18.


The UK is legally committed to meeting 15% of the country’s energy demand from renewable sources by 2020 as set in the 2009 Renewable Energy Directive (2009/28/EC). Furthermore in the UK Renewable Energy Roadmap the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC 2011) set out how “renewables will be a key part of the decarbonisation of the energy sector necessary by 2030” and indicate that there is scope for renewable energy to reach 30 - 45% of all energy consumed in the UK by this date.


19. Meeting these targets will help to achieve the UK’s energy security and carbon reduction objectives. There is a clear national policy need for the project as set out in the Overarching National Policy Statement for Energy (EN-1). EN-1 Paragraph 2.2.20 states that “it is critical that the UK continues to have secure and reliable supplies of electricity as we make the transition to a low carbon economy. To manage the risks to achieving security of supply we need:


 


Sufficient electricity capacity (including a greater proportion of low carbon generation) to meet demand at all times.


A diverse mix of technologies and fuels, so that we do not rely on any one technology or fuel. Diversity can be achieved through the use of different technologies and multiple supply routes.”


20.


In addition, EN-1 Paragraph 3.3.4 outlines the importance of having a diverse mix of power generation and that “renewables offer a low carbon and proven (for example, onshore and offshore wind) fuel source.”


21.


The East Anglia Zone including East Anglia THREE would make a significant contribution both to the achievement of these UK targets and to the global responsibility towards mitigating climate change.


1.5 EIA, PEIR and the ES 22.


Wind energy has an important potential in carbon emissions reduction and has a relatively low environmental impact in comparison with other technologies (IPCC 2011). However, as with all industrial activities, wind energy can have negative impacts upon the environment. EIA is a procedure required under the terms of European Union Directive 85/337/EEC (as amended by Directive 97/11/EC), on assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment. It has been transposed into English law for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) by The Infrastructure Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2009.


Preliminary Environmental Information May 2014


East Anglia THREE Offshore Windfarm


Chapter 1 Introduction Page 4


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