Work programme - Regensw
Regen SW and South West of England Regional Development Agency Regen SW is an independent not-for-profit company set up with the help of the South West of England Regional Development Agency (South West RDA) to further the growth of the renewable energy sector in the region. We receive core funding from the South West RDA which means that we can provide free advice to local authorities and businesses on renewable energy. We also provide advice to the South West RDA on it’s own investments in renewable energy, particularly in the development of its demonstration programmes in biomass
and marine energy. In order to maintain our independence, we do not take a commercial interest in technologies or companies. A South West RDA representative is an observer on our board with the majority of directors being representatives from businesses working in the renewables sector. We actively promote the region to renewable energy companies and introduce businesses interested in investing in the region to the South West RDA, which can offer financial support in the region’s assisted areas.
The Regional Renewable Energy Strategy The Regional Renewable Energy Strategy was launched in 2003 with the support of national, regional and local partners. Its first action was the setting up of Regen SW. Of the 49 other actions, 36 are now complete or in progress. Of those that have not been actioned the majority are national changes which are hard to affect from the region e.g. Action 108 ‘ensuring fair access to the distribution network for embedded renewable energy generators’.
Perhaps the greatest success of the strategy has been the work of the Government Office and the Regional Assembly to get agreement on county level renewable electricity targets. This process generated huge interest from local authorities and support from local champions of renewable energy and led to the development of renewable or sustainable energy strategies in every one of the seven counties of the South West. These county action plans have focused local efforts and stimulated a real desire to get things done.
Tel +44 (0) 1392 229 394 Fax +44 (0) 1392 229 395 www.regensw.co.uk
Annual Review 2005 – 2006
The main advantage of having such a proactive team as Regen SW is the renewables knowledge base and understanding that they have nurtured and developed throughout the region through the years. This, combined with an uncompromising approach to getting serious renewable energy targets adopted in every county across the South West is a major achievement. Simon Holt, npower renewables
Kensa Engineering Ltd, Falmouth Cornwall
Cover image Solar PV, Caddsdown Business Park, Bideford, Devon
Regen SW and South West of England Regional Development Agency Regen SW is an independent not-for-profit company set up with the help of the South West of England Regional Development Agency (South West RDA) to further the growth of the renewable energy sector in the region. We receive core funding from the South West RDA which means that we can provide free advice to local authorities and businesses on renewable energy. We also provide advice to the South West RDA on it’s own investments in renewable energy, particularly in the development of its demonstration programmes in biomass
and marine energy. In order to maintain our independence, we do not take a commercial interest in technologies or companies. A South West RDA representative is an observer on our board with the majority of directors being representatives from businesses working in the renewables sector. We actively promote the region to renewable energy companies and introduce businesses interested in investing in the region to the South West RDA, which can offer financial support in the region’s assisted areas.
The Regional Renewable Energy Strategy The Regional Renewable Energy Strategy was launched in 2003 with the support of national, regional and local partners. Its first action was the setting up of Regen SW. Of the 49 other actions, 36 are now complete or in progress. Of those that have not been actioned the majority are national changes which are hard to affect from the region e.g. Action 108 ‘ensuring fair access to the distribution network for embedded renewable energy generators’.
Perhaps the greatest success of the strategy has been the work of the Government Office and the Regional Assembly to get agreement on county level renewable electricity targets. This process generated huge interest from local authorities and support from local champions of renewable energy and led to the development of renewable or sustainable energy strategies in every one of the seven counties of the South West. These county action plans have focused local efforts and stimulated a real desire to get things done.
Tel +44 (0) 1392 229 394 Fax +44 (0) 1392 229 395 www.regensw.co.uk
Annual Review 2005 – 2006
The main advantage of having such a proactive team as Regen SW is the renewables knowledge base and understanding that they have nurtured and developed throughout the region through the years. This, combined with an uncompromising approach to getting serious renewable energy targets adopted in every county across the South West is a major achievement. Simon Holt, npower renewables
Kensa Engineering Ltd, Falmouth Cornwall
Cover image Solar PV, Caddsdown Business Park, Bideford, Devon
67%
94%
Source: DTI Proven wind turbine, National Marine Aquarium, Plymouth
Source: DTI Solar PV , The Core, Eden Project, Cornwall
West Country residents strongly support the use of Wind Power
People in the West Country who support the use of renewable energy
Colin Skellett: overview Regen SW Chairman
Regen SW is undoubtedly punching above its weight thanks largely to the energy and commitment of our staff… the board gives unstintingly of time and enthusiasm and has successfully steered Regen SW through its formative years. When we set up Regen SW we were conscious that we were embarking on something of an experiment. Could a small publicly-funded body make a difference to the growth of the renewables sector? Four years on and the answer from business and local authorities is a resounding yes. Regen SW has carved out a crucial role as a source of high-quality information and events, and helped establish national standing for the region’s work on marine renewables. Regen SW is now a trusted source of information on planning issues for local authorities, and in the last year we have worked closely with the Regional Assembly and the Government Office to secure
renewable energy targets for electricity, heat and buildings in the draft Regional Spatial Strategy. I’m pleased to say that the media coverage for renewables has also improved significantly, thanks in part to our programme of positive communications work. We have been able to increase our capacity to work with businesses in the region, thanks to additional funding from the South West RDA. Through our popular business network events we have been able to facilitate learning between some of our bigger firms and some of our smaller start-up companies. Colin Skellett: overview 01
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Regen SW highlights 2005–2006
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Installed renewable electricity capacity (MW) by County
Our new directory of South West renewable energy companies is also proving hugely popular, attracting over 20,000 hits on our website in the last year. Regen SW is undoubtedly punching above its weight thanks largely to the energy and commitment of our staff – and in particular our Chief Executive, Matthew Spencer. The board gives unstintingly of time and enthusiasm and has successfully steered Regen SW through its formative years.
