Renewable energy planning barriers

#17 —

Welsh Affairs Committee

Recommendation: 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 …

Gov response: Regulation of the transmission and distribution network is a matter for Ofgem as the independent regulator. Government is working with Ofgem to help ensure that network companies play a full role in meeting our net …

Under Consideration

#7 —

Welsh Affairs Committee

Recommendation: 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 …

Gov response: The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) gives small scale low-carbon electricity generators the right to be paid for the renewable electricity they export to the grid. It 2 https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/990120/ UK_Government_s_Plan_for_Wales_May_2021__ENGLISH_.pdf

Under Consideration

#9 —

Business and Trade Committee

Recommendation: 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 …

Gov response: Government agrees that onshore wind is an important part of the energy mix, accounting for around a quarter of installed renewable capacity in the UK. As set out in the Energy White Paper and Net …

Under Consideration

#8 —

Business and Trade Committee

Recommendation: 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 …

Gov response: The government accepts the Committee’s recommendation. In line with government ambitions, the need for hydrogen in our energy system is set out in section 3.4 of EN-1. As noted above in the government’s response to …

Accepted

#7 —

Business and Trade Committee

Recommendation: 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 …

Gov response: At present, the government has no plans to create a single NPS for Infrastructure as part of its reforms of the NSIP process. Our strategies for infrastructure investment and performance are set out in the …

Under Consideration

#6 —

Business and Trade Committee

Recommendation: 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 …

Gov response: It is for the relevant Secretary of State concerned to consider whether and when to take forward any review under section 6 of the Planning Act 2008. circumstances which the Secretary of State considers make …

Under Consideration

#5 —

Business and Trade Committee

Recommendation: 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 …

Gov response: promote the scaling up of new technologies, where relevant these have been referenced in the draft energy NPSs. Examples of technology roadmaps associated with these include: • The Hydrogen Strategy9 published in August 2021 set …

Accepted

#4 —

Business and Trade Committee

Recommendation: 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 …

Gov response: We have updated the draft EN-1 to reflect the BESS, Net Zero Strategy, Hydrogen Strategy, and government’s ambitions for Hydrogen and Carbon Capture Use and Storage (CCUS). CCUS and Hydrogen are nascent technologies in the …

Under Consideration

#19 —

Environmental Audit Committee

Recommendation: 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 …

Gov response: 55. The Government is fully committed to increasing the deployment of onshore wind capacity, recognising the important role it plays in increasing our energy security and decarbonising our electricity supply. 56. As set out in …

Partially Accepted

#37 — Planning system represents a major constraint on low-carbon energy infrastructure delivery

Business and Trade Committee

Recommendation: 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 …

Gov response: 115. [Response provided by Ofgem] Ofgem recognises this is an important issue: the approach to RIIO-ED2 as well as the wider RIIO-2 price controls have sought to ensure consumers and consumer representatives are placed at …

Under Consideration

#20 — Planning processes remain a bottleneck for charge point installation, increasing costs and delays

Public Accounts Committee

Recommendation: 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 …

Gov response: 6.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendations. Recommendation implemented 6.2 The government’s vision is that all drivers can charge conveniently for both daily and long-distance driving and that there is a compelling, and visible, …

Accepted

#22 — Review clean heat market measures for effectiveness in increasing heat pump uptake.

Energy Security and Net Zero Committee

Recommendation: 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. …

Gov response: The government closely monitors the development of the market for clean heating appliances like heat pumps, and the impact of measures to support this. Certified heat pump installations were 43% higher in 2024 than 2023, …

Accepted

#21 — Require Government to publish plans and cost analysis for gas network repurposing by 2025.

