Energy white paper

The government published its long awaited Energy White Paper ‘Meeting the Energy Challenge’ on 23rd May 2007. The paper sets out the government’s plans for future energy policy, including recommendations for energy efficiency and renewable energy targets, with aims to triple the amount of electricity generated from renewable sources by 2015. It also looks at the role of nuclear power and the contribution that it could make towards cutting carbon emissions and ensuring future energy supplies.

Proposals for a new generation of nuclear power stations are outlined in ‘The Future of Nuclear Power’ - a separate consultation document released alongside the White Paper. Final decisions will be made in October.

The Paper mentions National Parks once in relation to overhead transmission and distribution lines.  Specifically, it mentions a prior consultation on reducing the need for planning permission for minor changes to existing infrastructure in National Parks, and outlines proposals for minor upgrades to be undertaken without requiring a new consent. The White Paper says Exemption Regulations will take effect after the consultation process has ended (2007/8).

Meeting the Energy Challenge White Paper (full paper) pdf