TY - JOUR

T1 - The case of a proposed 21.5 MWe biomass gasifier in Winkleigh, Devon

T2 - Implications for governance of renewable energy planning

AU - Upham, Paul

AU - Shackley, Simon

PY - 2006/10/1

Y1 - 2006/10/1

N2 - Local opinion of a proposed 21.5 MW(e) bioenergy powerplant in Winkleigh, Devon is strongly negative. A detailed opinion survey has revealed a high level of mistrust of the relevant authorities, particularly the South West Regional Development Agency (SWRDA) that has supported the proposed gasifier through land purchase and payment for several technical studies. This paper documents that mistrust, the circumstances surrounding it and how it has evolved, and makes provisional recommendations for increasing local confidence in renewable energy planning processes. The exercise of particular regional institutional mandates, in the absence of a well-honed mechanism for holding institutions to account, has compounded a cycle of ever-increasing distrust. It is recommended that consideration be given to engaging citizens far more pro-actively in negotiating sub-regional renewable energy strategies, and to extending the scrutiny role of Regional Assemblies to include proposed developments that are, for example, above the significance thresholds of the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations. Extending and deepening public consultation is proposed as a means of facilitating developments that have a higher degree of local acceptance, not as a means of removing objections per se.

AB - Local opinion of a proposed 21.5 MW(e) bioenergy powerplant in Winkleigh, Devon is strongly negative. A detailed opinion survey has revealed a high level of mistrust of the relevant authorities, particularly the South West Regional Development Agency (SWRDA) that has supported the proposed gasifier through land purchase and payment for several technical studies. This paper documents that mistrust, the circumstances surrounding it and how it has evolved, and makes provisional recommendations for increasing local confidence in renewable energy planning processes. The exercise of particular regional institutional mandates, in the absence of a well-honed mechanism for holding institutions to account, has compounded a cycle of ever-increasing distrust. It is recommended that consideration be given to engaging citizens far more pro-actively in negotiating sub-regional renewable energy strategies, and to extending the scrutiny role of Regional Assemblies to include proposed developments that are, for example, above the significance thresholds of the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations. Extending and deepening public consultation is proposed as a means of facilitating developments that have a higher degree of local acceptance, not as a means of removing objections per se.

KW - Energy research

KW - Bioenergy

KW - Public

KW - Planning

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=33646584182&partnerID=8YFLogxK

UR - https://www.mendeley.com/catalogue/0a7f97ab-0b4b-3a7b-adb0-e2024b0751e6/

U2 - 10.1016/j.enpol.2005.04.001

DO - 10.1016/j.enpol.2005.04.001

M3 - Journal articles

AN - SCOPUS:33646584182

VL - 34

SP - 2161

EP - 2172

JO - Energy Policy

JF - Energy Policy

SN - 0301-4215

IS - 15

ER -