Or will it soon be full gas-stream ahead?
The Government blocks shale gas schemes elsewhere – but backs exploration in Dunsfold
A view on the Dunsfold gas debacle from a local.
Oh dear! Someone has upset UK Oil & Gas – poor things!
The Government’s Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) is due to respond to its consultation (which closed on 29 November) on updates to national policy statements (NPSs) for major energy infrastructure projects. However too late for Dunsfold?
Following the Secretary of State’s decision to drill on land in Dunsfold on the Loxley Field – exploration is expected to start soon.
This includes those relating to fossil fuels; renewable energy; oil and gas supply and storage; and electricity networks; as well as an overarching energy NPS.
A spokesperson for BEIS said that having committed in April’s British Energy Security Strategy to improve the energy planning system, the government will publish a revised energy National Policy Statement
“as soon as possible”.
BEIS was asked to confirm how it would take forward the pledges in the energy security strategy, including plans to speed up consent times for offshore wind projects “from up to four years down to one year” and to provide a “fast-track” consenting route for priority offshore wind projects.
The government says it will consult on amending planning rules for ground-mounted solar energy generation to “strengthen policy in favour of development” on non-protected land and promise a “radically simplified planning process” for installing rooftop solar panels. The spokesperson said that the offshore wind changes are “all being taken forward now”.
However, the spokesperson said that BEIS “cannot be specific on the timetable for tabling amendments to legislation, as this is itself dependent on the legislative timetable”
“Other measures such as the consultation on solar are being taken forward as a priority and will be delivered this year”, they added.