (SAM)
Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) plus a 7km buffer
World Heritage site and Buffer
Historic Landscapes
Page 20 of 62Non-Statutory Designations
There are some significant areas of constraint associated with non-statutory designations
including;
Special Landscape Areas (as reviewed for the LDP)
Green Wedges (as reviewed for the LDP)
Transport Infrastructure & Other Physical Constraints
Noise Buffer for Existing Residential Development
Aviation & Radar Constraints
Other constraints (woodland, water, quarries)
Transport Infrastructure & Other Physical Constraints
To minimise disruption and potential incidents in the unlikely event that a wind turbine should
‘topple’, a minimum ‘exclusion zone’ is necessary around key transport infrastructure known as a
‘topple distance’ (i.e. the hub height plus rotor radius, equal to 120m) of 170m around Principal
transport networks and 132m around secondary transport networks.
Noise Buffer for Existing Residential Development
The location of turbines is further restricted by the potential impact associated with the noise they
generate; both aerodynamic noise from the blades moving through the air and mechanical noise
from the gear box within the hub. In order to mitigate the potential noise impact of wind turbines, a
‘noise buffer’ has been applied around all existing dwellings. An exclusion zone of 500 metres has
been utilised, in line with typical industry practice. These are mapped in Figure 4.2 below.
Fig 4.2: Residential Buffer Constraint
Existing Aviation & Radar Constraints
Larger wind turbines can cause interference with radar systems and also represent obstructions to
low flying aircraft. The following constraints were mapped (where applicable):
Controlled airspace (including military aircraft low flying zones, or Tactical Training Areas).
UK aerodrome traffic zones (ATZ)
Military aerodrome traffic zones (MATZ)
High intensity radio transmission areas
Page 21 of 62 Aerodromes with instant approach procedures outside controlled airspace
Potential interference with National Air Traffic Service/NATS En Route Plc (NERL) radar
infrastructure
Figure 4.3 Radar Constraint
While radar provides a constraint and a planning application would require consultation with the
relevant body this does not on its own preclude the potential for development.
Bringing these constraints maps together enables us to identify constraint free wind resources
which have been mapped in Figure 4.4 below. Note that only areas of 0.5km2 or more (i.e. able to
accommodate 5MW of turbines) have been mapped, slithers and small parcels of land have been
excluded;
Fig 4.4; Least Constrained Wind Resource (After Statutory and Non-Statutory Buffers
Applied)
Page 22 of 62Cumulative Visual and Landscape Impact
In reality harnessing all of that energy may cause significant cumulative visual and landscape
impact. This potential impact needs to be considered as a further constraint and the potential
resource revised accordingly. Welsh Government guidance proposes using a 7km separation
distance between wind farms (the rationale being that beyond this distance, turbines do not
appear dominant in the landscape). Given that the identified areas are all within close proximity to
each other it is unlikely that all of the identified resource could be harnessed without having a
negative impact on the landscape.
Fig 4.5: 7km visual buffer around principal resource
Consequently the map of least constrained resource is in Fig 4.6 below;
Figure 4.6: Unconstrained Wind Resource Map
Page 23 of 62Wind Resource Priority
The ‘Planning for Renewable Energy’ toolkit suggests that the unconstrained wind resource is
prioritised according to the following categories;
Table 4.1: Wind Resource Priority
Wind Resource Priority Average Annual Potential disruption to
Wind Speed the NATS
Priority 1 High [>6.5m/s] Low
Priority 2 Moderate [6.0-6.5m/s] Low
The amount of resource available is detailed in table 4.2 below;
Table 4.2: Wind Resources by Area
Wind Priority Least constrained Area
Resource 1 or 2 ha km2
1 1 85 0.85
2 1 62 0.62
3 1 27 0.27
Total 1 174 1.74
Total 2 0 0
Figure 4.5 above identifies land which is presently least constrained and potentially available for
wind power development, broken down into categories of wind speed. It is possible to fit five 2MW
turbines into 1km2, which equates to a potential installed capacity of 10MW/km2. However, this
figure represents the maximum power output that turbines could produce, in reality, a turbine will
often be generating at less than maximum energy, or sometimes no energy at all (for instance on
a very calm day). To estimate a more realistic potential annual energy output in these areas an
assumed capacity factor of 0.27 (27%) has been applied in line with advice in the Toolkit. The
potential capacity for each priority area is presented in table 4.3 below. The identification of the
area of unconstrained wind resource was used to convert to potential for installed generating
capacity [in MW], and a potential annual energy output [in MWh]. The installed capacity figure
represents the maximum accessible wind resource in the Wrexham County Borough area when
taking into account the cumulative visual and landscape impacts.
Table 4.3: Total (Subject to Grid Connection and Capacity)
Wind Resource Unconstrained Max Installed Potential energy
Priority Area (km2) Capacity generated (MWh)
Priority 1 1.74 16MW 37,843
Priority 2 0 0 0
Total 1.74 16MW 37,843
Capacity of Electricity Grid Connection
Wind energy sites, by nature, are most usually situated in rural settings away from residential
development and where the wind resource is least constrained. This can mean that there is often
no opportunity to utilise on-site the outputs from wind energy sites leaving export of electricity to
the grid as the only option. The REA toolkit states17 that Local Authorities may wish to undertake
further assessments outside of the scope of the toolkit including an assessment of grid capacity.
17
Section E1.3
Page 24 of 62SP Networks (the local grid network provider) confirm that connection of wind generating capacity
of between 5MW and 25MW would require connection to at least the 33kv network. It is also
unlikely that connections in excess of 10km to a sub-station or line would be considered by
developers18. The choice of route for connections is a complex technical matter beyond what is
required for this level of assessment, therefore a simple 10km buffer has been used around 33kv
lines and substations to screen out areas beyond practical grid connection. However connection
routes that would require crossing major obstacles (over difficult topography, out of valleys over
ridgelines into adjacent valleys, rivers, main roads/railways etc.) have also been discounted.
The constraint analysis detailed above identifies potential resources within the Ceiriog valley,
however SP Networks confirm that this area is served only by 11kv distribution lines and state that
the grid in the Ceiriog is severely constrained and a local connection is highly unlikely without
extensive reinforcement works. With no plans to re-inforce the network in this area and the nearest
33kv connection over 10km away it is not considered that there is electricity grid capacity in this
area for a wind local search area. Furthermore, the small scale of resource (16MW) will impact on
the viability of a potential scheme to overcome these constraints.
The maps below detail the capacity of the local grid serving the two largest wind resource areas in
the Ceiriog. Neither of which have capacity without extensive reinforcement works. While detailed
technical and viability evaluation may be able to address these concerns for the purposes of a
strategic assessment these constraints are considered sufficient to dismiss wind from further
promotion.
Fig 4.7: SP Network Distributed Generation Capacity Heat Map
The identified resources are marked with blue stars with a 10km radius centred around them. The
SP 33kv grids are identified in red and clearly show that 33kv capacity is not available within 10km
of the wind resources.
18
Facilitating Planning for Renewable Energy in Wales: Meeting the Target, Arup Final Report 2004
http://gov.wales/topics/planning/planningresearch/publishedresearch/meetingtarget/?lang=en
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