Green energy hit by planning delays

The CBI is warning that uncertainty about planning policy is discouraging major investments that are critical to securing our energy supply and reducing carbon emissions.

Launching its second Climate Change Tracker today, the CBI says little progress has been made in speeding up the planning process over the last six months. This is preventing businesses from investing in new low-carbon energy, such as wind, nuclear and clean coal plants.

The Tracker monitors the progress of the government, companies and consumers towards a low-carbon economy over the last six months. Only four of the CBI's 24 key indicators being measured is on track.

Richard Lambert, CBI Director-General, said: “Massive private sector investment will be required to get our energy system up to scratch and cut carbon emissions, but delays in implementing the Planning Act are threatening the future of these critical energy projects.

“Businesses are not going to commit to building the new wind, nuclear and clean coal power stations that will be needed to keep the lights on if they think the goal posts are going to get shifted further down the line.

“That is why we need the government to publish the long-promised National Policy Statements as soon as possible.”