Page 1 Climate Change and Renewable Energy Study Blackpool Borough Council FFebruaryebruary 22010010 BLACKPOOL LDF EVIDENCE BASE – SUSTAINABLE ENERGY STUDY |1 Executive Summary SCOPE OF THE STUDY AECOM have been appointed by Blackpool Borough Council to develop an evidence base to inform the development of CO2 reduction and renewable energy policies to be included in the Core Strategy and supporting documents for the authority and to provide wider advice to the Council of the future potential for appropriate energy developments. This study forms an evidence base to support the requirements of the Supplement to PPS1 on Climate Change, which states: “Planning authorities should have an evidence-based understanding of the local feasibility and potential for renewable and low carbon technologies, including micro-generation, to supply new development in their area.” This has been done by developing an understanding of the current situation and expected growth in Blackpool, reviewing policy direction and analysing the area’s energy resource potential. Figure E1: Policy Development Process BLACKPOOL LDF EVIDENCE BASE – SUSTAINABLE ENERGY STUDY |2 POLICY CONTEXT National policy in this area sets out very challenging targets for reduction of CO2 emissions, the accelerated installation of renewable and low carbon technologies and sustainable design of new development. These drivers are reinforced by targets and policy at a regional level, though to some extent regional targets are out-of-date due to recent advances in National policy. The local planning documents and emerging Core Strategy of the LPA provides a useful framework for the implementation of policy relating to building related CO2 emissions. This study is being conducted at a stage where it can directly recommend policy for inclusion in the Core Strategy. Progress of the Blackpool Core Strategy has necessitated the urban focus on the deliverable opportunities and potential of the Blackpool Local Authority Area. However, the study should be considered within the wider context of the Fylde Coast Sub-Region, where there are further renewable energy opportunities. The Fylde Coast Multi-Area Agreement (MAA) emphasises the need to seize the opportunity to create a low carbon economy and use this to help in delivering accelerated economic growth across the sub-region. It will be essential that the potential in terms of other renewable energies are all fully investigated. The Supplement to PPS1 requires LPAs to investigate the potential for the inclusion of renewable and low carbon technologies in their LPA area, and to identify opportunities to exceed LPA area-wide targets on strategic sites where there is good potential for additional CO2 reductions. Therefore LPAs need to both consider policies on an area-wide scale and policies for specific sites where additional opportunities exist for additional CO2 reductions. Over the period of the Core Strategy, expected changes in Building Regulations will significantly decrease CO2 emissions from new development, therefore removing some emphasis in this role from planning authorities. The changes to Building Regulations are likely to create demand for ‘Allowable Solutions’ which involve the development of solutions outside of the site boundary that can further reduce CO2 emissions associated with new development. LPAs are likely to need to play a role in coordinating and delivering effective Allowable Solutions. Planning authorities are also able to influence the improvement of existing buildings, and support the delivery of community-wide and stand- alone renewable and low carbon infrastructure that isn’t related to new development. PHYSICAL CONTEXT: ENERGY DEMAND FROM THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT Current Performance of Existing Buildings To effectively reduce carbon associated with energy use, it is important to firstly understand the current and evolving energy demand profile of the LPA area. The table below compares the average residential electricity and gas demand for the LPA area with the average for the North West and Britain. The following figures also show the spatial distribution of electricity and gas demand. Table E1: Gas and Electricity consumption per residential consumer (DECC, 2006) Blackpool Northwest Great Britain Residential kWh Residential kWh Residential kWh Electricity 4,485 4,279 4,457 Gas 18,373 18,657 18,241 BLACKPOOL LDF EVIDENCE BASE – SUSTAINABLE ENERGY STUDY |3 Figure E2: Electricity Consumption per Household in Blackpool BLACKPOOL LDF EVIDENCE BASE – SUSTAINABLE ENERGY STUDY |4 Figure E3: Gas consumption per household in Blackpool Blackpool has a low carbon profile. The predominant reason for this is the urban nature of the area, with higher proportions of terraced housing and