Rudd looks to fast-track fracking

Energy secretary Amber Rudd is looking to fast-track applications for shale gas exploration in the UK, as the first tranche of onshore licences in the 14th round are due to be revealed.

“We can’t continue with a system that sees applications dragged out for months, or even years on end, which doesn’t give certainty to industry and which could spell the end of a potentially vital national industry,” said Rudd in a blog for The Times newspaper on 9 August. “We need a system that delivers timely planning decisions.”

She added that getting shale exploration “up and running” was a “key part” of the Department of Energy and Climate Change’s (Decc’s) long-term plan to “build a stronger, more competitive economy, create jobs by backing the industries of the future and take our country forward”.

The Times reported that about 95 companies are understood to have submitted bids for nearly 300 drilling licences in the 14th licensing round, spanning more than 40 per cent of the UK’s land area.

The government has said no new oil and gas licences, including for fracking, will be awarded in Scotland or Wales, following discussions with prospective licensees.

Decc will be writing to planning authorities this week to “make clear that there is a national need to explore shale in a safe, sustainable and timely way to help meet our objectives for secure energy supplies, economic growth and lower carbon emissions”.

Natural gas meets a third of the UK’s energy demand and Rudd insisted “we will need it for many years to come, even as we decarbonise”.

“Britain is currently on course to be importing around 75 per cent of its oil and gas resources by 2030 – we need more secure, home grown energy supplies and shale gas must play a part of that,” she said.

She added that the choice “is not gas or no gas”, but how much the UK relies on gas from abroad or indigenous production.

“Having a choice of where we get our energy, including producing our own at home wherever we can, is the best way to make sure we’re secure,” she said.

The fracking process is a controversial topic, with many UK projects recently being blocked by councils, despite the process being backed by government, and public support at an all time low. Although the technique appears to have started making slow progress, as companies push for permission to begin projects.

Earlier this month, two gas development firms, Third Energy and IGas, made first steps towards fracking at their respective sites in North Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire.

In June, fracking firm Cuadrilla was refused permission to explore for shale gas its Roseacre Wood site. After much deliberation, a decision was made to reject the firm’s Preston New Road, despite receiving backing from planning officials.

Councillors said they rejected Cuadrilla’s application because of the “visual impact and unacceptable noise”.

In a statement, the company said it had completed the “most comprehensive environmental impact assessments ever carried out for operations of this kind” and earlier this month, decided to appeal the decision. However, civil servants have warned that the appeal process could take “at least 16 months”.

The Energy Networks Association (ENA) has told Utility Week the gas distribution networks will “be on hand” to help facilitate shale gas, “if policy makers decide to pursue this source of gas”.