Renewable energy planning barriers
Planning system failing to adequately support critical infrastructure like onshore wind projects, hindering new capacity development.
692 items
4 sources
Strongest theme matches
Mixed across source types and ranked by classifier confidence plus text match strength.
Committee recommendation
100match
#5 - Ninth Report - Revised (Draft) National Policy Statement for Energy
If the Government’s targets set for renewables are not to be included within the NPS planning regime, the link between those targets and planning principles must be made explicit in respect of each technology or generation capacity, so that they are clearly understood by planning authorities and industry to facilitate the delivery of renewable energy infrastructure projects
Matched on
terms: energy, planning, renewable
Committee recommendation
100match
#19 - 4th Report - Accelerating the transition from fossil fuels and securing energy supplies
We are encouraged that the Government has now included one of the cheapest forms of renewable energy—onshore wind—in Contracts for Difference auctions and will consult on proposed changes to national planning policy to relax the de facto prohibition that has existed for the technology since 2015. We welcome these moves, while recognising that constraints remain. We recommend that...
Matched on
terms: energy, planning, renewable
Committee recommendation
99match
#17 - Second Report - Renewable energy in Wales
The UK Government must recognise that Wales’ increase in renewable energy development and generation may be significantly hindered by grid constraints if action is not taken. To mitigate this risk, the UK Government must work in collaboration Renewable energy in Wales 29 with Ofgem to plan anticipatory investment in Wales, so that the significant uplift in renewables generation...
Matched on
terms: energy, renewable
Committee recommendation
99match
#7 - Second Report - Renewable energy in Wales
This is a critical moment for the climate agenda. If the UK Government is to achieve its ambitious net-zero targets, it needs to have a subsidy programme that succeeds in attracting private sector and community investment in small-scale renewable energy generation. The UK Government should therefore, as a matter of urgency, explore re- introducing generation tariffs to the...
Matched on
terms: energy, renewable
Committee recommendation
98match
#20 - Planning processes remain a bottleneck for charge point installation, increasing costs and delays
Similarly, many planning processes were not designed with charge point operators in mind, causing unnecessary additional cost and time. The Department explained that it had recently announced a series of changes to ease planning barriers and make it easier to install a charge point, such as greater permitted development rights, and streamlining the consents needed to install charge...
Matched on
terms: barrier, energy, planning
Committee recommendation
96match
#16 - Second Report - Renewable energy in Wales
We received a considerable amount of evidence arguing that grid capacity issues are currently significantly hindering renewable energy deployment throughout Wales, and are likely to continue to do so in the future. If the UK Government is unaware of the severity of this issue, it would suggest that their engagement with stakeholders on issues affecting renewable energy development...
Matched on
terms: energy, renewable
Committee recommendation
96match
#13 - Second Report - Renewable energy in Wales
The UK Government should focus on maintaining a close working relationship with the Welsh Government, particularly in regard to major energy systems challenges such a grid capacity and port infrastructure. To facilitate effective collaboration, where renewable energy projects in Wales are under consideration, the UK Government should invite Welsh Government Ministers to attend and participate in the Ministerial...
Matched on
terms: energy, renewable
Committee recommendation
94match
#5 - Second Report - Renewable energy in Wales
The UK Government must address the funding gap for emerging marine technologies or risk negatively impacting their development. As a first step, Ministers from Her Majesty’s Treasury, in cooperation and coordination with Welsh Government Ministers, should arrange to meet with representatives from the marine energy sector as a matter of urgency to investigate the feasibility of introducing Innovation...
Matched on
terms: energy, renewable
Committee recommendation
94match
#4 - Ninth Report - Revised (Draft) National Policy Statement for Energy
We recognise that the inclusion of specific targets for the delivery of renewable energy infrastructure within the NPS would provide a clear indication of the Government’s intention to deliver net zero—and give practical application to this principle within the planning process. We acknowledge the Minister’s response that the Government’s targets for specific technologies are set out elsewhere, and...
