Reform of Renewables Planning Policy in Northern Ireland

The Northern Ireland Department of the Environment has proposed reforms to their planning policy on renewable energy (PPS18).  In its response Northern Ireland Environmental Services Association (NIESA) raised concern with the Department’s implication that only developments defined as renewable energy under the Renewable Obligation should be considered as renewable energy within the context of its planning policy statement and this could discriminate against technologies that could significantly contribute towards Northern Ireland’s carbon reduction targets.

NIESA noted that whilst conventional Energy from Waste (EfW) may not be eligible for Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROCs), the biomass fraction of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) used in conventional EfW was recognised as a renewable resource by the EU Renewables Directive and is reported to the European Commission as part of the UK’s renewable generation. NIESA has argued that Northern Ireland’s PPS18 should adopt a technology neutral approach.

ENDS