Renewable Energy

Planning system change provides ‘remarkable’ step forward for renewables industry

National Planning Framework 4 revised draft welcomed by industry body

A new planning system designed by The Scottish Government has been described as “a remarkable and major step forward” by Scotland’s renewable energy industry.

National Planning Framework 4, a revised draft of which was released this week, seeks to “encourage, promote and facilitate all forms of renewable energy development onshore and offshore”.

This latest revised draft will be considered by the Scottish Parliament, with MSPs set to vote on its adoption before the end of the year.

Mark Richardson, Senior Policy Manager at industry body Scottish Renewables, said that in contrast to previous versions the revised draft “clearly shows how The Scottish Government expects renewable energy developments to be treated by planners across Scotland.”

Mark continued: “Scotland has rightly recognised the emergency facing our climate. We have an ambitious net-zero target and our transition to a clean energy system is well underway.

“To realise a Scotland powered by renewable energy we need to ensure that all levers of government are focused on tackling the climate emergency - this must mean achieving a netzero-driven planning system. The NPF4 planning reforms provide a key opportunity to deliver this ambition.

“The Scottish Government has shown with this revised draft that it has carefully listened to the advice of industry and understood the barriers which for too long have stood in the way of sustainable development which contributes not only to mitigating the effects of climate change but also to the economic prosperity of some of the country’s most remote areas.

“This revised draft clearly shows how The Scottish Government expects renewable energy developments to be treated by planners across Scotland, and is a remarkable and major step forward from the system which exists in Scotland today.”

While welcoming National Planning Framework 4, Scottish Renewables has cautioned against complacency.

Mark added: “Although National Planning Framework 4 provides the framework for development, it is crucial that the planning system is properly resourced so that the increasing number of planning applications which will need to be processed as we move towards a net-zero energy system can be assessed in a timely manner.”

Norwegian Minister of Petroleum and Energy raises Vianode flag at site of new battery materials plant

Norwegian Minister of Petroleum and Energy Terje Aasland recently visited the site of Vianode’s first industrial-scale plant for sustainable battery materials at Herøya Industripark in Norway.

Aasland was welcomed by Vianode’s general manager Stian Madshus, together with representatives from Elkem, Hydro and Altor as well as local government officials, and raised Vianode’s flag at the site.

Vianode, owned by Elkem, Hydro and Altor, produces advanced battery materials with a greener footprint. The company will invest around NOK 2 billion to create new industrial jobs and provide critical battery materials. The investment is an important step towards establishing a complete battery value chain in Norway for the European market.

Through the plans at Herøya, Vianode plans to recruit around 100 new employees, contributing to local value creation and around 300 jobs related to the green transition including ripple effects.

“Today we raise the flag for Vianode and the significance this project can have for industrial development in the Telemark region and the development of new, profitable, green jobs in all of Norway. If we are to succeed – and we are – we have to cooperate well. That is why I am particularly pleased that Elkem, Hydro and Altor are working together on this investment, which is now entering a new phase. We will support the development we see at Herøya and the rest of the country. This government’s goal is clear: Norway shall be an attractive host country for sustainable and profitable activities through the entire battery value chain and