Barriers to Commissioning Renewable Energy Projects

Abstract:

This document is the final report for the project titled 'Barriers to Commissioning Renewable Energy Projects'.

In June 2005 Land Use Consultants, in association with IT Power, were commissioned by Future Energy Solutions on behalf of the Renewables Advisory Board (RAB) to undertake research into factors delaying the commissioning of renewable energy projects in the post-planning approval phase. The research will inform future policy and practice necessary to meet the Government's target of 10% of our electricity needs from renewable sources by 2010.

The research focuses on barriers to commissioning onshore wind projects, given the potential for this resource to contribute to meeting the 2010 target. It also addresses offshore wind, biomass and hydro projects.

As per the brief set for the research, the methodology centred on statistical analysis to understand the extent of delays, and consultation with industry representatives to understand the causes of these delays. Twenty-four renewable energy developers and related organisations and eight financial institutions contributed to the research either by returning questionnaires or taking part in telephone interviews or focus groups, during the period June to September 2005. Questionnaire returns represent 58% of total approved megawatts (MW) of renewable energy capacity.

1. Introduction
2. Objectives and methodology
3. Delays in the post-planning period: the scale of the problem
4. Factors delaying commissioning of onshore wind schemes
5. Factors delaying commissioning of offshore wind schemes
6. Factors delaying commissioning of hydro schemes
7. Factors delaying commissioning of biomass schemes
8. Investor feedback summary
9. Future trends & prospects
10. Recommendations

Publication Year:

2005

Publisher:

Department of Trade and Industry

DOI:

No DOI minted

Author(s):

Land Use Consultants IT Power