flats, which naturally have lower energy demands. However, the average Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) rating of Blackpool homes is 49, compared to an England average of 46. Whilst dwelling stock in Blackpool is older on average than the UK average, the SAP rating is similar to the UK average. This is due to: The predominance of high density, terraced and semi-detached housing (which has lower heat loss due to adjoining walls between dwellings). This will compensate for the older nature of the buildings and associated low levels of insulation in these properties. A majority of dwellings in Blackpool are connected to mains gas which is a low carbon fuel compared to fuel oil, LPG or coal. There are however a large number of households who do not have central heating (19.5%, 2001 Census, ONS). These households are more likely to use electric heating which is a high carbon fuel. Due to the urban nature of Blackpool, consumption of fuel oil and petroleum products which are high carbon fuels is very low. BLACKPOOL LDF EVIDENCE BASE – SUSTAINABLE ENERGY STUDY |5 Hence there is significant potential to improve existing stock. Possibilities to improve the carbon performance of Existing Homes include: Improved insulation (walls, roof, windows) and reducing draughts (draft excluders). Upgrading of boilers to more efficient condensing types. Fitting more efficient lighting. Installation of micro generation (photovoltaic, solar hot water). Connection to low carbon heat networks. LPAs play a key role in increasing energy efficiency of existing buildings, through coordination and promotion of initiatives. Existing buildings make up the bulk of the future energy demand, and hence efforts must be made to reduce energy demand of existing stock. Existing non-residential buildings often receive less focus than existing homes. LPAs should support initiatives to increase energy efficiency in non-residential buildings in their area, particularly large energy users. The figure below compares the energy demand for residential and non-residential buildings. Figure E4: The electricity and gas demand of the LPA area, showing residential and non-residential breakdown. Future Performance of Existing Buildings As part of this study, the likely increase in energy performance of existing buildings over the period of the emerging Core Strategy is considered. Through both national and local drivers, it is expected that the heat demand of existing buildings will decrease significantly, due to a range of relatively simple and cost-effective measures that can be applied to building structures. However, electricity demand is expected to remain fairly static, if not increasing slightly, due to additional demand from new technologies and appliances. The graph below shows the modelled make-up of energy demand from existing buildings over the period of the Core Strategy. BLACKPOOL LDF EVIDENCE BASE – SUSTAINABLE ENERGY STUDY |6 Figure E5: Expected change in electricity and gas demand over Core Strategy period under ‘business as usual’ energy efficiency measures Energy Demands of New Buildings Significant growth is expected in Blackpool over the period of the Core Strategy. This study has modelled the likely energy demand of new buildings over time to complete an overall profile of evolving energy demand over time. New development will be subject to emerging Building Regulations that are likely to enforce increasing levels of energy efficiency and carbon reduction. The energy demands from new development compared with those of existing buildings are shown in the graph below. BLACKPOOL LDF EVIDENCE BASE – SUSTAINABLE ENERGY STUDY |7 Figure E6: Comparison of energy demand from existing and new buildings(kWh) Key Emerging Considerations for the LPAs An understanding of the current and future energy demand profile of Blackpool highlights a number of considerations for the LPAs: It is important to realise the scale of energy demand in order to both set planning targets and measure planning targets for renewable energy delivery based on a percentage of demand. Current and future energy demands have been calculated in this chapter for use in policy and delivery. The Council plays a key role in increasing energy efficiency of existing buildings. Existing buildings make up the bulk of the future energy demand, and hence efforts must be made to reduce energy demand of existing stock. Existing non-residential buildings often receive less focus than existing homes. The Council should support initiatives to increase energy efficiency in non-residential buildings in their area, particularly large energy users. The capacity of electricity distribution networks should be considered in the planning of large-scale low carbon and renewable electricity proposals. BLACKPOOL LDF