Planning issues, the availability of finance, grid connection charges and objectors have been identified as main challenges to renewable energy projects in Scotland.
This emerged in a survey out today by law firm Brodies.
The study, carried out with the Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group (AREG), canvassed the opinions of individuals across the Scottish renewables sector on the main issues faced when developing new schemes.
Planning and consent issues were identified as the biggest barrier to new project development by 53% of those who responded to the survey, followed by the availability of finance (29%). Grid connection charges and the objector lobby were ranked the principal barrier by 6% and 5% of respondents respectively.
The survey was sent to a cross-section of more than 1,000 people in the renewables sector, including members of AREG and Scottish Renewables.
Neil Collar, head of planning at Brodies, said there was concern over an apparent disconnect between Scottish Government planning policy, which aims to encourage the development of renewable energy projects, and implementation by some local authorities. The government has set a target of producing the equivalent of 100% of the country’s electricity demand from renewable sources by 2020.
He said: “One of the thrusts of planning reform was to devolve more power to the local level and there are concerns that national planning policy, which is supportive of renewables, is not being implemented in a consistent manner by local authorities. It appears to be the case that this devolution of power has given a louder voice to minority groups who are more likely to be vocal in their opposition to renewables schemes than those who support them.
“This is of concern to developers in the renewables sector, who feel there needs to be greater consistency in the application of national planning policy.”
Keith Patterson, head of Brodies’ projects, energy and infrastructure team, added: “The availability of finance remains a significant barrier.”
Asked which sectors the Green Investment Bank should prioritise, onshore wind was ranked top by 28% of respondents, offshore wind by 26%, tidal by 20% and hydro by 13%.
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