Matched on
terms: energy, planning, renewable
Committee recommendation
91match
#37 - Planning system represents a major constraint on low-carbon energy infrastructure delivery
The planning system, nationally and locally within England and also in Scotland and Wales, is a major constraint on the timely delivery of low-carbon energy infrastructure. There are many reasons for this, some of which we do not cover in this report, and we acknowledge the need for effective controls where justified. But we are in no doubt...
Matched on
terms: energy, planning
Committee recommendation
90match
#4 - Second Report - Renewable energy in Wales
The Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme has been highly successful in supporting renewable energy development in Wales. However, emerging marine technologies such as wave and tidal require additional support to bridge the gap between innovation funding and CfDs.
Matched on
terms: energy, renewable
Committee recommendation
88match
#30 - First Report - Grid Capacity in Wales
In order to utilise the opportunities for renewable energy generation in Wales a system of anticipatory investment in grid infrastructure needs to be created and implemented urgently. In the government response to this report, we request further information on the nature of the changes to Ofgem’s powers and the timeline for this to be implemented. The UK Government...
Matched on
terms: energy, planning, renewable
Committee recommendation
86match
#6 - Second Report - Renewable energy in Wales
The Feed-in Tariffs scheme had been hugely successful in attracting investment in small-scale renewable energy generation. We are concerned, however, that its Renewable energy in Wales 27 replacement scheme the Smart Export Guarantee has been widely criticised by small-scale renewable developers as being too limited in scope and for its apparent lack of ambition. We are also concerned...
Matched on
terms: energy, renewable
Committee recommendation
86match
#2 - Fourth Report - Renewable energy in Scotland
The grid is critical for renewable energy to reach consumers. Urgent investment is needed in the grid to ensure that net zero targets are met. The grid needs to be reinforced and expanded to ensure that renewable energy generated in Scotland can connect to the grid and benefit the rest of the UK. We recommend that Ofgem completes...
Matched on
terms: energy, renewable
Committee recommendation
82match
#7 - Ninth Report - Revised (Draft) National Policy Statement for Energy
We acknowledge the Government’s view that the NPS should not be overly prescriptive to avoid discouraging the development of new technologies. We recognise that the NPS should also facilitate the development of new technologies in this fast-moving sector. We therefore recommend the clear alignment of the NPS with specific technology roadmaps. The Government should develop technology roadmaps with...
Matched on
terms: energy, planning
Committee recommendation
78match
#8 - Importance of aligning national land use, environmental, and planning policies for clarity
Stakeholders highlighted the importance of alignment between a national Land Use Framework, environmental policies and planning policies. Such alignment will help direct housing developments and nature conservation or restoration to appropriate locations. It will also help reduce confusion, avoid conflicting objectives, and support coherent decision-making and streamlined delivery. Crucially, it will provide clarity surrounding the application of planning...
Matched on
terms: planning
Committee recommendation
70match
#9 - Ninth Report - Revised (Draft) National Policy Statement for Energy
We recommend that the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy work with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to consider the potential merits of implementing a single National Policy Statement across sectors with sub-sector statements linked to different technology developments. Consideration of this change should be assessed in the light of flexibility and the ability...
Matched on
terms: energy
Committee recommendation
70match
#35 - Green infrastructure promotion within the planning system remains insufficient despite NPPF recognition.
We recognise and welcome the recognition of the importance of green infrastructure in the latest revision of the NPPF. However, we heard that more can be done to promote it within the planning system. (Conclusion, Paragraph 126)
Matched on
terms: planning
Committee recommendation
69match
#12 - Higher electricity prices significantly disincentivize consumer switch to electric heating systems
Electricity is much more expensive than gas in the UK because gas generation sets the marginal wholesale price and most levies are placed on electricity bills, rather than gas. This is a significant disincentive for consumers switching from fossil fuel to electric heating and a major barrier to decarbonising homes. Lowering the price of electricity relative to gas...
Matched on
terms: barrier, energy
Committee recommendation
69match
#17 - Review removing specific electricity distribution infrastructure from NSIP regime for faster delivery.
The Government should review whether some types of electricity distribution infrastructure should be removed from the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects regime and instead consented under section 37 of the Electricity Act 1989, to speed up delivery critical to Clean Power by 2030. These may include 132kV wood poles. (Recommendation, Paragraph 49) The role of community engagement in building...