Energy Security and Net Zero Committee

Recommendation: 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 …

Gov response: As we make the transition to become a Clean Energy Superpower, the government welcomes the Committee’s recognition of the need to consider the future of the gas network. This is set out in more detail …

Not Addressed

#20 — Provide certainty on future electric home heating and clarify fossil fuel installation dates

Energy Security and Net Zero Committee

Recommendation: 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 …

Gov response: This government is focused on incentivising moves to cleaner, affordable heating and making this attractive and easy for the public. Through our Warm Homes Plan we have already announced a range of measures to support …

Not Addressed

#19 — Decide on hydrogen's role for domestic heating by summer 2025 with Warm Homes Plan

Energy Security and Net Zero Committee

Recommendation: 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 …

Gov response: The government wants to provide strategic clarity on decarbonising home heating as soon as possible in order to best support our mission to make the UK a Clean Energy Superpower. To support this, the government …

Not Addressed

#18 — Develop an urgent plan for repurposing the national gas network infrastructure

Energy Security and Net Zero Committee

Recommendation: 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 …

Gov response: As we make the transition to become a Clean Energy Superpower, the government welcomes the Committee’s recognition of the need to consider the future of the gas network. This is set out in more detail …

Not Addressed

#17 — Set clear guidelines for ending new fossil fuel heating system installations

Energy Security and Net Zero Committee

Recommendation: 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 …

Gov response: This government is focused on incentivising moves to cleaner, affordable heating and making this attractive and easy for the public. Through our Warm Homes Plan we have already announced a range of measures to support …

Not Addressed

#16 — Continued delay on hydrogen's role in heating creates profound market uncertainty

Energy Security and Net Zero Committee

Recommendation: 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 …

Gov response: The government wants to provide strategic clarity on decarbonising home heating as soon as possible in order to best support our mission to make the UK a Clean Energy Superpower. To support this, the government …

Not Addressed

#15 — Produce engagement strategy to build confidence in electric heating for consumers and installers

Energy Security and Net Zero Committee

Recommendation: 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 …

Gov response: This government is focused on incentivising moves to cleaner, affordable heating and making this attractive and easy for the public. Through our Warm Homes Plan we have already announced a range of measures to support …

Not Addressed

#14 — Reduce policy cost difference between gas and electricity bills by end of 2025

Energy Security and Net Zero Committee

Recommendation: 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 …

Gov response: For the government to achieve the clean power 2030 target it is critical that our electricity price reflects the cheaper wholesale price of clean energy. As the Committee concludes, the current distribution of policy costs …

Not Addressed

#13 — Public awareness of electric heating systems remains worryingly low, compounded by misinformation

Energy Security and Net Zero Committee

Recommendation: 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 …

Gov response: This government is focused on incentivising moves to cleaner, affordable heating and making this attractive and easy for the public. Through our Warm Homes Plan we have already announced a range of measures to support …

Not Addressed

#12 — Higher electricity prices significantly disincentivize consumer switch to electric heating systems

Energy Security and Net Zero Committee

Recommendation: 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 …

Gov response: For the government to achieve the clean power 2030 target it is critical that our electricity price reflects the cheaper wholesale price of clean energy. As the Committee concludes, the current distribution of policy costs …

Not Addressed

#11 — Government's indecision on hydrogen's role undermines low-carbon heating confidence and rollout

Energy Security and Net Zero Committee

Recommendation: 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 …

Gov response: The government wants to provide strategic clarity on decarbonising home heating as soon as possible in order to best support our mission to make the UK a Clean Energy Superpower. To support this, the government …

Not Addressed

#8 — Energy Performance Certificates deter consumers from low carbon heating due to cost-based bias.

Energy Security and Net Zero Committee

Recommendation: 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 …

Gov response: The government is reforming Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) to better align them with our key policy objectives, including achieving Clean Power by 2030 and accelerating progress towards Net Zero. The consultation on EPC Reform, developed …

Accepted

#7 — Establish national warm homes advice service for England, linking consumers to trusted installers.

Energy Security and Net Zero Committee

Recommendation: 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 …

Gov response: The government recognises that access to trusted and impartial energy efficiency and clean heat advice is crucial. The government runs several digital services on GOV.UK, supported by a national phoneline, aimed at households. The government …

Not Addressed

#6 — One-stop-shops prove successful in other countries for low carbon heating rollout.

