The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero is reforming electricity network infrastructure policy to accelerate grid connections and streamline consents and land access procedures for strategic demand projects. The Local Electricity (No. 2) Bill and Electricity Grid (Review) Bill address planning application processes, Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) for electric lines, and changes to application fees. The policy is active with government consultation responses and ongoing implementation of network acceleration measures.
In response to: Changes to energy infrastructure planning application fees
In response to: Electricity network infrastructure: consents, land access and rights
In response to: Electricity network infrastructure: consents, land access and rights
We are seeking views on proposed changes to land rights and consents processes for electricity network infrastructure.
We're seeking views on proposals to amend the connections process to address speculation and prioritise future capacity for strategic demand, including data centres.
We're seeking views on proposals to amend the connections process to address speculation and prioritise future capacity for strategic demand, including data centres.
In response to: National Policy Statement for electricity networks infrastructure (EN-5), 2025
Ofgem should reassess the outcomes of its Targeted Charging Review and consult on how increased network costs resulting from a sharp increase in investment in electricity infrastructure could be allocated more broadly, including across wider parts of the energy system. …
We are seeking views on proposed changes to land rights and consents processes for electricity network infrastructure.
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero is consulting on changes to land rights and consents processes for electricity network infrastructure to support the transition to Net Zero and secure Clean Power by 2030. This follows an August-September 2022 …
The Clean Energy Superpower Mission is crucial for economic growth, energy security and reducing electricity bills. By rapidly adopting clean, homegrown energy, Great Britain can control its energy supply and protect both household and national finances from fossil fuel price …
We are seeking views on proposed changes to land rights and consents processes for electricity network infrastructure.
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero is consulting on changes to land rights and consents processes for electricity network infrastructure to support the transition to Net Zero and secure Clean Power by 2030. This follows an August-September 2022 …
We have not had the opportunity to consider the issue in detail. However, we believe that there is merit to these arguments, given that electricity distribution infrastructure is strategically important and can be much smaller in scale than transmission infrastructure. …
The complex judgments involved in evaluating different options for electricity network infrastructure not only raise a strong argument for settling these strategic considerations at an earlier stage, but also heighten the need for affected communities to be involved in those …
National planning policy for CNP infrastructure should strongly encourage innovative strategies to reduce environmental impacts and, where appropriate, adjustments to site boundaries, layouts or the volume of electricity generation in specific areas for this purpose. (Conclusion, Paragraph 69) Type
In response to: Electricity Distribution Networks study: government response
The government's response to the National Infrastructure Commission’s study ‘Electricity Distribution Networks: Creating capacity for the future’.
UIN: HCWS777 This statement will not be made today
UIN: HLWS777 My hon. Friend the Minister for Energy Security and Net Zero (Michael Shanks MP) made the following Statement today:This statement will not be made today
The Clean Energy Superpower Mission is crucial for economic growth, energy security and reducing electricity bills. By rapidly adopting clean, homegrown energy, Great Britain can control its energy supply and protect both household and national finances from fossil fuel price …
UIN: HCWS650 Today my department is publishing a working paper on community benefits and shared ownership of clean energy infrastructure.Britain is moving at speed to build the clean homegrown energy we need to deliver energy security, lower bills, good jobs, …
As with motorway service areas, many of these locations are limited by the strength of the local electricity network and the ability to enhance and connect to it. The Government recognises that the processes to receive electricity grid connections are …
In response to: Electricity transmission infrastructure: proposed bill discount scheme
In response to: Electricity infrastructure consenting in Scotland
In response to: Electricity infrastructure consenting in Scotland
Government proposals to introduce a new electricity bill discount scheme for communities living nearest to new electricity transmission infrastructure.
We're seeking views on proposals for reforming the consenting processes in Scotland under the Electricity Act 1989.
We're seeking views on proposals for reforming the consenting processes in Scotland under the Electricity Act 1989.
The UK Government believes that Scotland’s growing renewable electricity sector requires a robust, timely and proportionate consenting process which meaningfully involves communities and relevant planning authorities in decision-making. The Scottish Government grants consents to electricity in
We're seeking views on proposals for reforming the consenting processes in Scotland under the Electricity Act 1989.