02 Colin Skellett: overview
Regen SW’s work is only possible because of the huge support we receive from regional and local partners. The South West RDA deserves special thanks for showing commitment to the organisation, and giving us the flexibility to find new ways of making an impact. By working together we have ensured that last year has been a good one for renewable energy in South West England. Colin Skellett, Chairman
Highly commended in the 2006 British Renewable Energy Awards Developed the South West Wind Protocol which is now being replicated nationally by DTI Commissioned a report which shows there are over 1,100 people working in the South West renewable energy sector contributing an estimated £34 million to the economy Awarded over half a million pounds from South West RDA for our South West Bioheat programme Awarded £195,000 funding from npower Juice for our Wave Buoy Hosted nine South West renewable energy companies at the Clean Energy Show in London Held high impact events including our annual Renewable Futures Conference, Green Energy Awards Dinner and business networking events Trained 46 out of 53 South West local authorities on renewable energy planning policy
Regen SW highligts 2005–2006 03
South West renewable energy highlights DTI announced funding of £4.5 million for Wave Hub A 9 MW three turbine-wind scheme for Avonmouth was unanimously approved by Bristol City Council’s planning committee The UK’s first wood-fuelled pyrolosis plant (7 MW) in Somerset was awarded planning permission Targets for renewable electricity, heat and building integrated renewables were included in the draft Regional Spatial Strategy The UK’s first bioethanol refinery at Henstridge, Somerset has been granted planning permission Somerset’s first wind turbine has been approved on appeal at Shooters Bottom
04 South West renewable energy highlights
Work programme: planning and policy
Bears Down wind farm, North Cornwall
Bradworthy wind farm, Torridge, Devon
South West Wind Protocol The South West Wind Protocol was developed by Regen SW as a pioneering model of best practice in public engagement around wind energy developments. It was developed as a tool which deals with some of the important communications issues around wind energy developments which aren’t dealt with by the formal planning process. Signing up to the protocol signals a commitment by developers and local authorities to informing communities of proposed developments at the earliest opportunity and explaining to them the mechanisms for public consultation.
The protocol is endorsed by the British Wind Energy Association and the Royal Town Planning Institute. Several wind developers and local authorities have now signed up to the protocol objectives including Dorset County Council, Devon County Council, Wind Prospect and RES Ltd. The DTI has now developed a national protocol based on Regen SW’s work.
Work programme: planning and policy 05
Case Study Securing Renewable Energy Policies at Dorset County Council Dorset had no dedicated renewable energy agency or officer at the County Council, so all renewables work fell to the Sustainability Officer at the County Council. Regen SW joined forces with Dorset to ensure a more proactive and supportive environment for renewable energy in Dorset, Bournemouth and Poole. In 2003 Dorset secured funding from GOSW to develop a renewable energy strategy and action plan as the county’s follow up to the REvision 2010 project, supported by Regen SW. Cheryl Hiles, Regen SW’s Planning and Policy Manager, and a member of the Dorset Energy Group helped to steer the development of the strategy. The strategy was endorsed by 40 organisations, and a dedicated part time renewable energy officer was employed to oversee its implementation.
In addition, Cheryl takes an active role as a member of the Renewable Energy Planning Policy working group. With the chair of this group she developed the first draft of model criteria based policies for inclusion within Local Development Frameworks, based on national and regional guidance. These have been further developed by the group who have finalised model policies for all of the local authorities in Dorset, Bournemouth and Poole to use as a basis for their policy development. The County Council has been successful in securing an LAA Reward Element Target to install 56 renewable energy technologies of an installed capacity of 800kW in local authorities and village halls in Dorset and has appointed a full time Renewable Energy Technical Officer to achieve the Renewable Energy Reward Element Target.
Training of South West officers and councillors Our programme of training for local authority officers has proved hugely popular with 46 of the 53 South West local authorities having received training on renewable energy from Regen SW.
some biomass resources and constraints in the region, giving local authorities a clearer picture of how these technologies can contribute to the achievement of renewable energy targets.
The training focused on understanding the resources of each district and how this relates to county level renewable electricity targets. The local authorities all received a copy of the regional renewable energy atlas, a DVD which highlights both the wind and
Due to positive feedback from officers, four further councillor training events have been held over the last year. A further three are planned for districts where we expect to see a high volume of renewable energy applications come forward.
06 Work programme: planning and policy
Malcolm Shepherd, Green Spirit Fuels Green Spirit Fuels has planning permission for the UK’s first pure-play bioethanol plant, Wessex Biofuels, which will be located in Henstridge, Somerset
Work programme: business support
Case Study South West England Green Energy Awards In November 2005 we held the second annual South West Green Energy Awards. The awards recognise and reward the outstanding achievements of businesses, local authorities, home-owners and community groups in renewable energy. Presented at a gala dinner, the awards showcase the best projects and best practice in green energy in South West England. There were five categories of award in 2005 including a a new category of Best Home Installation.
We have received extremely positive feedback from the award winners, who were particularly pleased with the positive publicity the awards generated for their businesses and projects. The winners were: Best Business Innovation Kensa Heat Pumps, Cornwall
Best Community Scheme The Centre of Pendeen, Cornwall
Most Proactive Local Authority Somerset County Council
Best New Renewable Energy Scheme Caddsdown Business Park (Phase two), Devon
Best Home Installation Mike Grigg, Cornwall Andrew Garrad, Partner, Garrad Hassan Keynote speaker at Green Energy Awards Dinner 2005 Trelowarren Estate biomass project, Cornwall
Clean Energy Show In May 2005, we took nine South West renewable energy companies to the Clean Energy Show in London, where they showcased their renewable energy products and services on a national stage. The companies exhibited on our large stand under the ‘South West England’ banner, so raising the profile of the South West renewable energy industry. The cost to the companies was partly subsidised by Regen SW.
08 Work programme: business support
Directory of South West Renewable Energy Companies The companies were: Ecolane, Hydro Generation Ltd, Kensa Heat Pumps, Plymouth Marine Laboratories, Powertech Solar, The University of Exeter, Wardell Armstrong International, Wessex Biofuels, Wood Energy Ltd. All the companies thought that it had been a worthwhile venture. Kensa Heat Pumps, The University of Exeter and Wardell Armstrong International described levels of interest as ‘very high,’ and business as ‘brisk.’ We intend to host a similar trip to another large national trade show in 2007.