Matched on
terms: energy
Committee recommendation
69match
#36 - Mandate prescriptive standards for green and blue infrastructure in all new and refurbished developments.
The Government should be more prescriptive on the standards of green and blue infrastructure in new developments. The Government should mandate initiatives like Natural England’s Green Infrastructure Framework in new and refurbished developments to seek to ensure high standards of green and blue infrastructure are applied consistently across local planning authorities. (Recommendation, Paragraph 127)
Matched on
terms: planning
Committee recommendation
66match
#6 - Ninth Report - Revised (Draft) National Policy Statement for Energy
The purpose of reviewing the current NPS was to update it to bring it in line with the Government’s Energy White Paper. However, since then, the Government has published a number of key policy documents which are relevant for the effective delivery of nationally significant infrastructure to deliver net zero. We recommend that before the final version of...
Matched on
terms: energy
Committee recommendation
66match
#8 - Energy Performance Certificates deter consumers from low carbon heating due to cost-based bias.
We are deeply concerned that Energy Performance Certificates, as currently calibrated, provide some consumers with poorly conceived advice and have a strong bias against low carbon, but initially more expensive, heating systems. As a cost-based metric, Energy Performance Certificates are not, as they stand, an effective tool for decarbonising UK homes. To the contrary, they are deterring consumers...
Matched on
terms: energy
Committee recommendation
66match
#6 - Ensure local planning authorities produce up-to-date local plans for appropriate development assessment
We recommend that the Government do more to ensure that local planning authorities are able to, and do, produce up to date local plans, to ensure that developments are being assessed by appropriate local policies, rather than being subject to the presumption in favour of sustainable development. (Recommendation, Paragraph 44)
Matched on
terms: planning
Committee recommendation
65match
#18 - Develop an urgent plan for repurposing the national gas network infrastructure
The Government urgently needs to develop a plan for repurposing the gas network. Whether hydrogen plays a role in our future heating system or not, much of the gas network will need repurposing, presenting an enormous and costly infrastructural challenge that is only likely to become more expensive. It is concerning that the previous Government’s preparations were only...
Matched on
terms: energy
Committee recommendation
65match
#15 - Produce engagement strategy to build confidence in electric heating for consumers and installers
The Government must produce an engagement strategy to set out the costs and benefits of electric heating and build confidence for consumers, installers and the supply chain. This should include a plan to tackle misinformation and introduce consumer and workforce champions who can share experiences of electric heating systems. Measures must be focused on supporting and encouraging those...
Matched on
terms: energy
Committee recommendation
65match
#15 - Avoid viewing nature as an inconvenience or blocker to new housebuilding projects.
The Government must not veer down the path of viewing nature as an inconvenience or blocker to housebuilding. In most cases housing delivery is delayed or challenged due to unclear and conflicting policies, land banking and skills shortages. Using nature as a scapegoat means that the Government will be less effective at tackling some of the genuine challenges...
Matched on
terms: planning
Committee recommendation
62match
#8 - Ninth Report - Revised (Draft) National Policy Statement for Energy
We note that the current review of the NPS for Energy is the first to have taken place in 10 years. In order to properly take into account the rapid pace of technological change in the energy sector and the need for significant progress towards meeting our net zero target, the NPS must be reviewed more frequently We...
Matched on
terms: energy
Committee recommendation
61match
#20 - Provide certainty on future electric home heating and clarify fossil fuel installation dates
The Government must provide consumers, installers and the supply chain with certainty that most home heating will be powered by electricity in future. It must also set out its view on whether new on-grid and off-grid fossil fuel heating systems should continue to be installed in homes from 2035 and explain how it will minimise the use of...
Matched on
terms: energy
Committee recommendation
61match
#17 - Set clear guidelines for ending new fossil fuel heating system installations
We are concerned that the Government has not set clear guidelines for the end of the installation of new fossil fuel heating systems on and off the gas grid. Without certainty, consumers, manufacturers and the wider supply chain lack the confidence that they need to make informed decisions. The Government should consider the lessons that can be applied...
