SUMMARY/PURPOSE

1. To agree the Renewable Energy Strategy for the Isle of Wight which is attached to the report. A full copy with appendices has been placed in the Members Room

CONFIDENTIAL/EXEMPT ITEMS

2. There are no confidential or exempt items.

BACKGROUND

3. In 1999 as part of its Climate Change Programme the UK government set a target of meeting 10% of UK electricity supply from renewable sources by the year 2010. Similarly, the EC Campaign for Take Off aims to meet 12% of EU energy demand within the same timescale and has developed the ALTENER programme as a funding stream for supporting member states in achieving this objective. The Ecological Footprint of the Isle of Wight (November 2000) identified energy use as a major contributor to the size of the Footprint (2.5 larger than our current bio-productive land area) and it was decided to seek ALTENER funding to assess the potential of renewable energy resources available on the Island. After successfully accessing such funding the Isle of Wight Council has, since April 2001, been developing a renewable energy strategy for the Island, with technical and research support from Intermediate Technology Consultants Ltd (ITC).

4. The development of the strategy has been in full consultation with the Island’s community. This has involved a major public launch in July 2001, a presentation of the Technical Analysis Report by ITC (detailing resources and technologies available to the Island – see Appendix 1 of the Renewable Energy Strategy) at a highly participatory workshop in March 2002 and a series of 12 community working groups (ranging from 20-35 participants at each) through May, June and July 2002. These events and the RES work in general have received significant media coverage in the local press, radio and on BBC South and hence awareness and understanding has been raised amongst the wider Island community.

5. The community working groups, including officers and members of the Council, have largely focused upon 'Flagship' renewable energy projects identified within the Technical Analysis Report. These are Community Wind; Biomass/CHP; Zero-fossil Energy Build; Biodiesel; Anaerobic Digestion and Marine Current Turbines. The working groups have been highly interactive and as far as possible have included presentations from invited speakers who are experts in the field. The final combined working group met at the end of July to receive and discuss the Cost Benefit Analysis Report prepared by ITC (see Appendix 2 pf the Renewable Energy Strategy) and to make recommendations about RES targets and Flagship Projects which would feed into the Island Renewable Energy Strategy. The recommendations made were based on the premise of community ownership and benefit deriving from any agreed RES target and technology.

6. The draft strategy was considered by the Environment & Transport Committee on 8 October 2002 where it was resolved that: the Executive be recommended to :-

Adopt the principle of the Council achieving 10% of electricity supplies from renewable sources by 2010;

Adopt a sequential approach in relevant planning policies for planning applications received in respect of on shore and off shore wind turbines.

Undertake a consultation exercise involving Cowes Harbour Master, Queens Harbour Master, Associated British Ports, yachting organisations and other interested organisations to gauge opinion on the option of off shore wind turbines.

Approve the draft Renewable Energy Strategy for the Isle of Wight to 2010.

Identify appropriate resource allocation to support its implementation.

STRATEGIC CONTEXT

7. The South East England Regional Assembly’s Strategy for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (SEERE), has a vision for the region of 14% of the region’s electricity generation being produced from renewable energy sources by 2026. It recommends that 4% of the region’s electricity should come from renewables by 2010. A specific target for Hampshire and Isle of Wight is set of 159 MW coming from renewables, of which 67 MW should come from the Isle of Wight.

8. The IWC Unitary Development Plan specifically states "The Council's view is that this plan should reflect a positive approach to harnessing the generating potential from renewable energy sources in an environmentally acceptable way. Of particular concern is the total effect of a number of different proposals on the intimate scale and nature of the Island's landscape, which perhaps makes it unsuitable for extensive schemes. The development itself need not always be large-scale and an adverse impact might be created by the cumulative effect of small-scale developments"

9. The Community Strategy commits to continuing to explore alternative sources of energy through projects such as ALTENER.

10. The Agenda 21 Strategy (December 2000) which was put together in consultation with over 1.700 Island people, identifies sustainable resource management as a key priority. It specifically states that the Island should be "efficient in the use of our energy and where possible use our renewable resources to generate electricity" The associated Action Plan requires "research of the optimal use of the Island's natural and waste resources in the local generation of electricity and identify specific initiatives which will develop the use of this generating capacity" The Agenda 21 Strategy is identified within the Council’s Corporate Plan as a key component of the Council’s strategic priorities, with a specific commitment made to ‘promote alternative and renewable energy initiatives, improve waste management recycling and energy management

CONSULTATION

11. The Strategy has been developed in close consultation with the Island’s community and the organisations within the private public and voluntary sector.

FINANCIAL/BUDGET IMPLICATIONS

12. Opportunities exist to seek significant external funding to support the implementation of the Renewable Energy Strategy and the development of the identified Flagship Projects. However, this will require dedicated officer time and specific budgets to engage appropriate external expertise It is anticipated that the restructuring of the Policy & Communications Unit will release sufficient officer time to achieve the first of these objectives and that a report will be brought before the Executive in January 2003 identifying mechanisms for supporting the implementation of the Renewable Energy Strategy. Any specific proposals involving additional expenditure will be the subject of the normal budget approval process

LEGAL IMPLICATIONS

13. The draft strategy sets a challenging agenda for the Island, the Council and it’s partners. Diverse legal issues will arise during the implementation of the strategy and further detailed advice will be given in that context. The power to adopt a strategy is contained within Part 1 Local Government Act 2000, the exercise of which has to be with regard to the Community Strategy.

OPTIONS

14. To approve the Renewable Energy Strategy for the Isle of Wight

15. To refuse approval

EVALUATION/RISK MANAGEMENT

16. The risk of approval are those related to a failure to secure adequate resources to implement the Strategy

17. The risk of non-approval is:

The alienation of those members of the Island community who worked with the Council to develop the Strategy;

The more ready imposition of regionally agreed RES targets;

A developer led pattern of renewable energy technologies on the Island.

RECOMMENDATIONS

18. That the Executive:

- approve the Renewable Energy Strategy for the Isle of Wight

- Request a report detailing the process of implementation of the Strategy early in the New Year

BACKGROUND PAPERS

These are included as Appendix 1 & 2 of the Renewable Energy Strategy

Appendix 1: The Renewable Energy Strategy for the Isle of Wight

Contact Point : Angela Mawle, Agenda 21 & Health Alliance Officer [email protected]

M J A FISHER

Strategic Director of Corporate and Environment Services

B LAWSON

Portfolio Holder for Agenda 21 and Countryside Matters