We have developed a comprehensive directory of South West Renewable Energy Companies that now features over 250 companies. The directory is searchable by technology, and the types of services offered. It is published on our website and is regularly updated to hand out in printed format at events and trade shows.
It was without exception the most popular piece of literature on the Regen SW stand at recent exhibitions and received over 20,000 web hits last year, making it easily the most popular page on our website. Specialist directories for wind and for marine energy have been developed and one for micro-generation is being prepared. The specialist directories include second and third tier supply companies.
Work programme: business support 09
Compact Power’s Pyrolosis Plant, Bristol
Goonhilly wind farm, Lizard Peninsula, Cornwall
Solar PV on National Marine Aquarium, Plymouth
Richard Freeborn, Director, Kensa Heat Pumps, Cornwall. Best Business Innovation Green Energy Award Winner 2005
Work programme: creating excellence
We have worked closely with Regen SW over the past few years to develop the renewable energy sector… In particular, the team provided valuable advice to the South West RDA in 2003 which resulted in our decision to develop Wave Hub. Steven Peacock, South West RDA
Wave Hub In 2003, we brought together a group of leading policy, finance and technology experts to consider how the South West could best contribute to the commercialisation of wave energy. Out of the discussions emerged the idea of a proving ground for wave farms, which we later named ‘Wave Hub’. The South West RDA responded quickly and positively to our recommendations and has since invested £2 million taking the project from concept, through feasibility to development.
Regen SW has assisted by championing the project within the renewables industry and securing important changes from government on the permitting of marine renewable projects such as Wave Hub. We have also developed a strategy for the South West RDA to capture economic benefit for the region from the growth of the marine renewables industry. In August 2006 the DTI announced that Wave Hub would qualify for funding of up to £4.5 million. It is anticipated that construction will take place in summer 2008, with the first power generated by the end of 2008. Work programme: creating excellence 13
BICAL – Devon based farmer owned co-operative UK Leader in the production and development of Miscanthus
Case Study The Story of the Wave Buoy In January 2005 we received an award of £195,000 from npower Juice for a project to collect data on the wave energy climate off the North Cornish coast. This was the first ever award made from the Juice fund. The Wave Buoy project is designed to speed up the installation of the world’s first wave farms, at the site of South West RDA’s Wave Hub. Data over two winters has now been collected and is being used by wave device developers to help them develop their wave machine designs. In addition this real data will help prove to investors that projects will be financially viable. The buoy, which records waves, tidal current and the presence of marine wildlife, shows strong wave energy potential in the area with an average wave height (Hmax) of 2.3m over the first three-month period. The largest wave recorded (Hmax) was 8.8m
(or 28 ft) high on the 13 February 2005. There are good prospects for the wave measurement continuing over the next couple of years to improve our understanding of the wave energy climate at the Wave Hub site. The Wave Buoy was singled out for praise by the Department for Trade and Industry, when it was named as one of the top ten UK renewable energy schemes of 2005.
Biomass In September 2006 Regen SW was awarded over half a million pounds from the South West of England Regional Development Agency to help develop the region’s bioheat sector. The South West Bioheat Programme will champion the installation of bioheat systems, encourage and support new fuel suppliers and provide recognised training programmes across the region.
14 Work programme: creating excellence
It is estimated that this intensive support will lead to an additional 32 MW of installed capacity which will equate to around 40 new bioheat systems on the ground. Our vision for the future of biomass in the South West is a self-sustaining biomass industry, where woodfuel is optioned on all new and existing projects, and pellet tankers might be as widespread as oil tankers. Our aim is for renewable heat to be given the national importance it deserves.
Matthew Spencer: moving forward
Increasingly Regen SW finds itself going beyond the role of provider of advice and information to be a facilitator of renewable energy demonstration projects.
Being something of an experiment, the future never has a high degree of certainty for Regen SW. We quite like it that way – it keeps us on our toes, and means that we try to stay focused on how we can make an impact that will outlive us. Which is why we haven’t spent a lot of time writing reviews like this one. We are doing so for the first time this year because of feedback from our stakeholders.
16 Matthew Spencer: moving forward
You said that you liked what you knew about our activities, but that you weren’t very clear about the range of our work, and our overall role within the region. I hope you find some of the examples in this review useful in clarifying our role. Increasingly Regen SW finds itself going beyond the role of provider of advice and information to be a facilitator of renewable energy demonstration projects. In the next year we will roll out an ambitious project to make wood heating a mainstream alternative to the use of heating oil in the region.
Trelowarren Estate Biomass Boiler, Cornwall
Our aim is to make bio-heat the first choice of all major new developments in rural South West England, by boosting the number of large installations and improving the capacity of foresters and heating engineers to respond to the growth of the market. Next stop for us is microrenewables where there is rapidly growing demand for advice to business, buildings owners and planners. I hope to be able to tell you more about how we think we can make an impact in this area in the next few months.
As we see the politics of climate change ratchet up further there will be new pressures and new opportunities for South West England. There will also be the inevitable uncertainty and confusion that comes with change. Our job at Regen SW is to help you to make sense of that confusion, and get the best possible outcome for the region. Matthew Spencer Chief Executive
Matthew Spencer: moving forward 17
Financial information Profit and loss account
Balance sheet
For the year ended 31 March 2006
31 March 2006 2006
2005
£
£
Turnover Cost of sales
473,552 116,508
328,782 81,867
Fixed assets: Tangible assets
Gross profit Administrative expenses
357,044 346,591
246,915 242,193
Operating profit Interest receivable and similar income
10,453 3,696
4,722 3,927
Current assets: Debtors Cash at bank
Profit on ordinary activities before taxation Tax on profit on ordinary activities
14,149 –
8,649 –
Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year
Profit for the financial year after taxation Retained profit brought forward
14,149 10,518
8,649 1,869
Net current assets/(liabilities):
£24,667
£10,518
Retained profit carried forward
2005/06 saw Regen SW’s turnover grow significantly following a further investment from the South West RDA. This allowed us to appoint two new staff and grow our project activity significantly. We also received a small income from our annual conference and from the DTI for local authority training.