Energy Security and Net Zero Committee

Recommendation: 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 …

Gov response: The government recognises that access to trusted and impartial energy efficiency and clean heat advice is crucial. The government runs several digital services on GOV.UK, supported by a national phoneline, aimed at households. The government …

Not Addressed

#5 — England lacks a single, trusted source for free home retrofit information and advice.

Energy Security and Net Zero Committee

Recommendation: 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 …

Gov response: The government recognises that access to trusted and impartial energy efficiency and clean heat advice is crucial. The government runs several digital services on GOV.UK, supported by a national phoneline, aimed at households. The government …

Partially Accepted

#4 — Consumers lack awareness and access to impartial information on home retrofit benefits.

Energy Security and Net Zero Committee

Recommendation: 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 …

Gov response: The government recognises that access to trusted and impartial energy efficiency and clean heat advice is crucial. The government runs several digital services on GOV.UK, supported by a national phoneline, aimed at households. The government …

Not Addressed

#3 — Announce long-term home retrofit programme beyond 2026, including reduced schemes and relaxed criteria.

Energy Security and Net Zero Committee

Recommendation: 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; …

Gov response: The government recognises the need to set long-term programme of support for home retrofit to transform our ageing building stock into comfortable, low-carbon homes that are fit for the future. The Warm Homes Plan will …

Partially Accepted

#1 — Government's stop-start retrofit support schemes undermine long-term sector certainty beyond 2026.

Energy Security and Net Zero Committee

Recommendation: 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 …

Gov response: The government recognises the need to set long-term programme of support for home retrofit to transform our ageing building stock into comfortable, low-carbon homes that are fit for the future. The Warm Homes Plan will …

Not Addressed

#17 — Review removing specific electricity distribution infrastructure from NSIP regime for faster delivery.

Energy Security and Net Zero Committee

Recommendation: 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 …

Gov response: 18. The complex judgments involved in evaluating different options for electricity network infrastructure not only raise a strong argument for settling these strategic considerations at an earlier stage, but also heighten the need for affected …

Under Consideration

#36 — Mandate prescriptive standards for green and blue infrastructure in all new and refurbished developments.

Environmental Audit Committee

Recommendation: 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 …

Gov response: 111. The Government has no plans to develop mandatory training in ecology and the decarbonisation of buildings, or review current planning qualifications to ensure they adequately test knowledge of ecology and carbon literacy. As independent …

Not Accepted

#35 — Green infrastructure promotion within the planning system remains insufficient despite NPPF recognition.

Environmental Audit Committee

Recommendation: 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)

Gov response: 107. The Government agrees that strengthening early career pathways is essential to ensuring the planning system has the expertise it needs. Through MHCLG’s Planning Capacity and Capability Programme, we are already expanding national routes into …

Accepted

#33 — Enhanced Regeneration Programme offers solution if BNG requirements impact brownfield site viability.

Environmental Audit Committee

Recommendation: 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 …

Gov response: 100. The Government agrees that ecological expertise is critical within the planning system. We recognise the challenges local planning authorities face with capacity and skills across the board and are taking forward significant action to …

Not Addressed

#30 — Set out plans to control long-term costs of on-site BNG and prevent overcharging residents.

Environmental Audit Committee

Recommendation: 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 …

Gov response: 85. We believe that more can be done to encourage, incentivise, and implement environmental and sustainable practices across the construction products sector. This must be done in a proportionate way that also delivers on safety …

Under Consideration

#29 — On-site Biodiversity Net Gain implementation risks increasing housing costs, undermining Government affordability aims.

Environmental Audit Committee

Recommendation: 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. …

Gov response: 83. On 16 December 2025 Government published a consultation on a new NPPF which included proposed changes to the climate change policies of the NPPF. This includes a proposed decision-making policy on climate change mitigation …

Under Consideration

#15 — Avoid viewing nature as an inconvenience or blocker to new housebuilding projects.

