Some common questions and answers about using the national forest estate for wind and hydro power
Development and management
1. Will developments on the national forest estate be subject to normal planning/consent procedures?
Yes.
2. Is there a conflict of interest between Forestry Commission Scotland's (FCS) role as developer of renewable energy projects and its regulatory role?
It will be important to maintain a clear separation of functions. Any developments on the national forest estate will be subject to agreed policies, which include the Scottish Government’s policy on the control of woodland removal (PDF 1.8Mb). FCS will adopt an exemplar approach when applying these policies to the national forest estate.
3. Does Forestry Commission Scotland have the necessary expertise to develop renewable energy projects on the national forest estate?
FCS will continue to work closely with the private sector. The powers in the Climate Change (Scotland) Bill, allowing FCS to form companies and establish joint ventures, will provide an opportunity to strengthen existing arrangements.
4. How does Forestry Commission Scotland manage developments at present?
In general, the traditional approach has been to invite developers to bid for options to develop projects. Leases have been negotiated once the developer has secured planning permission and other consents. This has worked reasonably well, but – given the scale of the potential - a more ambitious approach could bring better financial returns and a more strategic approach to community benefits.
FCS is also working on self-development of a number of small-scale hydro schemes.
5. Will development of renewable energy projects divert FCS from its core forest-related tasks?
No – there will be a small, specialist team focussed on developing wind and hydro-projects.
6. How will FCS select private sector partners?
Normally through a process of competitive dialogue and commercial negotiation aimed at selecting the partners that are best suited to helping realise FCS’ ambitions.
7. Will FCS be establishing joint ventures for biomass related projects?
No. This is being treated differently because energy companies compete with other wood processors for raw material. As a dominant producer of wood in Scotland, FCS will continue to sell wood on the open market, without becoming directly involved in down-stream activities.
Environment
8. How do wind farms and hydro schemes deliver climate change benefits if trees have to be cut down or peat is disturbed?
Decisions on woodland removal and peat disturbance will, where appropriate, be informed by Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
The Scottish Government's policy on Control of Woodland Removal (PDF 1.8Mb) sets out the criteria for determining the acceptability of woodland removal, either with or without compensatory planting. Whenever appropriate, FCS will seek to maintain woodland conditions around turbines, subject to consideration of the impact of tree growth on turbine performance and energy yield.
A joint working group involving Scottish Renewables, SNH and SEPA and representatives from the wind industry are finalising a guidance note on good practice during windfarm construction and this will include guidance on peat management.
There is also guidance on calculating net carbon impacts on peat at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/06/25114657/0
Income
9. How much money will be raised?
The annual net income from wind and hydro-power could reach £30 million per year by 2020.
10. Will net income from wind and hydro-power be reinvested in forestry?
The income will go to FCS and help fund its other programmes, for example on the national forest estate and through grant support for private sector woodlands.
Communities
11. What about securing community benefits?
FCS wishes to maximise the benefits for communities from renewable energy and there will be a variety of approaches, depending upon circumstances. It will remain open for local communities to approach FCS about ideas for leasing or acquiring land for community scale developments under the National Forest Land Scheme.
Our position on this is set out in Securing Benefits for Communities (PDF 30k).
