Protecting Large Scale Existing Renewable Energy Infrastructure

Protecting Large Scale Existing Renewable Energy Infrastructure A. Protection of existing Renewable Energy Infrastructure Large scale renewable energy infrastructure – including but not limited to solar farms, wind turbines, battery storage systems (BESS), grid scale heat networks, farm based bioenergy and anaerobic digestion, green hydrogen production, hydro-energy technologies, bioenergy with carbon capture and storage facilities (BECCS) and associated grid and heat distribution infrastructure, will be safeguarded from development that would compromise their continued operation efficiency, safety, maintenance or future adaptability. Proposals that would result in the partial or complete loss of existing renewable energy infrastructure will only be supported where it is demonstrated that: 1) The infrastructure is no longer operationally required or reasonably capable of continued operation, or 2) Replacement infrastructure of equal or greater capacity is secured and deliverable with an agreed timeframe, or 3) The proposal delivers overriding public benefits that cannot reasonably be achieved without the loss, and appropriate compensatory measures have been secured where feasible and proportionate to offset the loss of renewable energy generation, storage or associated infrastructure capacity. B. Development Affecting the Functionality or Efficiency of Existing Infrastructure Development proposals within or adjacent to safeguarded renewable energy sites must demonstrate that they do not impede operational efficiency including: • Access for maintenance, repowering, and emergency responses • Avoidance of significant adverse impacts on solar generation efficiency, informed by proportionate solar path and shading analysis where relevant • Avoidance of overshadowing of solar arrays where relevant • Wind flow and turbulence impacts on turbines where development is likely to materially affect turbine performance • Safeguarding of grid, cable and heat network corridors • Safeguarding or safety zones for BESS, hydrogen and bioenergy facilities. Where impacts cannot be fully avoided applicants must demonstrate mitigation measures that maintain the infrastructure’s operational performance. C. Co-location, Repowering and Optimisation Proposals for repowering, life extension or capacity enhancement of existing renewable energy infrastructure will be supported in principle subject to environmental, landscape, heritage and amenity considerations. Co-location of complementary technologies (e.g. solar and BESS, wind and BESS, hydrogen electrolysis, agrivoltaics) will be supported where it: • Increases renewable energy output or • Increases system flexibility • Improves land use efficiency • Does not result in unacceptable environmental or amenity impacts D. Grid and Heat Network Infrastructure Existing and consented grid connection infrastructure, including substations, cable routes and overhead lines, will be safeguarded from development that would restrict access, maintenance or future capacity upgrades. Operational maintenance, repair and safety works undertaken by Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) and other licensed operators, where necessary to maintain network resilience, generator availability or safety, will be supported in principle. Where such works result in significant environmental or amenity impacts, operators will be expected to provide appropriate justification and evidence of necessity, and to minimise and mitigate impacts, where reasonably practicable. Development proposals must not prejudice the future expansion of the grid infrastructure required to support renewable energy generation and storage. E. Decommissioning and Restoration Where renewable energy infrastructure is demonstrably no longer viable and no repowering is proposed, a decommissioning and site restoration plan must be submitted and secured by condition or legal agreement. Restoration should prioritise biodiversity enhancement, soil recovery, landscape integration and where appropriate, restoration of agricultural land capability and food production. F . Community Consideration Community benefit measures will be considered where development is of a scale, nature or location that results in significant energy generation, commercial value or local environmental effects. These may include local energy tariffs, community ownership models or educational access. Policy Justification 3.7.4 The policy safeguards the areas existing renewable and low carbon energy infrastructure in line with the NPPF requirement to support renewable energy, strengthen energy security and avoid unnecessary restrictions on existing installations. 3.7.5 Development can adversely affect operational performance through overshadowing, turbulence, restricted access or sterilisation of grid and heat network corridors. Proportionate technical assessment may be required where development is likely to materially affect operational performance. 3.7.6 Repowering and co-location can significantly increase energy output with lower environmental impact than new development. 3.7.7 The policy should be read alongside climate, employment, landscape and biodiversity, green/blue infrastructure and heritage policies which together provide a balanced framework support