The UK’s journey towards a cleaner, more secure energy future hinges on how effectively the Government navigates a major shift in its energy infrastructure planning system. A new report from the House of Commons Energy Security and Net Zero Committee urges ministers to provide much clearer guidance for planners and developers as the country moves away from its outdated, market-based system.
Outdated ‘first come, first served’ system creating gridlock
For years, the UK has operated a “first come, first served” approach to connecting projects to the national grid, resulting in an application queue that is now oversubscribed by a staggering seven to eight times the number of projects that will actually be built. Crucially, these projects are not prioritised based on commercial viability, environmental impact, or the specific energy needs of communities across the country.
This disjointed system has created significant delays, with many clean energy projects, including solar and wind farms, stuck in limbo. As the UK strives to hit its Net Zero targets and secure affordable, reliable energy, reform is urgently needed.
More clarity is vital
In response to these challenges, the Government and the National Energy System Operator (NESO) have been developing critical national strategic plans, such as the Clean Power 2030 Action Plan and the Strategic Spatial Energy Plan (SSEP). These plans aim to map out the country’s energy needs and guide the development of infrastructure accordingly.
However, the Committee warns that there is still a troubling lack of clarity around how these national plans influence key decisions, such as grid connection approval and the planning consent process. Planning authorities, they stress, must not remain “blind” to a project’s realistic prospects of securing a grid connection—this should become a central consideration when granting consent.
Turning promises into reality
The report also highlights growing concerns over developers failing to deliver on promises made during the planning process, particularly regarding ecological enhancements and landscape mitigation. The Committee describes these shortcomings as “systemic failings” that risk undermining public confidence in the planning system.
Yet the potential for nature-positive infrastructure is significant. Scientific studies show that solar installations can boost biodiversity, often outperforming the farmland they replace. Despite this, current Government guidance on the use of agricultural land for solar projects remains “ambiguous and equivocal,” creating uncertainty for both developers and communities.
The Importance of Early and Meaningful Community Engagement
Another key recommendation from the Committee is for NESO to use strategic planning as a tool to foster early, transparent community engagement, long before formal consent stages are reached. Too often, local campaigns opposing pylons, solar farms, or wind farms emerge due to a lack of upfront dialogue or understanding of the trade-offs involved.
While many communities understandably prefer offshore or underground alternatives to above-ground transmission infrastructure, these significantly more expensive options ultimately raise energy costs for all UK billpayers, most of whom are unaffected by specific projects.
Evidence shows that when communities are properly informed, consulted, and involved in weighing up the options, initial opposition can shift, leading to smoother project approvals and quicker delivery of essential infrastructure.
Getting Planning Right: From Gridlock to Growth
Bill Esterson MP, Chair of the Energy Security and Net Zero Committee, emphasised the opportunity for transformation: “If the Government gets planning for major energy projects right, we can move from gridlock to growth, delivering cleaner, cheaper energy to communities across the UK and moving to a more secure future.
“That means early engagement and support for those hosting pylons, solar, and wind farms. It means sorting the balance out between the need for a grid connection and securing planning consent. And it means consistency between different government plans.”
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