2 NEED FOR THE PROJECT


2.1 Introduction 1.


The UK requires a range of energy infrastructure in order to ensure the UK has secure, clean and affordable energy supply. Renewable energy offers the UK a wide range of benefits from an economic growth, energy security and climate change perspective. The proposed East Anglia THREE project would make a contribution to this.


2.


This chapter presents a summary of the need for renewable energy and the main energy, climate change and sustainability policy objectives and targets, nationally and internationally, which are currently shaping the offshore wind energy industry in the UK. Further detail on these targets and the policy and legislation designed to implement them are discussed in Chapter 3 Policy and Legislative Context.


2.2 The Need for Renewable Energy 3.


There are four key drivers for the shift in energy production to renewable sources in the UK and these form the basis for the relevant National Policy Statements (NPSs) which cover energy policy. The NPSs and supporting legislation are discussed in Chapter 3 Policy and Legislative Context.


2.2.1 The Need to Secure Energy Supply 4.


The UK is a net energy importer, which places both a financial risk and demand risk on global energy resources. As well as this, around 25% of the existing electricity generating capacity of the UK will also be lost by 2018 through scheduled power station closures (HM Government 2009, see chapter 3, page 73).


5.


Without action the UK will become more reliant on imported energy sources and would be increasingly exposed to global energy price fluctuations (HM Government 2009, see chapter 1, page 28).


2.2.2 The Need to Tackle Climate Change 6.


Studies suggest that if the current levels of global emissions of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide continue, there could be an average global temperature rise of up to 6°C by the end of this century (DECC 2011a). To drive the transition needed to achieve a sustainable position, the UK has put in place a legally binding framework to cut emissions by 80% by 2050. The framework is designed to deliver emission reductions through a system of five year carbon budgets (DECC 2011a).


Preliminary Environmental Information May 2014


East Anglia THREE Offshore Windfarm


Chapter 2 Need for the Project Page 1


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