The UK Government believes that Scotland’s growing renewable electricity sector requires a robust, timely and proportionate consenting process which meaningfully involves communities and relevant planning authorities in decision-making. The Scottish Government grants consents to electricity in
The Government has set stretching overall ambitions for the generating capacity required to supply the GB electricity grid with decarbonised energy by 2035. To meet these, current capacity will have to increase by 250% in a little over a decade. …
We recommend that the Government, together with Ofgem and the National Energy System Operator, establish a multidisciplinary planning cell tasked with the development of a detailed pathway to the decarbonised grid. This unit ought to be commissioned to produce a …
The form that this energy storage should take has not been made clear by the Government. It is by no means clear to us that Ministers have grasped the scale of the storage facilities likely to be required, nor the …
Ofgem and the Energy System Operator have sought to improve grid connection timeframes through reforming grid queue procedures and introducing milestones. Early evidence suggests that the reforms introduced to date appear not to have yet had the immediate and radical …
Overall visibility of the grid connections queue is limited, and it is possible that the immediate effect of the reforms introduced has been to lengthen the connections queue as developers react to the new regime. While we welcome the Ofgem …
We recommend that, in the interests of transparency, Ofgem monitor and publicly report on the status of the queue and its progress in managing it on a monthly basis. Type: recommendation | Number: 19 | Paragraph: 92 | Response status: …
The Government and Ofgem must implement in full the changes proposed in the Connections Action Plan. This must entail, for example, the prioritisation of short- term grid requirements, so as to incentivise network operators to prioritise renewable energy connections. The …
We recognise the rationale for the current restrictions on the commissioning and construction of connections to regional substations. The GB electricity network must be constructed to certain minimum standards which ensure coherence, reliability and interoperability, under arrangements which provide
We recommend that the Government examine the operation of the current ED2 (distribution) and T2 (transmission) price control periods to establish whether the measures are driving the necessary connections and increases in capacity. If not, these price control periods should …
A general focus by Ofgem on ‘just in time’ network investment means that limited current network capacity can be a barrier to new connections. We recommend that the Government and Ofgem work together to encourage anticipatory investment where it is …
Energy infrastructure supply chains are often very fragile and are affected by fierce global competition. The shoring up of these supply chains serving the UK’s electrification requirements will require urgent and significant anticipatory investment to ensure that the rollout of …
We recommend that the Government develop a plan to ensure that planning authorities, are sufficiently well resourced, in terms of personnel and expertise, to support the timely determination of planning applications for energy infrastructure and facilities. 48 Enabling sustainable electrification …
Despite recent reforms to the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects regime in respect of energy infrastructure and to the National Planning Policy Framework, we are not convinced that the current design of the planning system is adequate to balance local concerns …
The Government should further review the application of planning regulations to electricity infrastructure so as to bring the relevant provisions of the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects regime and the National Planning Policy Framework into full alignment. We recommend that the …
Early, well-run community engagement is an essential aspect of successful rollout of energy infrastructure. Communities who are engaged and invested, and who can have input into their local infrastructure, are more likely to accept a greater level of infrastructure and …
We recommend that the Government develop a major public engagement strategy to communicate the need for further electrification of the economy, its likely benefits and the infrastructure development it will entail. Type: recommendation | Number: 39 | Paragraph: 138 | …
The Government must also require meaningful developer-led community engagement at the outset of major electricity infrastructure projects. We recommend that Ministers also develop guidance for operators and local authorities on best practice in community engagement. Type: recommendation | Number: 4
Engaging early and fully with local communities to explain why renewable energy infrastructure through their area is necessary and of benefit to them is essential to ensure positive public participation and acceptance. Badly-designed community benefits, or those forced upon communities …
We recommend that the Government expedite the implementation of its current proposals for community benefits to be considered as part of community engagement in the delivery of certain transmission projects. A toolkit of illustrative community benefits and potential levels of …
We recommend that Government and Ofgem should maintain clear indicators of progress on decarbonisation and energy security to allow simple public progress tracking of the proportion of renewable electricity on the system compared to expected needs, the security of supply …
In response to: Electricity networks: connections action plan
UIN: HCWS62 The UK is a world leader in renewable energy: in the first quarter of this year, 48% of our electricity came from renewables, up from just 6% in the first quarter of 2010. Our renewable electricity capacity has …
UIN: HLWS59 My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero (Claire Coutinho) has today made the following Statement:The UK is a world leader in renewable energy: in the first quarter of this year, 48% …
We're seeking views on a recommended approach to community benefits for electricity transmission network infrastructure.
The government’s response to the Electricity Network Commissioner’s report on accelerating electricity transmission network build.
Joint government and Ofgem action plan on accelerating connections to the electricity network.
The Department has created offshore wind, hydrogen, electricity network, and nuclear champions whose role includes identifying potential risks, barriers and bottlenecks to progress and making recommendations for both the Department and other parts of government where issues cross departmental respon
We're seeking views on a recommended approach to community benefits for electricity transmission network infrastructure.
