Forum for Renewable Energy Development in Scotland
Minutes of the 10th meeting held on Monday 10th December 2007, at Meridian Court, Glasgow.
Present:
Jim Mather (Chair), Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism
Keith MacLean, Scottish and Southern Energy
Keith Anderson, Scottish Power
Elaine Hanton, Highlands and Islands Enterprise
Richard Yemm, Ocean Power Delivery
Jeremy Sainsbury, Natural Power Consultants
Ian Bryden, University of Edinburgh
Paul Lewis, Scottish Enterprise
Duarte Figueira, BERR
Allan McAskill, Talisman Energy (UK)
John Robertson, BiFab
Colin Hood, SSE
Rob Forrest, Green Power
In attendance:
Graeme Dickson (Scottish Government)
Jane Morgan (Scottish Government)
Sue Kearns (Scottish Government)
Colin Imrie (Scottish Government)
Graeme Purves (Scottish Government)
James Thomson (Scottish Government)
Apologies:
Stephen Boyd (STUC)
Donald Workman (The Royal Bank of Scotland)
George Du-Pont Roc (ITI Energy)
AGENDA ITEM 1 - WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS
1. The Minister welcomed members to the 10th meeting of FREDS. He noted this was the first FREDS meeting chaired by him.
AGENDA ITEM 2 - RENEWABLE HEAT SUB GROUP
2. Jason Ormiston presented the main conclusions of the Renewable Heat Sub Group which is due early 2008. He explained the report will have five key goals and 14 recommendations focussing on providing a renewable heat strategy for Scotland, targets for heat production and financial measures. There was a discussion on best practice examples and what can be learned from other countries. The Minister highlighted the significance of renewable heat, congratulated the subgroup on their efforts, and emphasised the need to continue to create partnerships to maintain momentum.
AGENDA ITEM 3 - PLANNING DISCUSSION
• National Planning Framework
3. Graeme Purves provided a progress update on the national planning framework. A draft document will be published in early 2008 with Parliamentary scrutiny later in the year. Final publication is expected late 2008. There was a discussion around what category renewable projects would fall into. Individual renewable generation developments would not be expected to be significant enough to be classified as strategic: most are expected to fall into the "major development" category.
• Consents Sub Group
4. Keith MacLean outlined the work of the sub group. Key recommendations the group were making included: ensuring more consistency between the planning regime, including the National Planning Framework, and the consents regime under the Electricity Act; finding ways to shorten the time taken to handle applications (he welcomed the Ministers announcement of a 9 months target time for new applications); and removing the various barriers which tended to lengthen rather than shorten handling times. The final report would be submitted and circulated to Members after the meeting.
5. During the discussion it was emphasised that the end date of the Renewables Obligation is having an effect on small developer Keith also drew the group's attention to Electricity Act legislative changes by Westminster and the potential effect this could have on devolved legislation.
Action - Officials to examine potential for devolving s 36 and s37 Electricity Act legislation.
• Streamlining the applications process
6. The Minister made a presentation on proposals to streamline the consents process. He emphasised these actions did not require legislative changes and would involve: introducing a target time for new applications; providing revised scoping guidance to encourage higher quality in applications, undertaking ongoing monitoring of applications, and restricting the scope of PLI's where necessary. We would however be looking at how to encourage Westminster to devolve responsibility for electricity consents as outlined above.
7. Colin Imrie said revised scoping guidance and timescales would be issued on 11 December. The Minister suggested that we look at how to limit the variation between different cases based on an analysis of previous practice.
Action - Officials to examine past practice and consider how a greater emphasis on pre application quality can reduce variation.
ITEM 4 - HYDRO SUB GROUP
8. Rob Forrest outlined the work of the sub group. The group is undertaking work in a number of areas including completing a hydro resource study and examining the opportunities and benefits available to developers. The group is also examining what constraints the sector is facing.
9. Rob said the group were examining the argument to raise the S36 threshold for hydro developments and possible future changes to the Renewables Obligation.
10. The group is expected to produce its hydro resource study by end of March 2008 and a final FREDS report during summer 2008.
ITEM 5 - EU NETWORK
11. Colin Imrie presented the renewed focus of the sub group. The group aims to promote Scottish energy interests within the EU. He outlined the group's objectives and milestones including presence at the EU Sustainable Energy week and taking forward the proposal for a Green Energy Research Centre in Scotland. The Minister said he had already met senior EU Commission officials including Alfonso Gonzalez Finat.
ITEM 6 - BEATRICE WIND FARM PRESENTATION
12. Allan McAskill and David Robertson did a presentation on Beatrice wind farm progress and manufacturing opportunities for offshore wind. They focussed on the potential for jacket manufacture and construction in Scotland.
The Minister departed at this point for another engagement.
ITEM 7 - OPEN DISCUSSION AND FREDS GOING FORWARD
13. Graeme Dickson and Jane Morgan asked group members for views on how FREDS should be developed in terms of membership, frequency of meeting and remit. There was agreement that the general approach of FREDS was useful, and consensus that FREDS should meet more often and at regular intervals. Three times per year was agreed upon. There was also agreement that FREDS should not replicate work being done by other groups, including at a UK level. There was discussion over including other green energy sectors, such as carbon capture and storage, within FREDS remit, and this was agreed. Officials agreed to review current FREDS workgroups and contact members in New Year to seek further views.
Action - Officials to arrange event with FREDS members to discuss group development
ITEM 8 - AOB
Action - Next FREDS meeting to be arranged for March 2008.