Matched on
terms: energy
Committee recommendation
61match
#14 - Reduce policy cost difference between gas and electricity bills by end of 2025
We recommend that the Government, by the end of 2025, considers reducing the policy cost difference between gas and electricity bills, creating an incentive for households to adopt electric heating systems. The Government should do this carefully, recognising that almost all gas use is for essentials such as heating and cooking, differentiating gas from electricity. During this process,...
Matched on
terms: energy
Committee recommendation
61match
#13 - Public awareness of electric heating systems remains worryingly low, compounded by misinformation
Levels of public awareness of electric heating systems are worryingly low. Many consumers are simply unaware of technologies such as heat pumps, let alone their benefits and support available to them. This is compounded by misinformation and factionalism in parts of the home heating sector, which undermines the credibility of proven technologies and obstructs consumers from making informed...
Matched on
terms: energy
Committee recommendation
57match
#16 - Continued delay on hydrogen's role in heating creates profound market uncertainty
Delaying a decision on the role of hydrogen for domestic heating until 2026 continues to create profound uncertainty. This means that consumers are delaying their switch to low carbon heating systems and Ofgem is unable to prepare to regulate our future energy networks as effectively 62 as it otherwise could. With hydrogen trials being cancelled and a weight...
Matched on
terms: energy
Committee recommendation
57match
#11 - Government's indecision on hydrogen's role undermines low-carbon heating confidence and rollout
Uncertainty over the UK’s technological direction for decarbonising heat is undermining consumer confidence and supply chain development. In particular, the Government’s failure to decide on the role of hydrogen for home heating is obstructing the rollout of proven electric technologies such as heat pumps. Consumers, installers and the supply chain require long-term certainty to invest in low carbon...
Matched on
terms: energy
Committee recommendation
57match
#3 - Announce long-term home retrofit programme beyond 2026, including reduced schemes and relaxed criteria.
The Government must announce a long-term programme for how it plans to support home retrofit beyond 2026 in its Warm Homes Plan. This should include a reduction in the number of schemes offered; significantly relaxed eligibility criteria to prioritise uptake; funding commitments until at least 2035; and a strategy to facilitate area-based retrofit. (Recommendation, Paragraph 40)
Matched on
terms: energy
Committee recommendation
57match
#1 - Government's stop-start retrofit support schemes undermine long-term sector certainty beyond 2026.
There is a clear and urgent need to provide long-term certainty for the sector through the Government’s retrofit support schemes. Stop-start measures and short funding cycles have undermined the confidence of consumers, installers and the wider supply chain. The Government has not clarified how it will support retrofit beyond 2026, when key schemes are due to expire. (Conclusion,...
Matched on
terms: energy
Committee recommendation
57match
#9 - Align future national land use policies with all environmental targets and frameworks explicitly
Any future national spatial planning or land use policies, such as a Land Use Framework or Spatial Development Strategies, must be aligned with, and complimentary to, all environmental targets, frameworks and policies. These include but are not limited to: Environment Act 2021 86 targets, the Environmental Improvement Plan, Biodiversity Net Gain, Nature Recovery Networks, Environmental Land Management Schemes,...
Matched on
terms: planning
Committee recommendation
57match
#5 - NPPF's presumption for sustainable development prioritises economic growth over environmental protection
We have heard strong and repeated concerns that the environment could be sidelined in the presumption for sustainable development, and that the current revision of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) could result in unsustainable and speculative development. The evidence we received suggests that the presumption in favour of sustainable development, as currently framed, prioritises economic growth over...
Matched on
terms: planning
Committee recommendation
56match
#25 - First Report - Grid Capacity in Wales
We recommend that the UK Government strengthens the legislative framework to support the growth of community energy schemes. The Energy Bill provides a potential opportunity to do this.
Matched on
terms: energy
Committee recommendation
53match
#22 - Review clean heat market measures for effectiveness in increasing heat pump uptake.
The Government should review and assess measures designed to shape and influence the clean heat market, including but not limited to the Clean Heat Market Mechanism, to determine if they remain the most effective ways to increase heat pump uptake. (Recommendation, Paragraph 121) Workforce and skills
Matched on
terms: energy
Committee recommendation
53match
#21 - Require Government to publish plans and cost analysis for gas network repurposing by 2025.