We recommend that the Government establishes an appropriate policy framework to support investment decisions in long-duration energy storage this year, to enable projects to be completed by the end of the decade. This includes setting out a target range for …
The planning system, nationally and locally within England and also in Scotland and Wales, is a major constraint on the timely delivery of low-carbon energy infrastructure. There are many reasons for this, some of which we do not cover in …
A lack of network capacity and delays to securing grid connections are together hampering the delivery of low-carbon power and driving potential investments overseas. For too long, transmission and distribution network owners have been able to delay or avoid the …
We join many other organisations from across the sector in calling on Ministers, Ofgem and network owners to help recover lost ground by accelerating investment in future grid capacity now ahead of need. The increasing costs associated with turning off …
We recommend that Ofgem sees the Accelerated Strategic Transmission Investment (ASTI) framework as a starting point to accelerate the delivery of the necessary grid upgrades required to meet the Government’s 2035 target. This work should continue beyond 2035 to ensure …
The UK’s “first come first served” approach to grid connections is failing to deliver the volume of connections required. Projects which may be speculative or slow-moving risk being prioritised over those that are more viable. While we welcome National Grid …
We recommend that when a need for investment in the distribution network becomes clear, Ofgem ensures the uncertainty mechanisms included in the RIIO-ED2 framework are applied efficiently. Should these prove inadequate to respond to a rapid roll-out of low-carbon technologies, …
We are concerned by the risks that customers face different outcomes in different regions due to a lack of national direction setting for distribution networks. We recommend that Ofgem revises its approach to the planning of distribution networks to one …
Regulatory settlements for network owners must deliver value for money for consumers. Despite improvements from Ofgem in tackling excessive profits made by these companies in previous price control frameworks, we are concerned that network owners continue to be overly rewarded. …
In future, data and visibility will be key to ascertaining whether network reinforcement or an alternative, such as procuring flexibility services, would be most cost effective for consumers. But there has been insufficient investment in monitoring capability at low voltages …
To address the delivery risks to the 2035 target, the Government will need to ensure that planning and environmental authorities are properly resourced, that planning guidance is aligned with its decarbonisation goals and that the process is streamlined. Ofgem needs …
We're seeking views on a recommended approach to community benefits for electricity transmission network infrastructure.
A Bill to require the Secretary of State to establish an export guarantee scheme for small generators of low carbon electricity; to set a tariff, based on market rates, for the sale of electricity und
Long-term targets and a clear roadmap for delivery, as recommended elsewhere in this report, should be provided at the earliest opportunity to assist National Grid ESO in planning for improvements to grid infrastructure. Alongside this, the UK Government should continue …
We recommended in our July 2021 report on zero emission vehicles that some of the £950 million rapid charging fund be used to provide fully future-proofed grid capacity, and that the Government work with National Grid to map the electricity …
The policy in favour of laying cables underground in AONBs is welcome. However, due to the significantly higher construction costs it is likely that overhead lines will simply be re-routed around AONBs. This will mean that communities and businesses in …
There is a lack of clear policy directing energy development companies on how to provide adequate benefits to communities hosting grid infrastructure. Type: conclusion | Number: 26 | Paragraph: 126 | Response status: under_consideration Government response: The Government committed in …
The Government should incentivise energy companies and transmission infrastructure owners to provide benefits to communities hosting network assets. Communities should be directly consulted on the benefits they would like to receive. A starting presumption 40 Grid capacity in Wales should …
Without an established system of anticipatory investment in grid infrastructure the significant opportunities for renewable energy generation in Wales will go under- utilised, which will have an impact on the achievement of net zero targets. Were grid infrastructure to be …
The UK Government should use National Grid ESO’s Future Energy Scenarios to work with energy companies and grid infrastructure owners to determine areas where anticipatory investment in grid infrastructure would be justified to achieve net zero targets. Where anticipatory investment …
In order to utilise the opportunities for renewable energy generation in Wales a system of anticipatory investment in grid infrastructure needs to be created and implemented urgently. In the government response to this report, we request further information on the …
The grid network has been built piecemeal on the basis of the energy needs of the nation over time. The energy system in the UK is changing and electricity grid network design needs to adapt to meet this change. We …
As well as considering the grid in Wales as part of a Great Britain enterprise, the UK Government must recognise the distinctive challenges and opportunities associated with the grid in Wales. The UK Government should engage directly and regularly with …
We have heard that there are constraints on both the distribution and transmission grids in Wales. Julie James MS told us Wales does not have the grid capacity it needs “right now”. However, Rt Hon Greg Hands MP told us …
