- Planning and Infrastructure Bill will prioritise renewable energy projects
- Those living near projects will receive energy bill discounts
- ‘First ready, first connected’ to replace logjam system
The government has unveiled legislation that will prioritise hundreds of clean energy projects, including solar and wind power, as it looks to turn the UK into a clean energy superpower.
Publishing its Planning and Infrastructure Bill, the government said up to 150 solar and wind power projects will “jump to the front of the queue” as it rips up the “flawed first come, first served” process, which it claims has caused a backlog in projects being approved.
Instead a ‘first ready, first connected’ system that prioritises “homegrown clean power projects” that will build an “energy system that can bring down bills for good”.
The ‘first ready, first connected’ approach means those projects that have secured land rights, full planning consent and are at the planning stage will be prioritised.
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said blockers to clean energy projects have weakened the UK’s energy security and left consumers “exposed to soaring energy bills”.
“Through our landmark Planning and Infrastructure Bill we’re taking bold action to fix the broken planning system, paving the way for us to get Britain building more vital infrastructure so our children and grandchildren can grow up in a more energy secure world,” Rayner remarked.
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The Planning and Infrastructure Bill is part of the government’s Plan for Change, a multi-pronged project to help the UK achieve major social and economic goals, one of which is to become a ‘clean energy superpower’.
It is also part of its ‘Clean Power 2030’ strategy, which aims to have at least 95% of the UK’s energy generated by renewable sources in the next five years.
A huge factor in that is boosting the country’s renewable energy capacity, something that the Labour Party made a priority during the general election campaign it won so resoundingly in 2024.
Additionally, in the Autumn Budget it put forward plans to launch Great British Energy, a new national energy company, increased funding for the flagship Boiler Upgrade Scheme, and approved several solar power farm projects.
Included in the Bill are plans to give people who live within 500 metres of new pylons a discount up to £2,500 over the course of 10 years to ensure that those who host critical grid infrastructure benefit from supporting the government’s plans.
It will also instruct Ofgem to deliver a what’s called a ‘cap and floor’ scheme to unlock billions of pounds of investment in long duration electricity storage to store renewable power.
In regards to electric vehicles (EVs), the Bill will replace street works licenses with permits to accelerate the rollout of chargepoints, making it cheaper and easier to install them on public roads.
In Scotland, changes will be made to what the government calls “outdated” planning rules for new clean electricity infrastructure, such as pylons and onshore wind.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said the only way to get the UK off its “dependency on fossil fuel markets” is to promote homegrown clean energy.
“By taking on a broken planning system that puts the brakes on growth, this Government is driving forward with our clean energy superpower mission and Plan for change,” Miliband said.
“Every turbine, every solar panel, every cable we connect helps protect families and paves the way for a new era of clean energy for our country.”
Mark Reynolds, executive chair of Mace Group and Co-Chair of the Construction Leadership Council, commented that the UK’s planning systems are currently inhibiting growth.
He welcomed the proposed changes, saying they are are a sign that the government is listening to industry.
Does the Bill go far enough?
The Planning and Infrastructure Bill has been welcomed, but there are some who say it does not promise enough in some areas.
Dave A. Roberts, chief technology officer at EA Technology said while planning reform is overdue, the government must not forget the ‘last mile’ in the distribution networks that directly connect homes and businesses.
“To date, the UK’s done an exceptional job in using these assets to their full potential,” Roberts said.
“But as the government looks to build significant numbers of new homes and encourage new low-carbon technologies like electric vehicles and heat pumps, we should take care to invest in and upgrade the distribution networks as well.”
Giles Hanglin, chief executive officer at Apatura, urged the government to also make any infrastructure upgrades “smarter” and “not just focused on scale”.
“Having resilient energy system is essential for the UK to grow its renewable energy capabilities, achieve net zero aims and underpin economic growth – including new industries of the future – and achieve greater energy independence and security,” Hanglin said.
“These oven-ready projects are critical to rewiring and upgrading the UK’s energy system to harness its vast renewable resources and achieve greater energy independence and security.”
The Planning and Infrastructure Bill is currently awaiting its second reading in the House of Commons.