18 Financial information: Profit and loss account
2006 £
Total assets less current liabilities: Reserves: Profit and loss account
2005 £
£
10,274
£ 10,533
139,465 140,236
1,330 92,926
279,701
94,256
265,308
94,271 14,393 £24,667
£10,518
24,667
10,518
£24,667
£10,518
The information presented on this page has been taken from the company’s financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2006, audited by Bush & Co. and approved by the board in September 2006. Full copies of these accounts can be obtained from Regen SW.
Financial information: Balance sheet 19
Our board of directors as of October 2006 Colin Skellett (Chairman) Executive Chairman of Wessex Water Martin Alder Managing Director of Wind Direct Ltd John Blight Director of Embley Energy Ltd
Peter Capener Sustainable Energy Consultant Richard Cresswell Regional Director for the South West Region of the Environment Agency Neil Evans Director of Energy for Sustainable Development Ltd
Claire Gibson Head of Planning, Transport and Environment at the South West of England Regional Development Agency Colin Palmer Managing Director of Wind Prospect Ltd
Regen SW staff team Chloë Bardolf-Smith Office and Events Manager
Keith Gillanders Head of Business Development
Cheryl Hiles Planning and Policy Manager
Sarah Forrow Communications Manager
Anna Halcro-Johnston Technology Project Manager
Steve Schofield Business Support Manager Matthew Spencer Chief Executive
20 Our board of directors
Simon Roberts Chief Executive of the Centre for Sustainable Energy Haydn Scholes A director of Wardell Armstrong International Ltd Leslie Watson Chief Executive, Sustainability South West
Photography by Paul Glendell and Martin Haswell. Design by Gendall. This document is printed on paper with 100% ECF (Elemental Chlorine Free) pulp that is fully recyclable and has the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certification.
Our team
Regen SW and South West of England Regional Development Agency Regen SW is an independent not-for-profit company set up with the help of the South West of England Regional Development Agency (South West RDA) to further the growth of the renewable energy sector in the region. We receive core funding from the South West RDA which means that we can provide free advice to local authorities and businesses on renewable energy. We also provide advice to the South West RDA on it’s own investments in renewable energy, particularly in the development of its demonstration programmes in biomass
and marine energy. In order to maintain our independence, we do not take a commercial interest in technologies or companies. A South West RDA representative is an observer on our board with the majority of directors being representatives from businesses working in the renewables sector. We actively promote the region to renewable energy companies and introduce businesses interested in investing in the region to the South West RDA, which can offer financial support in the region’s assisted areas.
The Regional Renewable Energy Strategy The Regional Renewable Energy Strategy was launched in 2003 with the support of national, regional and local partners. Its first action was the setting up of Regen SW. Of the 49 other actions, 36 are now complete or in progress. Of those that have not been actioned the majority are national changes which are hard to affect from the region e.g. Action 108 ‘ensuring fair access to the distribution network for embedded renewable energy generators’.
Perhaps the greatest success of the strategy has been the work of the Government Office and the Regional Assembly to get agreement on county level renewable electricity targets. This process generated huge interest from local authorities and support from local champions of renewable energy and led to the development of renewable or sustainable energy strategies in every one of the seven counties of the South West. These county action plans have focused local efforts and stimulated a real desire to get things done.
Tel +44 (0) 1392 229 394 Fax +44 (0) 1392 229 395 www.regensw.co.uk
Annual Review 2005 – 2006
The main advantage of having such a proactive team as Regen SW is the renewables knowledge base and understanding that they have nurtured and developed throughout the region through the years. This, combined with an uncompromising approach to getting serious renewable energy targets adopted in every county across the South West is a major achievement. Simon Holt, npower renewables
Kensa Engineering Ltd, Falmouth Cornwall
Cover image Solar PV, Caddsdown Business Park, Bideford, Devon
67%
94%
Source: DTI Proven wind turbine, National Marine Aquarium, Plymouth
Source: DTI Solar PV , The Core, Eden Project, Cornwall
West Country residents strongly support the use of Wind Power
People in the West Country who support the use of renewable energy
Regen SW and South West of England Regional Development Agency Regen SW is an independent not-for-profit company set up with the help of the South West of England Regional Development Agency (South West RDA) to further the growth of the renewable energy sector in the region. We receive core funding from the South West RDA which means that we can provide free advice to local authorities and businesses on renewable energy. We also provide advice to the South West RDA on it’s own investments in renewable energy, particularly in the development of its demonstration programmes in biomass
and marine energy. In order to maintain our independence, we do not take a commercial interest in technologies or companies. A South West RDA representative is an observer on our board with the majority of directors being representatives from businesses working in the renewables sector. We actively promote the region to renewable energy companies and introduce businesses interested in investing in the region to the South West RDA, which can offer financial support in the region’s assisted areas.
The Regional Renewable Energy Strategy The Regional Renewable Energy Strategy was launched in 2003 with the support of national, regional and local partners. Its first action was the setting up of Regen SW. Of the 49 other actions, 36 are now complete or in progress. Of those that have not been actioned the majority are national changes which are hard to affect from the region e.g. Action 108 ‘ensuring fair access to the distribution network for embedded renewable energy generators’.
Perhaps the greatest success of the strategy has been the work of the Government Office and the Regional Assembly to get agreement on county level renewable electricity targets. This process generated huge interest from local authorities and support from local champions of renewable energy and led to the development of renewable or sustainable energy strategies in every one of the seven counties of the South West. These county action plans have focused local efforts and stimulated a real desire to get things done.