The Government must set out comprehensive plans and an analysis of the costs and benefits for repurposing the gas network and clarifying who would bear the costs. It should set out a preliminary analysis by the end of 2025, including a clear timeline and a progressive approach to funding the costs. (Recommendation, Paragraph 120) 63
Matched on
terms: energy
Committee recommendation
53match
#19 - Decide on hydrogen's role for domestic heating by summer 2025 with Warm Homes Plan
We urge the Government to take a decision on the possible role of hydrogen for domestic heating no later than summer 2025, alongside the publication of its Warm Homes Plan. This should be informed by the existing evidence gathered through trials and independent analysis. (Recommendation, Paragraph 118)
Matched on
terms: energy
Committee recommendation
53match
#7 - Establish national warm homes advice service for England, linking consumers to trusted installers.
We recommend that the Government establishes a national warm homes advice service for England to signpost consumers to independent advice, trusted installers and financial options. This should be available online, over the phone and in person. While it may be publicly-funded at first, it should be affiliated with a retrofit workforce accreditation scheme that can signpost consumers to...
Matched on
terms: energy
Committee recommendation
53match
#6 - One-stop-shops prove successful in other countries for low carbon heating rollout.
One-stop-shops have proven successful in many neighbouring countries, especially when affiliated with a workforce accreditation scheme that signposts consumers to trusted installers. There are clear and tangible links between their introduction in countries such as France and the success of their low carbon heating rollouts and high levels of consumer engagement. Such an approach would be easily replicable...
Matched on
terms: energy
Committee recommendation
53match
#5 - England lacks a single, trusted source for free home retrofit information and advice.
There is a clear need for a single, trusted source of free information and advice on home retrofit that can be accessed via multiple sources. Such provision already exists in Scotland and Wales but does not in England. Consumer advice should also be better embedded within communities and the Government should seek to encourage the sharing of experiences...
Matched on
terms: energy
Committee recommendation
53match
#4 - Consumers lack awareness and access to impartial information on home retrofit benefits.
Many consumers have a fundamental lack of awareness of the benefits of home retrofit and where to access quality, impartial information and advice. This is preventing them from making informed decisions and delaying the retrofit of their homes. (Conclusion, Paragraph 50)
Matched on
terms: energy
Committee recommendation
45match
#29 - On-site Biodiversity Net Gain implementation risks increasing housing costs, undermining Government affordability aims.
We are concerned there is a risk that implementing Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) on housing developments may inadvertently result in unreasonable fees for residents or more expensive housing, which runs counter to the Government’s aim of creating more affordable housing. Communities of all socio-economic backgrounds should be able to afford to live in developments benefitting from onsite BNG....
Matched on
classifier match
Committee recommendation
45match
#7 - Amend NPPF's sustainable development definition to prioritise environmental sustainability and strengthen safeguards
We recommend that the Government should amend the definition of the presumption in favour of ‘sustainable development’ in the December 2024 revision of the NPPF to give greater weight to environmental sustainability. This should include strengthening safeguards against environmentally unsustainable, unplanned and speculative development. These revised definitions should be provided to the Committee in the Government’s response to...
Matched on
classifier match
Committee recommendation
41match
#33 - Enhanced Regeneration Programme offers solution if BNG requirements impact brownfield site viability.
In the event that BNG requirements do render brownfield sites less attractive or viable then the Enhanced Regeneration Programme could be an appropriate approach, particularly in areas that require housing growth but have struggled to secure investment, related to viability concerns. (Recommendation, Paragraph 117)
Matched on
classifier match
Committee recommendation
41match
#30 - Set out plans to control long-term costs of on-site BNG and prevent overcharging residents.
The Government should set out how it plans to control the long-term costs and implementation of on-site BNG initiatives, so they are delivered to sufficient standards and ensure unreasonable costs are not passed onto households; as part of this, the Government should consider the implications of third-party delivery models. In addition, the Government should explain to us what...
Matched on
classifier match