Advice to Pegasus Group
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- From
- Pegasus Group
- Date advice given
- 21 March 2016
- Enquiry type
I write to seek clarification with regards the NSIP thresholds with regards energy projects.
From the Planning Act 2008 (as amended) and NPS EN-1 it reads that the 50MW threshold relates solely to the potential electricity output of a scheme. Could you confirm (or advise otherwise) if this is the case where a generating station may provide both electricity and heat output, i.e. that the 50MW threshold relates solely to the electricity output of the project and not the combined MW output of both the electricity and heat output? Assuming this is correct, then the heat output would be viewed as ancillary and not included within the 50MW threshold for determining an NSIP.
Advice given
As per section 15 (2) of the Planning Act 2008 ("The Act") a generating station would be considered a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) if the following criteria is met; (a) it is in England or Wales, (b) it is not an offshore generating station, and (c ) its capacity is more than 50 megawatts. Our understanding is that "capacity" has the same meaning as in the Electricity Act 1989 - namely electricity generating capacity. If you would like to provide us with any project specifics we would be happy to advise further.