Biodiversity rules could be waived for offshore windfarm construction

Offshore windfarm companies may be exempted from new nature rules in an attempt to keep the cost of renewable energy down, the Guardian has learned.

- Helena Horton Environment reporter

The energy firms have said they would be unable to build the vast number of turbines required to meet the government's green electricity goals if they had to meet new rules for nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs).

The energy secretary, Ed Miliband, is trying to find ways to reduce the cost of building offshore wind projects in order to avoid a hike in energy bills, according to sources in the department. Inflation, labour and materials costs are making it expensive to build the projects, while the grid upgrade required to carry the extra electricity is also adding to costs.

Under new planning rules by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs due to be brought in next May, all NSIPs such as nuclear power plants, airports and road schemes will have to enhance nature when new projects are built or when existing infrastructure is expanded.

Under the biodiversity net gain (BNG) requirement, they will be required to create 10% more nature than was there before the project was started, such as by planting trees or creating a wetland, not necessarily in the same location.