Changes to Energy Infrastructure Planning Application Fees

Overview

The Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) is consulting on changes to application fees for energy infrastructure developments.

The Government’s Clean Power 2030 Action Plan emphasises the need to accelerate energy infrastructure delivery and commits to expanding cost recovery mechanisms across relevant regimes to ensure that all organisations key to consenting have sustainable resourcing models to manage service demands.

Moreover, HM Treasury’s guidance in Managing Public Money encourages departments to implement transparent and proportionate fee regimes that reflect the true cost of service delivery. DESNZ already charges fees for some of its planning functions, but they are not cost reflective and do not cover all functions.

We are proposing the introduction of a comprehensive cost recovery model for the planning services that DESNZ provides. The core proposal of a fixed fee model for planning applications will generate revenue that will be used to resource the service delivery function, supporting timely energy infrastructure planning decisions.

Other sector-specific consenting regimes exist across government, the proposals set out in this consultation relate solely to where DESNZ is responsible for processing energy infrastructure planning applications.

To support policy design, we are seeking views and supporting evidence in these key areas:

• The proposed fixed fee model and potential alternatives for the future.
• The proposed annual fee review cycle with associated cost adjustments and understanding implementation impacts.
• The possibility of additional indicative or targeted timescales for the determination of planning applications that do not have a statutory timescale.
• The proposed implementation date of the new fee model and development of guidance to support the transition for applicants.

We welcome all responses and envisage that this consultation will be of particular interest to:

• Current and future energy infrastructure developers
• Distribution Network Operators
• Institutions that finance energy infrastructure developments
• Other stakeholders that have a role or interest in planning processes delivered by DESNZ

DESNZ will analyse responses received and publish a consultation response in Spring 2026.