Vattenfall Wind Power Ltd Thanet Extension Offshore Wind Farm Environmental Statement Volume 1 Chapter 2: Policy and Legislation June 2018, Revision A Document Reference: 6.1.2 Pursuant to: APFP Reg. 5(2)(a) Vattenfall Wind Power Ltd Policy and Legislation – Document Ref: 6.1.2 Copyright © 2018 Vattenfall Wind Power Ltd Vattenfall Wind Power Ltd All pre-existing rights retained Thanet Extension Offshore Wind Farm Volume 1 Chapter 2: Policy and Legislation June 2018 Drafted By: GoBe Consultants Ltd Approved By: Helen Jameson Date of Approval June 2018 Revision A Vattenfall UK First Floor 1 Tudor Street London EC4Y 0AH T +44 207 451 1150 www.vattenfall.co.uk ii Vattenfall Wind Power Ltd Policy and Legislation – Document Ref: 6.1.2 Table of Contents 2 Policy and Legislation ....................................................................................................................... 2-1 2.1 Introduction................................................................................................................................2-1 2.2 Renewable Energy Policy and the Role of Renewable Sources of Energy .................................2-1 International Obligations on Climate Change and Reducing Carbon Emissions...................................2-1 UK Climate Change and Energy Legislation and Policy .........................................................................2-2 2.3 Consents Framework..................................................................................................................2-3 Planning Act 2008 ..................................................................................................................................2-3 Marine Licence and the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 .............................................................2-4 The Localism Act 2011 ...........................................................................................................................2-5 Growth and Infrastructure Act 2013 .....................................................................................................2-5 The Infrastructure Act 2015 ..................................................................................................................2-5 Housing and Planning Act 2016 ............................................................................................................2-5 2.4 Other Relevant Legislation .........................................................................................................2-5 EIA Directive ..........................................................................................................................................2-5 EIA Regulations 2017 .............................................................................................................................2-6 The Habitats Directive ........................................................................................................................ 2-13 European Protected Species (EPS) licence ......................................................................................... 2-14 Energy Act 2004 – Decommissioning ................................................................................................. 2-14 2.5 Relevant Policy ........................................................................................................................ 2-15 National Policy Statements ................................................................................................................ 2-15 Marine Policy Statement and Marine Plans ....................................................................................... 2-15 Planning Policy ................................................................................................................................... 2-15 2.6 Guidance and Best Practice ..................................................................................................... 2-16 2.7 References ............................................................................................................................... 2-18 Figure 2.1: Graphical representation of the DCO application process with associated timescales. ........2-4 iii Vattenfall Wind Power Ltd Policy and Legislation – Document Ref: 6.1.2 2 Policy and Legislation 2020 Targets 2.2.6 At a European level, the European Parliament and Council agreed a climate and energy 2.1 Introduction package known as the 20-20-20 targets in 2008. The targets to be achieved by 2020 include: 2.1.1 This chapter outlines the consents framework and the key legislation and policies that have been, and will continue to be, considered for the development of Thanet • A reduction in European Union (EU) greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of at least 20% Extension Offshore Wind Farm (Thanet Extension), alongside the Environmental Impact below 1990 levels; assessment (EIA) process. • 20% of EU energy consumption to come from renewable energy sources; and 2.2 Renewable Energy Policy and the Role of Renewable Sources of Energy • A 20% reduction in primary energy use compared with projected levels, to be achieved 2.2.1 The ‘Meeting the Energy Challenge white paper’ (DTI, 2007) published by the former by improvements in energy efficiency. Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) – now the Department for Business, Enterprise and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), described two 2.2.7 In order to meet these aggressive targets, the EU introduced Directive 2009/28/EC on long-term challenges for the UK: the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources (the Renewable Energy Directive). Article 3 and Annex I of this Directive set out the mandatory national targets • Tackling climate change by reducing carbon dioxide emissions both within the UK and for individual Member States to meet by 2020. As part of this, the United Kingdom (UK) abroad; and is subject to a mandatory national target of deriving 15% of gross final energy consumption from renewable sources by 2020. • Ensuring secure, clean and affordable energy. 2030 Targets International Obligations on Climate Change and Reducing Carbon Emissions • In October 2014, EU countries agreed on a 2030 framework for climate and energy, Conference of the Parties 21 (2015 Paris Climate Conference) which included targets and policy objectives for the period between 2020 and 2030. The targets to be achieved by 2030 include: 2.2.2 The United Nations Framework on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was adopted at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992, as an international response to climate change. The framework • A 40% cut in greenhouse gas emissions compared to 1990 levels; sought to stabilise atmospheric GHG concentrations. • At least a 27% share of renewable energy consumption; and 2.2.3 Annual Conference of the Parties (COP) is held to review the Conventions Implementation. There is a membership of 195 parties at the time of writing. • At least 27% energy savings compared with the business-as-usual scenario. 2.2.4 In 2015, COP21 was held in Paris. The conference negotiated a global Agreement with 2.2.8 To meet the targets, the European Commission has proposed: the key goal of limiting increases of global temperatures to “well below 2°C compared to pre-industrial levels”. The parties will also “pursue efforts to” limit the temperature • A reformed EU emissions trading scheme; increase to 1.5°C. This was the first agreement for a binding and universal agreement on climate from all the parties/ world nations. • New indicators for the competitiveness and security of the energy system, such as price differences with major trading partners, diversification of supply, and interconnection 2.2.5 The agreement becomes legal binding when 55 parties, who produce over 55% of the capacity between EU countries; and world’s GHG, ratify the Agreement. On 5th October 2016, the threshold for entry into force for the Paris Agreement was achieved and entered into force on 4th November • First ideas on a new governance system based on national plans for competitive, 2016. secure, and sustainable energy. These plans will follow a common EU approach. They will ensure stronger investor capacity, greater transparency, enhanced policy coherence and improved co-ordination across the EU. 2-1 Vattenfall Wind Power Ltd Policy and Legislation – Document Ref: 6.1.2 2.2.9 In order to meet these targets, the Commission published a proposal for a revised 2.2.14 The EMR sets out the framework for replacing Renewables Obligation Certificates Renewable Energy Directive on 30th November 2016. (ROCs) with Contracts for Difference (CfD) to provide stable financial incentives to encourage investment in low carbon electricity generation. CfDs are private contracts Brexit between a low carbon electricity generator and the UK Government owned Low Carbon Contracts Company (LCCC). Under a CfD, the electricity generating party is paid the 2.2.10 Following the UK referendum in 2016, which saw the UK voting to leave the EU, it is difference between the strike price (the price for electricity reflecting the cost of anticipated that the UK will leave the EU in 2019 with a period of transition that is yet investment in low carbon technology) and the reference price (a measure of the to be determined. It is anticipated that the UK will remain subject to certain EU level average market price for electricity in the Great Britain market). targets, and furthermore the UK’s own climate change targets as captured within inter alia the Climate Change Act 2008. 2.2.15 The aim of CfDs is