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Development Consents: Guidance Material

Guidance on the Consenting Process for Onshore Generating Stations above 50Mw in England and Wales

Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 is the legislative provision under which development consent is granted by Government for the construction, extension or operation of an onshore electricity generating station whose capacity exceeds (or, when extended, will exceed) 50 Megawatts electrical (MW). Section 36 also applies to proposals for an offshore generating station over 50 MW, although the threshold is reduced to 1 MW for a renewable generating station within UK territorial waters.

The Government’s report on the Energy Review: The Energy Challenge examined the UK’s progress against the medium and long-term goals set out in the Energy White Paper 2003: our energy future - creating a low carbon economy. It identified a number of options for further steps to achieve those goals, amongst them a commitment to publish generic guidance in England and Wales on Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989, including information on co-operation between applicants and the network companies about joining up on applications. This guidance helps to fulfil that remit. It focuses principally on the application of Section 36 onshore and cross-refers to the existing offshore guidance.

• The consenting process for onshore generating stations above 50MW in England and Wales: a guidance note on Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989  (262KB)

  URN 07/1556

• Y broses ganiatau ar gyfer gorsafoedd cynhyrchu ar-y-tir uwchlaw 50 megawat yng nghymru a lloegr: nodyn cyfarwyddyd ar adran 36 deddf trydan 1989  (296KB)
  URN 08/600

The Electricity (Offshore Generating Stations) (Safety Zones) (Application Procedures and Control of Access) Regulations 2007

• The Electricity (Offshore Generating Stations) (Safety Zones) (Application Procedures and Control of Access) Regulations 2007
• Applying for safety zones around offshore renewable energy installations: guidance notes  (94KB)
  URN 07/1133
  

Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations (England and Wales)

• Guidance on the Electricity Works (environmental impact assessment) (England and Wales) regulations 2000  (79KB)

  URN 01/789

• Application to Secretary of State for Trade and Industry for the grant of a necessary electricity Wayleave in England and Wales - Guidance for applicants and landowners and/or occupiers  (306KB)

  URN 02/1642

• Guidance notes: offshore wind farm consents process  (210KB)
  URN 04/1710

Power station proposals: requirement to explore CHP

On 15 December 2006, the DTI (now BERR) issued new Guidance to power station developers to maximise the use of CHP where feasible. In issuing this Guidance the Government is signalling its strong commitment to CHP, whilst recognising that it is up to the market to bring forward the most competitive proposals to help ensure security of supply. For the first time, this Guidance gives developers access to information on regional heat customers through Defra’s interactive heat maps. The Guidance also includes clearer instructions on what information is required from developers. The issuing of this Guidance was a commitment in the 2006 Energy Review and it is accompanied by a Regulatory Impact Assessment.

• Open letter to industry from Lord Truscott in conjunction with publishing Combined Heat and Power (CHP) guidance  (49KB)
• Guidance on background information to accompany notifications under section 14(1) of the Energy Act 1976 and applications under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989: December 2006  (75KB)

  URN 06/2138

• Canllawiau ar yr wybodaeth gefndir sydd i gyd-fynd â Hysbysiadau o dan Adran 14(1) o Ddeddf Ynni 1976 a Cheisiadau o dan Adran 36 o Ddeddf Trydan 1989  (68KB)

  URN 06/2138W

• Revised guidance on information to accompany notifications under section 14(1) of the Energy Act 1976 and applications under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989: Final Regulatory Impact Assessment  (77KB)
  URN 06/2139
• Canllawiau Diwygiedig ar Wybodaeth i Gyd-fynd â Hysbysiadau o dan Adran 14(1) o Ddeddf Ynni 1976 a Cheisiadau o dan Adran 36 o Ddeddf Trydan 1989: Asesiad Effaith Reoliadol Terfynol  (61KB)

  URN 06/2139W

• Guidance on background information to accompany notifications under section14(1) of the Energy Act 1976 and applications under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989  (35KB)

  URN 01/693

• Canllaw ar wybodaeth gefndir iw rhoi gyda hysbysiadau o dan adran 14(1) o ddeddf ynni 1976 a hysbysiadau o dan adran 36 o ddeddf trydan 1989  (31KB)

  URN 01/693W

• Report from the NOREL sub-group established to consider further the interpretation of interference with the use of recognised sea lanes essential to international navigation  (36KB)

  URN 05/2056

• Guidance on Consenting Arrangements in England and Wales for a Pre-Commercial Demonstration Phase for Wave and Tidal Stream Energy Devices (Marine Renewables)  (233KB)
  URN 05/1789

The Electricity Generating Stations and Overhead Lines (Inquiries Procedure) (England and Wales) Rules 2007

• The electricity generating stations and overhead lines (inquiries procedure) (England and Wales) rules 2007: guidance for participants  (133KB)
  URN 07/782
• Rheolau gorsafoedd cynhyrchu trydan a llinellau uwchben (gweithdrefn ymchwiliadau) (Cymru a lloegr) 2007: canllawiau i gyfranogwyr  (172KB)
  URN 07/782W