Sustainable energy

4A.7 Renewable energy

The Mayor will and boroughs should in their DPDs adopt a presumption that developments will achieve a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions of 20% from onsite renewable energy generation (which can include sources of decentralised renewable energy) unless it can be demonstrated that such provision is not feasible.  This will support the Mayor’s Climate Change Mitigation and Energy Strategy and its objectives of increasing the proportion of energy used generated from renewable sources by:

• requiring the inclusion of renewable energy technology and design, including: biomass fuelled heating, cooling and electricity generating plant, biomass heating, combined heat, power and cooling, communal heating, cooling and power, renewable energy from waste (Policy 4A.21) photovoltaics, solar water heating, wind, hydrogen fuel cells, and ground-coupled heating and cooling in new developments wherever feasible
• facilitating and encouraging the use of all forms of renewable energy where appropriate, and giving consideration to the impact of new development on existing renewable energy schemes. 

Boroughs in their DPDs should identify broad areas where the development of specific renewable energy technologies are appropriate. These should encourage the fullest realisation of the potential for renewable energy having regard to the environmental and transport policies of the London Plan. These should include:

• identifying sites for zero carbon development
• identifying suitable locations for wind turbines in developments
• encouraging at least one large wind power scheme in London
• encouraging applications for new street appliances (such as bus shelters, bus stops, parking ticket machines and road signs) to incorporate off-grid solar power and other renewable energy sources where feasible.