Energy Report: missing pieces of the jigsaw

21 January 2003 

CNP [1] welcomes the publication of the Economic Development Committee’s Report on Renewable Energy, which will be debated today [2] by the National Assembly for Wales, but is very disappointed that the Committee has ignored vital pieces of the jigsaw that are fundamental to the special needs of Wales.

CNP congratulates the Committee for wanting to promote renewable energy generation in Wales in a way that is sensitive to place.  It agrees that tourism and areas of environmental importance should not be prejudiced.   

National Parks are priceless assets that belong to the nation as a whole.  This means that the development of renewable energy in National Parks must be done in a special way.  The National Parks already have excellent examples of how renewable energy can be developed in ways that do not destroy our special landscapes.  But unfortunately, the Committee’s Report largely ignores the small scale generation of energy.  CNP would like the Assembly to recognise that the following projects [3], which are all in our National Parks, could contribute enormously to Wales becoming a showcase for renewable energy:  

·         Tidal Power Generation – a groundbreaking project being pioneered by local engineering contractors off the Pembrokeshire Coast.

·         SEED (Sustainable Energy and Environmental Development) – raising the profile of small-scale renewable energy in Pembrokeshire.

·         The Pembrokeshire Biofuel Partnership – a heating conversion feasibility study.

·         Penpont Biomass Project – a feasibility study into energy-generation using local wood.

·         Brecon Beacons Solar Club – the only solar club in Wales that offers grants to householders to install solar panels

·         Idwal Cottage Youth Hostel – a model “green” hostel

Sylvia Davies, CNP’s Senior Policy Officer, said: “Communities and businesses in the National Parks are pioneering renewable energy projects that reflect the value of their special location.  They are small and ‘human’ in scale.  CNP would very much encourage the Assembly to look at both the large and small scales, and to look at the whole of the energy jigsaw together. 

 “A lot of small scale development, where everyone does ‘their bit’, can have a huge impact overall.  The Assembly should help to promote the National Parks and their special landscapes in filling-in the small-scale pieces of the energy jigsaw.”

Notes to Editors

1.              The Council for National Parks is the national charity that works to protect and enhance the National Parks of England and Wales, and areas that merit National Park status, and promote understanding and quiet enjoyment of them for the benefit of all.

2.              The Economic Development Committee’s Report is being debated today, 21 January, by the National Assembly for Wales.

3.              These projects have all been part-funded by the Sustainable Development Fund (SDF).  The SDF was set up by the Welsh Assembly Government and is administered by the three National Parks in Wales to test-bed sustainable development projects in partnership in their localities.

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