Tel +44 (0) 1392 229 394 Fax +44 (0) 1392 229 395 www.regensw.co.uk
Annual Review 2005 – 2006
The main advantage of having such a proactive team as Regen SW is the renewables knowledge base and understanding that they have nurtured and developed throughout the region through the years. This, combined with an uncompromising approach to getting serious renewable energy targets adopted in every county across the South West is a major achievement. Simon Holt, npower renewables
Kensa Engineering Ltd, Falmouth Cornwall
Cover image Solar PV, Caddsdown Business Park, Bideford, Devon
and marine energy. In order to maintain our independence, we do not take a commercial interest in technologies or companies. A South West RDA representative is an observer on our board with the majority of directors being representatives from businesses working in the renewables sector. We actively promote the region to renewable energy companies and introduce businesses interested in investing in the region to the South West RDA, which can offer financial support in the region’s assisted areas.
The Regional Renewable Energy Strategy The Regional Renewable Energy Strategy was launched in 2003 with the support of national, regional and local partners. Its first action was the setting up of Regen SW. Of the 49 other actions, 36 are now complete or in progress. Of those that have not been actioned the majority are national changes which are hard to affect from the region e.g. Action 108 ‘ensuring fair access to the distribution network for embedded renewable energy generators’.
Perhaps the greatest success of the strategy has been the work of the Government Office and the Regional Assembly to get agreement on county level renewable electricity targets. This process generated huge interest from local authorities and support from local champions of renewable energy and led to the development of renewable or sustainable energy strategies in every one of the seven counties of the South West. These county action plans have focused local efforts and stimulated a real desire to get things done.
Tel +44 (0) 1392 229 394 Fax +44 (0) 1392 229 395 www.regensw.co.uk
Annual Review 2005 – 2006
The main advantage of having such a proactive team as Regen SW is the renewables knowledge base and understanding that they have nurtured and developed throughout the region through the years. This, combined with an uncompromising approach to getting serious renewable energy targets adopted in every county across the South West is a major achievement. Simon Holt, npower renewables
Kensa Engineering Ltd, Falmouth Cornwall
Cover image Solar PV, Caddsdown Business Park, Bideford, Devon
Regen SW and South West of England Regional Development Agency Regen SW is an independent not-for-profit company set up with the help of the South West of England Regional Development Agency (South West RDA) to further the growth of the renewable energy sector in the region. We receive core funding from the South West RDA which means that we can provide free advice to local authorities and businesses on renewable energy. We also provide advice to the South West RDA on it’s own investments in renewable energy, particularly in the development of its demonstration programmes in biomass
and marine energy. In order to maintain our independence, we do not take a commercial interest in technologies or companies. A South West RDA representative is an observer on our board with the majority of directors being representatives from businesses working in the renewables sector. We actively promote the region to renewable energy companies and introduce businesses interested in investing in the region to the South West RDA, which can offer financial support in the region’s assisted areas.
The Regional Renewable Energy Strategy The Regional Renewable Energy Strategy was launched in 2003 with the support of national, regional and local partners. Its first action was the setting up of Regen SW. Of the 49 other actions, 36 are now complete or in progress. Of those that have not been actioned the majority are national changes which are hard to affect from the region e.g. Action 108 ‘ensuring fair access to the distribution network for embedded renewable energy generators’.
Perhaps the greatest success of the strategy has been the work of the Government Office and the Regional Assembly to get agreement on county level renewable electricity targets. This process generated huge interest from local authorities and support from local champions of renewable energy and led to the development of renewable or sustainable energy strategies in every one of the seven counties of the South West. These county action plans have focused local efforts and stimulated a real desire to get things done.
Tel +44 (0) 1392 229 394 Fax +44 (0) 1392 229 395 www.regensw.co.uk
Annual Review 2005 – 2006
The main advantage of having such a proactive team as Regen SW is the renewables knowledge base and understanding that they have nurtured and developed throughout the region through the years. This, combined with an uncompromising approach to getting serious renewable energy targets adopted in every county across the South West is a major achievement. Simon Holt, npower renewables
Kensa Engineering Ltd, Falmouth Cornwall
Cover image Solar PV, Caddsdown Business Park, Bideford, Devon
67%
94%
Source: DTI Proven wind turbine, National Marine Aquarium, Plymouth
Source: DTI Solar PV , The Core, Eden Project, Cornwall
West Country residents strongly support the use of Wind Power
People in the West Country who support the use of renewable energy
Colin Skellett: overview Regen SW Chairman
Regen SW is undoubtedly punching above its weight thanks largely to the energy and commitment of our staff… the board gives unstintingly of time and enthusiasm and has successfully steered Regen SW through its formative years. When we set up Regen SW we were conscious that we were embarking on something of an experiment. Could a small publicly-funded body make a difference to the growth of the renewables sector? Four years on and the answer from business and local authorities is a resounding yes. Regen SW has carved out a crucial role as a source of high-quality information and events, and helped establish national standing for the region’s work on marine renewables. Regen SW is now a trusted source of information on planning issues for local authorities, and in the last year we have worked closely with the Regional Assembly and the Government Office to secure
renewable energy targets for electricity, heat and buildings in the draft Regional Spatial Strategy. I’m pleased to say that the media coverage for renewables has also improved significantly, thanks in part to our programme of positive communications work. We have been able to increase our capacity to work with businesses in the region, thanks to additional funding from the South West RDA. Through our popular business network events we have been able to facilitate learning between some of our bigger firms and some of our smaller start-up companies. Colin Skellett: overview 01
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Regen SW highlights 2005–2006
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Installed renewable electricity capacity (MW) by County
Our new directory of South West renewable energy companies is also proving hugely popular, attracting over 20,000 hits on our website in the last year. Regen SW is undoubtedly punching above its weight thanks largely to the energy and commitment of our staff – and in particular our Chief Executive, Matthew Spencer. The board gives unstintingly of time and enthusiasm and has successfully steered Regen SW through its formative years.