We recommend that the Government explain the timescales of “today” and “tomorrow” in the context of grid capacity in Wales. Further to this we recommend that the Government explains the evidence for its statement that the electricity grid in Wales …
To ensure that communities and business in Wales can decarbonise in line with government targets, grid infrastructure must be able to meet the projected increase in demand for electricity. The evidence we received suggested that the grid in Wales will …
While we understand that the UK Government must consider the energy and network needs of the UK as a whole, we consider that it would be inequitable if the UK were to benefit from Wales’ natural resources for renewable energy …
We recommend that the UK Government task the new Electricity Networks Commissioner to determine the grid infrastructure necessary to enable industry, communities and businesses in Wales to decarbonise heat and transport in line with net zero targets. Type: recommendation | …
We recognise the strengths of an electricity grid that serves the whole of Great Britain. However, we conclude that there are distinct challenges and opportunities relating to grid infrastructure in Wales that require specific focus and intervention from the UK …
We note the work by the Welsh Government to develop a long-term plan for energy networks in Wales and call on the UK Government to explain how it is engaging with this. The UK Government needs to explain how it …
Upfront connection costs can be prohibitive and prevent the development of energy projects. This results in a “chicken and egg” situation whereby developers wait for other developers to commit to the funding of connection costs. Type: conclusion | Number: 9 …
We are encouraged that Ofgem is reviewing connection arrangements and we look forward to hearing more about the progress being made in the run up to 1 April 2023. We consider that due to the tight timeframes set by government …
It is not equitable that grid reinforcement costs should be shared by consumers in an area because this would create a higher burden for rural households and businesses and those in areas which historically lack existing grid infrastructure. We ask …
We are encouraged to see the new Electricity Networks Commissioner appointed with a remit to reduce timelines and look forward to understanding in more detail how this will be achieved. However, it is not clear that the UK Government appreciates …
This call for evidence is seeking views on the current land rights and consents processes for electricity network infrastructure. We want to understand whether the current processes are fit for purpose or whether they act as a barrier to the …
In response to: Electricity networks strategic framework
This call for evidence is seeking views on the current land rights and consents processes for electricity network infrastructure. We want to understand whether the current processes are fit for purpose or whether they act as a barrier to the …
This consultation seeks to broaden the UK’s understanding of the impact and opportunities for cyber-physical systems and also advance our collective understanding of the value of, and options for an underpinning Cyber-Physical Infrastructure to unleash innovation. Understand
A Bill to require the Government and Ofgem to conduct and act on a review of the electricity transmission grid and associated charges, to include consideration of abolishing charge differentials based
This consultation seeks to broaden the UK’s understanding of the impact and opportunities for cyber-physical systems and also advance our collective understanding of the value of, and options for an underpinning Cyber-Physical Infrastructure to unleash innovation. Understand
The electricity system will need fundamental change as we move towards Net Zero. Greater use of new, flexible technologies in generation and demand will create challenges for the electricity network from a governance and technical point of view, and the …
A Bill to require the Government and Ofgem to conduct and act on a review of the electricity transmission grid and associated charges, to include consideration of abolishing charge differentials based
The electricity system will need fundamental change as we move towards Net Zero. Greater use of new, flexible technologies in generation and demand will create challenges for the electricity network from a governance and technical point of view, and the …
We received a considerable amount of evidence arguing that grid capacity issues are currently significantly hindering renewable energy deployment throughout Wales, and are likely to continue to do so in the future. If the UK Government is unaware of the …
The Government must work with National Grid to map the electricity network to assess potential weak areas, especially in rural locations, and to develop a plan to prevent ‘not-spots’ from emerging similar to those during the roll-out of broadband and …
Project Rapid, which specifies the number of charge points on the strategic road network by 2023 and beyond, is welcome. However, the spending priorities for the £950 million rapid charging fund are currently obscure. Given the time and expense involved …
The electric vehicle charging infrastructure strategy must set out: a) how the £950 million rapid charging fund will be spent to facilitate the implementation of charging infrastructure; and b) the measures that the Government is taking to identify and address …
The Government must amend the wayleave regime for installing charging infrastructure to ensure that that regime does not act as a barrier to roll-out. Type: recommendation | Number: 12 | Paragraph: 60 | Response status: under_consideration Government response: The Government …
The Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, having assessed a number of different scenarios for meeting net zero by 2050, has estimated that electric cars will increase electricity demand by around 20% by 2050 and we wanted to understand …