Electricity Network Infrastructure: Consents, Land Access and Rights

Overview

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 Call for Evidence, which sought views and suggestions for improving current land rights and consents processes.

Fair and proportionate land rights and consents processes are crucial to enabling us to meet the country’s need to build more network infrastructure. By land rights and consenting processes, we refer to the processes by which network operators gain the consent of landowners and/or occupiers of land to access their land in order to build and/or maintain network assets and by which they get planning permission from the government to build/or maintain the infrastructure. It is vital that these processes protect the rights of landowners, local stakeholders and the environment, while enabling the timely delivery of important infrastructure. Network investment is critical, not just for the energy transition, but also to support economic growth. 

However, the government recognises that, in some cases, the costs, complexities and delays associated with land rights and consenting processes can hinder or even prevent electricity network infrastructure projects from going ahead. Additionally, cases involving relatively minor changes to existing infrastructure can divert resource that would be better focused on more complex cases, where careful scrutiny and engagement are needed. 

Why your views matter

To ensure the system is fit for purpose, the government has reviewed existing processes to assess whether they are sufficient to support our clean power ambitions, Net Zero goals, and energy security transformation. This consultation is the result of that review and proposes a range of reforms to these processes to enable the rapid deployment of future network connections, while ensuring that the rights of landowners are respected. 

We welcome responses from any interested party. These proposals may be of particular interest to electricity network operators, energy developers, landowners, local authorities, and local communities.  

When responding, please state whether you are responding as an individual or representing the views of an organisation.

Your response will be most useful if it is framed in direct response to the questions posed, though further comments and evidence are also welcome.

You do not have to answer all the questions in the consultation. If you do not have an opinion or evidence to provide on a question, you can leave it blank.