02 Colin Skellett: overview
Regen SW’s work is only possible because of the huge support we receive from regional and local partners. The South West RDA deserves special thanks for showing commitment to the organisation, and giving us the flexibility to find new ways of making an impact. By working together we have ensured that last year has been a good one for renewable energy in South West England. Colin Skellett, Chairman
Highly commended in the 2006 British Renewable Energy Awards Developed the South West Wind Protocol which is now being replicated nationally by DTI Commissioned a report which shows there are over 1,100 people working in the South West renewable energy sector contributing an estimated £34 million to the economy Awarded over half a million pounds from South West RDA for our South West Bioheat programme Awarded £195,000 funding from npower Juice for our Wave Buoy Hosted nine South West renewable energy companies at the Clean Energy Show in London Held high impact events including our annual Renewable Futures Conference, Green Energy Awards Dinner and business networking events Trained 46 out of 53 South West local authorities on renewable energy planning policy
Regen SW highligts 2005–2006 03
South West renewable energy highlights DTI announced funding of £4.5 million for Wave Hub A 9 MW three turbine-wind scheme for Avonmouth was unanimously approved by Bristol City Council’s planning committee The UK’s first wood-fuelled pyrolosis plant (7 MW) in Somerset was awarded planning permission Targets for renewable electricity, heat and building integrated renewables were included in the draft Regional Spatial Strategy The UK’s first bioethanol refinery at Henstridge, Somerset has been granted planning permission Somerset’s first wind turbine has been approved on appeal at Shooters Bottom
04 South West renewable energy highlights
Work programme: planning and policy
Bears Down wind farm, North Cornwall
Bradworthy wind farm, Torridge, Devon
South West Wind Protocol The South West Wind Protocol was developed by Regen SW as a pioneering model of best practice in public engagement around wind energy developments. It was developed as a tool which deals with some of the important communications issues around wind energy developments which aren’t dealt with by the formal planning process. Signing up to the protocol signals a commitment by developers and local authorities to informing communities of proposed developments at the earliest opportunity and explaining to them the mechanisms for public consultation.
The protocol is endorsed by the British Wind Energy Association and the Royal Town Planning Institute. Several wind developers and local authorities have now signed up to the protocol objectives including Dorset County Council, Devon County Council, Wind Prospect and RES Ltd. The DTI has now developed a national protocol based on Regen SW’s work.
Work programme: planning and policy 05
Case Study Securing Renewable Energy Policies at Dorset County Council Dorset had no dedicated renewable energy agency or officer at the County Council, so all renewables work fell to the Sustainability Officer at the County Council. Regen SW joined forces with Dorset to ensure a more proactive and supportive environment for renewable energy in Dorset, Bournemouth and Poole. In 2003 Dorset secured funding from GOSW to develop a renewable energy strategy and action plan as the county’s follow up to the REvision 2010 project, supported by Regen SW. Cheryl Hiles, Regen SW’s Planning and Policy Manager, and a member of the Dorset Energy Group helped to steer the development of the strategy. The strategy was endorsed by 40 organisations, and a dedicated part time renewable energy officer was employed to oversee its implementation.
In addition, Cheryl takes an active role as a member of the Renewable Energy Planning Policy working group. With the chair of this group she developed the first draft of model criteria based policies for inclusion within Local Development Frameworks, based on national and regional guidance. These have been further developed by the group who have finalised model policies for all of the local authorities in Dorset, Bournemouth and Poole to use as a basis for their policy development. The County Council has been successful in securing an LAA Reward Element Target to install 56 renewable energy technologies of an installed capacity of 800kW in local authorities and village halls in Dorset and has appointed a full time Renewable Energy Technical Officer to achieve the Renewable Energy Reward Element Target.
Training of South West officers and councillors Our programme of training for local authority officers has proved hugely popular with 46 of the 53 South West local authorities having received training on renewable energy from Regen SW.
some biomass resources and constraints in the region, giving local authorities a clearer picture of how these technologies can contribute to the achievement of renewable energy targets.
The training focused on understanding the resources of each district and how this relates to county level renewable electricity targets. The local authorities all received a copy of the regional renewable energy atlas, a DVD which highlights both the wind and
Due to positive feedback from officers, four further councillor training events have been held over the last year. A further three are planned for districts where we expect to see a high volume of renewable energy applications come forward.
06 Work programme: planning and policy
Malcolm Shepherd, Green Spirit Fuels Green Spirit Fuels has planning permission for the UK’s first pure-play bioethanol plant, Wessex Biofuels, which will be located in Henstridge, Somerset
Work programme: business support
Case Study South West England Green Energy Awards In November 2005 we held the second annual South West Green Energy Awards. The awards recognise and reward the outstanding achievements of businesses, local authorities, home-owners and community groups in renewable energy. Presented at a gala dinner, the awards showcase the best projects and best practice in green energy in South West England. There were five categories of award in 2005 including a a new category of Best Home Installation.
We have received extremely positive feedback from the award winners, who were particularly pleased with the positive publicity the awards generated for their businesses and projects. The winners were: Best Business Innovation Kensa Heat Pumps, Cornwall
Best Community Scheme The Centre of Pendeen, Cornwall
Most Proactive Local Authority Somerset County Council
Best New Renewable Energy Scheme Caddsdown Business Park (Phase two), Devon
Best Home Installation Mike Grigg, Cornwall Andrew Garrad, Partner, Garrad Hassan Keynote speaker at Green Energy Awards Dinner 2005 Trelowarren Estate biomass project, Cornwall
Clean Energy Show In May 2005, we took nine South West renewable energy companies to the Clean Energy Show in London, where they showcased their renewable energy products and services on a national stage. The companies exhibited on our large stand under the ‘South West England’ banner, so raising the profile of the South West renewable energy industry. The cost to the companies was partly subsidised by Regen SW.
08 Work programme: business support
Directory of South West Renewable Energy Companies The companies were: Ecolane, Hydro Generation Ltd, Kensa Heat Pumps, Plymouth Marine Laboratories, Powertech Solar, The University of Exeter, Wardell Armstrong International, Wessex Biofuels, Wood Energy Ltd. All the companies thought that it had been a worthwhile venture. Kensa Heat Pumps, The University of Exeter and Wardell Armstrong International described levels of interest as ‘very high,’ and business as ‘brisk.’ We intend to host a similar trip to another large national trade show in 2007.
