Legal specialists at Pinsent Masons claim that, while the UK renewables industry would have the opportunity to radically overhaul regulation, the political will to deliver green power could suffer through the replacement of legally-binding targets in favour of a carbon-free economy.

Pinsent Masons planning specialist Jennifer Ballantyn highlights that, in the present climate, concerns exist over apparent ”politically-motivated” decisions to designate environmentally-protected areas in locations suitable for onshore or offshore wind farms. Conversely, Ballantyn says that EU targets help to ”focus minds” and a UK departure could remove the incentive for the low-carbon agenda.

Layer of constraints

“The bad is that some segments of the market – for instance onshore and offshore wind – are over-regulated,” Ballantyn said “The EU imposes particular requirements which means the development process needs to be conducted in a particular way and a layer of constraints and extra costs are introduced.

“Forward-thinking developers may already be reviewing their thinking around areas currently designated or proposed for designation as having EU protection on environmental grounds. If there is a relaxation at a UK level, that could be both commercially significant and controversial.

“On the other hand, the good in the UK’s relationship with Europe is that there are EU targets for reducing dependency on carbon-based energy. These are legally binding in a way that the likes of the Kyoto and Paris agreements are not, and Member States can be fined if they come up short.

“It’s a huge paradox that Brexit could result in a system where it is easier to develop renewables infrastructure in the UK, but no strong incentive to make it happen.”

State Aid rules

Pinsent Masons also highlights that the removal of restrictive State Aid rules could have a significant impact on the industry, while a new trade relationship could transform the profile of players in the UK wind sector.

Gary McGovern, a partner at the law firm, added: “There are opportunities. State Aid rules which impose a requirement to maintain a level playing field could be gone. For instance, a live issue currently is whether proposals to allow onshore wind projects on the Scottish Islands to retain access to the Contracts for Difference (CfD) regime would fall foul of state aid rules if at the same time mainland wind projects are excluded.

“On the other hand, it’s striking that much of the current investment and financing for renewables comes from outside the UK, and a significant proportion of the major players in UK renewables are owned by European parents. For those subsidiaries of European businesses, or reliant upon foreign investment, there will be concern over potential trade barriers which could make the UK a less attractive investment proposition.”

Energy security

The news comes less than a week after Energy Secretary Amber Rudd warned that leaving the EU would see energy costs ‘rocket’ by 500m and rock investor confidence.

Rudd gave her support for remaining in a ‘reformed’ EU, in agreement with many other energy and environment ministers, green NGOs and sustainable business groups. Rudd praised the EU for its instrumental efforts in keeping energy bills low, stating that it was necessary to ‘work with our neighbours to deliver energy security in the future’.

However, a number of edie readers subsequently questioned the Energy Secretary’s motivations for backing the ‘in’ campaign, in the comments section of our news story.

edie reader Andy Clarke said:

Richard Phillips said:

Iain Whyte said: 

Brexit: What YOU have to say…

Earlier in the year, we conducted a poll to hear the views of edie readers on the EU Referendum which you can still participate in. Would remaining in the EU “make use stronger, safer and better off”, as Amber Rudd suggests? Or does the UK’s future look “brighter” outside of the EU, as Energy Minister Andrea Leadsom claims?

Cast your vote and let us know your thoughts about this in the comments section below.

George Ogleby

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