PAPER D
ENVIRONMENT AND TRANSPORT SELECT COMMITTEE - 26 SEPTEMBER 2001
A COMMUNITY RENEWABLE ENERGY STRATEGY FOR THE ISLE OF WIGHT
REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENT SERVICES
To update Members on the progress of the Altener Project and the Island's participation in the Windpower on Island's study tour and conference which took place on the island of Gotland, Sweden between 13-15 September 2001.
BACKGROUND
Because of international agreements aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions the EC and the UK government have agreed a target of achieving 10% renewable energy electricity generation by the year 2020. However, based on widesrpead consultation the South East Renewable Energy Study has recommend a revised target of 6.6% by 2010 for our region, but this has not yet been accepted by the Government Office of the South East.
However, there is little doubt that the increasing impacts of climate change and the current critical situation relating to energy supply security require that each community should seek to generate as much 'home grown' energy as possible. The local supply of energy can also contribute to improving the local economy. Equally, consideration must be given to local cultural and environmental impacts. Therefore it is crucially important that local communities are actively involved in developing the social economic and environmental framework within which renewable energy production can take place.
Altener
The Altener project is managed by DG XVII, the European Commission's Directorate-General for Energy, runs for five years, from January 1998 until December 2002.
Its main role is to help create an appropriate environment for the European Community Strategy and Action Plan for renewable energy sources. The programme also encourages both private and public investment in the production and use of renewable energy.
The Isle of Wight is included in the part of the programme dealing with Islands called "Integrated Renewable Energy Systems for Small Islands" (IRESSI). The project is 50% funded by the EC, which aims to promote the wide-scale implementation of renewable energy in Europe. The signed up partners to the IRESSI project are:
The local launch of the Altener project took place at St George's Park Newport and over 80 people attended. Currently the Project Co-ordinator, Stephen Ward, (Intermediate Technology Consultants) is analysing the Island's renewable energy potential and will be reporting his findings during the Autumn. His report will be circulated to all those who participated in the launch and to anyone else who expresses an interest.
In February 2002, a facilitated workshop will be held involving the key players within the Isle of Wight community, aimed at identifying the vision and draft Action Plan for a Community Renewable Energy Strategy. It is anticipated that the Action Plan will take the form of identified projects which could be progressed by attracting government and other funds which are currently available to encourage partnership working in achieving the renewables targets.
The Windpower on Island's study tour and conference Gotland, Sweden, 13-15 September 2001
This event was attended by 85 delegates from Sweden, Germany, Denmark, England, Scotland and Ireland. The Isle of Wight was represented by Cllr Brenda Lawson who was supported by Angela Mawle the Agenda 21 & Health Alliance Officer.
The conference was aimed at the exchange of experience and information between Islands in respect of the use of wind generated energy and explored the following issues :
Acceptance of Wind Turbines - conflicts, attitudes, solutions, strategies to avoid conflicts
Grid integration - new technology and its application
Export - grid connection to mainland, limits and new solutions
Economics - consequences for the islands economies
Planning - planning strategies for islands
Environmental impact - examples, current knowledge
Delegates were able to experience the impacts of wind turbines at first hand during the study tour by visiting offshore and onshore wind farms.
OPTIONS
Members are invited to consider the following options :
(i) establish a Member Task Group/Working Party to work with officers and community representatives to develop the Island Community Renewable Energy Strategy
(ii) undertake fact-finding site visits to view working examples of renewable energy production (wind turbines, biomass plants etc.)
BACKGROUND PAPERS
Altener Project Papers
South East Renewable Energy Study
Windpower on Islands Conference Papers
Contact Point : Angela Mawle 535405
DAVID JAGGAR
Director of Environment Services