We have developed a comprehensive directory of South West Renewable Energy Companies that now features over 250 companies. The directory is searchable by technology, and the types of services offered. It is published on our website and is regularly updated to hand out in printed format at events and trade shows.
It was without exception the most popular piece of literature on the Regen SW stand at recent exhibitions and received over 20,000 web hits last year, making it easily the most popular page on our website. Specialist directories for wind and for marine energy have been developed and one for micro-generation is being prepared. The specialist directories include second and third tier supply companies.
Work programme: business support 09
Compact Power’s Pyrolosis Plant, Bristol
Goonhilly wind farm, Lizard Peninsula, Cornwall
Solar PV on National Marine Aquarium, Plymouth
Richard Freeborn, Director, Kensa Heat Pumps, Cornwall. Best Business Innovation Green Energy Award Winner 2005
Work programme: creating excellence
We have worked closely with Regen SW over the past few years to develop the renewable energy sector… In particular, the team provided valuable advice to the South West RDA in 2003 which resulted in our decision to develop Wave Hub. Steven Peacock, South West RDA
Wave Hub In 2003, we brought together a group of leading policy, finance and technology experts to consider how the South West could best contribute to the commercialisation of wave energy. Out of the discussions emerged the idea of a proving ground for wave farms, which we later named ‘Wave Hub’. The South West RDA responded quickly and positively to our recommendations and has since invested £2 million taking the project from concept, through feasibility to development.
Regen SW has assisted by championing the project within the renewables industry and securing important changes from government on the permitting of marine renewable projects such as Wave Hub. We have also developed a strategy for the South West RDA to capture economic benefit for the region from the growth of the marine renewables industry. In August 2006 the DTI announced that Wave Hub would qualify for funding of up to £4.5 million. It is anticipated that construction will take place in summer 2008, with the first power generated by the end of 2008. Work programme: creating excellence 13
BICAL – Devon based farmer owned co-operative UK Leader in the production and development of Miscanthus
Case Study The Story of the Wave Buoy In January 2005 we received an award of £195,000 from npower Juice for a project to collect data on the wave energy climate off the North Cornish coast. This was the first ever award made from the Juice fund. The Wave Buoy project is designed to speed up the installation of the world’s first wave farms, at the site of South West RDA’s Wave Hub. Data over two winters has now been collected and is being used by wave device developers to help them develop their wave machine designs. In addition this real data will help prove to investors that projects will be financially viable. The buoy, which records waves, tidal current and the presence of marine wildlife, shows strong wave energy potential in the area with an average wave height (Hmax) of 2.3m over the first three-month period. The largest wave recorded (Hmax) was 8.8m
(or 28 ft) high on the 13 February 2005. There are good prospects for the wave measurement continuing over the next couple of years to improve our understanding of the wave energy climate at the Wave Hub site. The Wave Buoy was singled out for praise by the Department for Trade and Industry, when it was named as one of the top ten UK renewable energy schemes of 2005.
Biomass In September 2006 Regen SW was awarded over half a million pounds from the South West of England Regional Development Agency to help develop the region’s bioheat sector. The South West Bioheat Programme will champion the installation of bioheat systems, encourage and support new fuel suppliers and provide recognised training programmes across the region.
14 Work programme: creating excellence
It is estimated that this intensive support will lead to an additional 32 MW of installed capacity which will equate to around 40 new bioheat systems on the ground. Our vision for the future of biomass in the South West is a self-sustaining biomass industry, where woodfuel is optioned on all new and existing projects, and pellet tankers might be as widespread as oil tankers. Our aim is for renewable heat to be given the national importance it deserves.
Matthew Spencer: moving forward
Increasingly Regen SW finds itself going beyond the role of provider of advice and information to be a facilitator of renewable energy demonstration projects.
Being something of an experiment, the future never has a high degree of certainty for Regen SW. We quite like it that way – it keeps us on our toes, and means that we try to stay focused on how we can make an impact that will outlive us. Which is why we haven’t spent a lot of time writing reviews like this one. We are doing so for the first time this year because of feedback from our stakeholders.
16 Matthew Spencer: moving forward
You said that you liked what you knew about our activities, but that you weren’t very clear about the range of our work, and our overall role within the region. I hope you find some of the examples in this review useful in clarifying our role. Increasingly Regen SW finds itself going beyond the role of provider of advice and information to be a facilitator of renewable energy demonstration projects. In the next year we will roll out an ambitious project to make wood heating a mainstream alternative to the use of heating oil in the region.
Trelowarren Estate Biomass Boiler, Cornwall
Our aim is to make bio-heat the first choice of all major new developments in rural South West England, by boosting the number of large installations and improving the capacity of foresters and heating engineers to respond to the growth of the market. Next stop for us is microrenewables where there is rapidly growing demand for advice to business, buildings owners and planners. I hope to be able to tell you more about how we think we can make an impact in this area in the next few months.
As we see the politics of climate change ratchet up further there will be new pressures and new opportunities for South West England. There will also be the inevitable uncertainty and confusion that comes with change. Our job at Regen SW is to help you to make sense of that confusion, and get the best possible outcome for the region. Matthew Spencer Chief Executive
Matthew Spencer: moving forward 17
Financial information Profit and loss account
Balance sheet
For the year ended 31 March 2006
31 March 2006 2006
2005
£
£
Turnover Cost of sales
473,552 116,508
328,782 81,867
Fixed assets: Tangible assets
Gross profit Administrative expenses
357,044 346,591
246,915 242,193
Operating profit Interest receivable and similar income
10,453 3,696
4,722 3,927
Current assets: Debtors Cash at bank
Profit on ordinary activities before taxation Tax on profit on ordinary activities
14,149 –
8,649 –
Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year
Profit for the financial year after taxation Retained profit brought forward
14,149 10,518
8,649 1,869
Net current assets/(liabilities):
£24,667
£10,518
Retained profit carried forward
2005/06 saw Regen SW’s turnover grow significantly following a further investment from the South West RDA. This allowed us to appoint two new staff and grow our project activity significantly. We also received a small income from our annual conference and from the DTI for local authority training.