Environmental Audit Committee

Recommendation: 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 …

Gov response: 48. As set out above, each EDP will need to contain monitoring measures which are sufficient to monitor the effectiveness of the conservation measures which have been implemented, and the effects of the EDP in …

Under Consideration

#9 — Align future national land use policies with all environmental targets and frameworks explicitly

Environmental Audit Committee

Recommendation: 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 …

Gov response: 27. The NRF has been designed to allow for EDPs to be brought forward covering a range of different environmental features. However, an EDP can only be made where the EDP would pass the overall …

Under Consideration

#8 — Importance of aligning national land use, environmental, and planning policies for clarity

Environmental Audit Committee

Recommendation: 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 …

Gov response: 23. The NPPF already makes clear that local planning authorities should take a sequential and risk-based approach to flood risk. In doing so, development should be directed away from areas at highest risk, and should …

Under Consideration

#7 — Amend NPPF's sustainable development definition to prioritise environmental sustainability and strengthen safeguards

Environmental Audit Committee

Recommendation: 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, …

Gov response: 21. The Duty to Cooperate was put in place to help bridge the gap in co- operation resulting from the abolition of regional planning. However, as a legal provision it has, at times, been difficult …

Under Consideration

#6 — Ensure local planning authorities produce up-to-date local plans for appropriate development assessment

Environmental Audit Committee

Recommendation: 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 …

Gov response: 19. On 16 December 2025, Government published a consultation on a new NPPF. This includes new policy on how development plans should reflect Environment Act requirements for Local Nature Recovery Strategies and Biodiversity Net Gain …

Partially Accepted

#5 — NPPF's presumption for sustainable development prioritises economic growth over environmental protection

Environmental Audit Committee

Recommendation: 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 …

Gov response: 11. This recommendation cuts across a range of plans, policies and tools, some of which are in the Town and Country planning system, and some of which sit outside the planning system and under different …

Under Consideration

#16 —

Welsh Affairs Committee

Recommendation: 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 …

Gov response: Regulation of the transmission and distribution network is a matter for Ofgem as the independent regulator. Government is working with Ofgem to help ensure that network companies play a full role in meeting our net …

Under Consideration

#13 —

Welsh Affairs Committee

Recommendation: 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 …

Gov response: We recognise the important role for the Devolved Administrations in contributing to the expansion of renewable power in the UK. My officials will continue to work closely with officials in the Devolved Administration and those …

Under Consideration

#6 —

Welsh Affairs Committee

Recommendation: 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 …

Gov response: The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) gives small scale low-carbon electricity generators the right to be paid for the renewable electricity they export to the grid. It 2 https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/990120/ UK_Government_s_Plan_for_Wales_May_2021__ENGLISH_.pdf

Under Consideration

#5 —

Welsh Affairs Committee

Recommendation: 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 …

Gov response: The UK Government recently ran a Call for Evidence inviting views on what scope there is for marine technologies across the UK. In addition, local authorities in Wales and elsewhere had the opportunity to apply …

Under Consideration

#4 —

Welsh Affairs Committee

Recommendation: 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.

Gov response: The UK Government recently ran a Call for Evidence inviting views on what scope there is for marine technologies across the UK. In addition, local authorities in Wales and elsewhere had the opportunity to apply …

Under Consideration

#2 —

Scottish Affairs Committee

Recommendation: 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 …

Gov response: Government recognises the need for increased capacity on the grid to support our net zero ambitions. While enabling increased flexibility and storage can address this to an extent, we are acutely aware of the need …

Under Consideration

#30 —

Welsh Affairs Committee

Recommendation: 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 …

Gov response: The significant opportunities in Wales for renewable energy generation will make a key contribution to the UK Government’s net zero target. The Government is supportive of the work that Ofgem is doing to ensure that …

Under Consideration

#25 —

Welsh Affairs Committee

Recommendation: 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.

Gov response: There are no legislative barriers to community energy groups building and generating electricity within the UK energy market, and so the Government has no plans to bring forward legislative proposals, at this time. As part …

Not Accepted