How UK energy infrastructure reforms are accelerating the path to net zero
Energy infrastructure reforms: Advancing NSIPs and the grid to achieve net zero.
To meet the UK's ambitious net zero and sustainability goals, there has long been recognition of the need to expand energy storage and distribution capacity. Recent research by Drax and Imperial College London, for example, underscores the risk of "wasting" wind power due to insufficient storage capacity, highlighting a critical challenge in our renewable energy efforts.
However, it's not just about harnessing and distributing clean energy. Today's infrastructure, crucial for supporting the digital evolution of society, demands more energy than ever before. The rapid growth of AI data centres and battery storage facilities, driven by our increasing reliance on advanced digital tools, marks a turning point. These developments urge us to address the reality of our energy consumption; alongside the limitations we face in achieving a sustainable energy future.
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In the lead up to the UK general election, and since the Labour government took office, there has been a clear acknowledgment of the urgent need to enhance energy storage capabilities. Recent announcements reflect promising shifts in energy infrastructure policy and legislation that could accelerate the clean energy transition and bring us closer to the net zero future we aim for.
Grid reform: Streamlining energy connections
The National Energy System Operator (NESO) has proposed significant reforms to simplify the energy grid connection process and expedite the delivery of clean energy infrastructure. Central to these reforms is the removal of 'zombie' projects – speculative, delayed, or stalled initiatives that currently occupy space in the grid connection queue. This queue holds more than 750GW of proposed projects, contributing to delays in progress.
By prioritising 'shovel-ready' projects and introducing a revised system of connection charges, these reforms aim to unlock up to £40bn in annual investment. The changes are designed to speed up the connection of viable projects, bolstering the UK’s decarbonisation efforts while supporting economic growth and energy security.
Onshore wind reintroduced to the NSIP scheme
Earlier this year, the government announced plans to reverse a previous Conservative government decision that excluded onshore wind from the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIP) regime. As part of the revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), this change means that onshore wind developments can once again be designated and assessed through the same streamlined planning process as other major infrastructure projects.
This decision is widely seen as a positive step toward unlocking new onshore wind capacity in the UK, a critical resource in reaching renewable energy targets.
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Streamlining of NSIPs process
Another notable change has come via the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, which proposes removing the legal duty for developers to consult with certain stakeholders, such as local communities and landowners, as part of the NSIP process.
In a written statement to Parliament, the Housing and Planning Minister said that these consultee requirements were often viewed not as forums for meaningful engagement, but as “box-ticking” exercises that led to “perverse outcomes” and delayed progress.
This streamlining is intended to reduce bureaucracy and enable more efficient delivery of national infrastructure projects, especially those vital to the UK’s clean energy transition.
To support these streamlining measures, the Planning and Infrastructure Bill also introduces new requirements to ensure that National Policy Statements (NPSs) are kept current and fit for purpose. These have previously been updated in ways that left them misaligned with evolving industry needs. As critical documents guiding decisions on Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs), NPSs will now be subject to regular reviews at least every five years. This aims to ensure they remain responsive to changing infrastructure demands and emerging technologies.
A clearer path to net zero
Together, these reforms reflect a growing recognition of the urgency and scale of the challenge we face in decarbonising the UK’s energy system. By reforming the grid, reintroducing onshore wind into the NSIP process, and removing planning barriers, the UK is better positioned to unlock investment, deliver renewable energy infrastructure at pace, and move closer to its net zero goals.
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