18 Financial information: Profit and loss account
2006 £
Total assets less current liabilities: Reserves: Profit and loss account
2005 £
£
10,274
£ 10,533
139,465 140,236
1,330 92,926
279,701
94,256
265,308
94,271 14,393 £24,667
£10,518
24,667
10,518
£24,667
£10,518
The information presented on this page has been taken from the company’s financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2006, audited by Bush & Co. and approved by the board in September 2006. Full copies of these accounts can be obtained from Regen SW.
Financial information: Balance sheet 19
Our board of directors as of October 2006 Colin Skellett (Chairman) Executive Chairman of Wessex Water Martin Alder Managing Director of Wind Direct Ltd John Blight Director of Embley Energy Ltd
Peter Capener Sustainable Energy Consultant Richard Cresswell Regional Director for the South West Region of the Environment Agency Neil Evans Director of Energy for Sustainable Development Ltd
Claire Gibson Head of Planning, Transport and Environment at the South West of England Regional Development Agency Colin Palmer Managing Director of Wind Prospect Ltd
Regen SW staff team Chloë Bardolf-Smith Office and Events Manager
Keith Gillanders Head of Business Development
Cheryl Hiles Planning and Policy Manager
Sarah Forrow Communications Manager
Anna Halcro-Johnston Technology Project Manager
Steve Schofield Business Support Manager Matthew Spencer Chief Executive
20 Our board of directors
Simon Roberts Chief Executive of the Centre for Sustainable Energy Haydn Scholes A director of Wardell Armstrong International Ltd Leslie Watson Chief Executive, Sustainability South West
Photography by Paul Glendell and Martin Haswell. Design by Gendall. This document is printed on paper with 100% ECF (Elemental Chlorine Free) pulp that is fully recyclable and has the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certification.
Our team
Regen SW and South West of England Regional Development Agency Regen SW is an independent not-for-profit company set up with the help of the South West of England Regional Development Agency (South West RDA) to further the growth of the renewable energy sector in the region. We receive core funding from the South West RDA which means that we can provide free advice to local authorities and businesses on renewable energy. We also provide advice to the South West RDA on it’s own investments in renewable energy, particularly in the development of its demonstration programmes in biomass
and marine energy. In order to maintain our independence, we do not take a commercial interest in technologies or companies. A South West RDA representative is an observer on our board with the majority of directors being representatives from businesses working in the renewables sector. We actively promote the region to renewable energy companies and introduce businesses interested in investing in the region to the South West RDA, which can offer financial support in the region’s assisted areas.
The Regional Renewable Energy Strategy The Regional Renewable Energy Strategy was launched in 2003 with the support of national, regional and local partners. Its first action was the setting up of Regen SW. Of the 49 other actions, 36 are now complete or in progress. Of those that have not been actioned the majority are national changes which are hard to affect from the region e.g. Action 108 ‘ensuring fair access to the distribution network for embedded renewable energy generators’.
Perhaps the greatest success of the strategy has been the work of the Government Office and the Regional Assembly to get agreement on county level renewable electricity targets. This process generated huge interest from local authorities and support from local champions of renewable energy and led to the development of renewable or sustainable energy strategies in every one of the seven counties of the South West. These county action plans have focused local efforts and stimulated a real desire to get things done.
Tel +44 (0) 1392 229 394 Fax +44 (0) 1392 229 395 www.regensw.co.uk
Annual Review 2005 – 2006
The main advantage of having such a proactive team as Regen SW is the renewables knowledge base and understanding that they have nurtured and developed throughout the region through the years. This, combined with an uncompromising approach to getting serious renewable energy targets adopted in every county across the South West is a major achievement. Simon Holt, npower renewables
Kensa Engineering Ltd, Falmouth Cornwall
Cover image Solar PV, Caddsdown Business Park, Bideford, Devon
67%
94%
Source: DTI Proven wind turbine, National Marine Aquarium, Plymouth
Source: DTI Solar PV , The Core, Eden Project, Cornwall
West Country residents strongly support the use of Wind Power
People in the West Country who support the use of renewable energy
Regen SW and South West of England Regional Development Agency Regen SW is an independent not-for-profit company set up with the help of the South West of England Regional Development Agency (South West RDA) to further the growth of the renewable energy sector in the region. We receive core funding from the South West RDA which means that we can provide free advice to local authorities and businesses on renewable energy. We also provide advice to the South West RDA on it’s own investments in renewable energy, particularly in the development of its demonstration programmes in biomass
and marine energy. In order to maintain our independence, we do not take a commercial interest in technologies or companies. A South West RDA representative is an observer on our board with the majority of directors being representatives from businesses working in the renewables sector. We actively promote the region to renewable energy companies and introduce businesses interested in investing in the region to the South West RDA, which can offer financial support in the region’s assisted areas.
The Regional Renewable Energy Strategy The Regional Renewable Energy Strategy was launched in 2003 with the support of national, regional and local partners. Its first action was the setting up of Regen SW. Of the 49 other actions, 36 are now complete or in progress. Of those that have not been actioned the majority are national changes which are hard to affect from the region e.g. Action 108 ‘ensuring fair access to the distribution network for embedded renewable energy generators’.
Perhaps the greatest success of the strategy has been the work of the Government Office and the Regional Assembly to get agreement on county level renewable electricity targets. This process generated huge interest from local authorities and support from local champions of renewable energy and led to the development of renewable or sustainable energy strategies in every one of the seven counties of the South West. These county action plans have focused local efforts and stimulated a real desire to get things done.
Tel +44 (0) 1392 229 394 Fax +44 (0) 1392 229 395 www.regensw.co.uk
Annual Review 2005 – 2006
The main advantage of having such a proactive team as Regen SW is the renewables knowledge base and understanding that they have nurtured and developed throughout the region through the years. This, combined with an uncompromising approach to getting serious renewable energy targets adopted in every county across the South West is a major achievement. Simon Holt, npower renewables
Kensa Engineering Ltd, Falmouth Cornwall
Cover image Solar PV, Caddsdown Business Park, Bideford, Devon
