| |
Progress against indicators and milestones |
Challenges |
| Market |
White Paper (July 2011) confirmed long-term contracts for low-carbon capacity. |
Needs a clear carbon objective and process to ensure this is delivered. Detailed design issues need to be resolved. |
| Transmission |
Some transmission owner business plans approved by Ofgem, progress on gaining planning approval for some key investments, review of charging system for transmission network completed. |
Still a need for approval of the National Grid business plan and planning approvals for some infrastructure, especially in Wales. |
| Planning |
An increasing stock of onshore wind projects awaiting approval. Declining approval rates.The average time taken for wind projects to be determined to remains high (e.g. up to 55 months for large scale onshore), and well above our indicator and guidance (12 months). |
Deployment is at risk if there is a continuation of the decline in approval rates. |
| Wind |
Total installed capacity broadly in line with our indicators, but with slow progress from approval to commissioning for onshore projects |
Significant acceleration in the pace of investment required in longer-term. Resolution of financial and non-financial uncertainties required in order to translate the strong project pipeline into generation. |
| Nuclear |
Generic Design Assessment received interim approval, final approval expected by end 2012.National Policy Statement for nuclear approved in July 2011.First planning application submitted for approval. |
Successful implementation of the Electricity Market Reform is required for nuclear investment to proceed. |
| CCS |
First competition failed to award funding to projects. Second competition launched in 2012. |
Urgent need to award funding this year to facilitate the first demonstration plant becoming operational as soon as possible (e.g. from 2017). |
