Government pressing ahead with reforms to boost electricity networks

The Government is pressing ahead with reforms aimed at accelerating the progress of electricity network projects through the planning and consenting system.

The reforms follow a consultation by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero aimed at improving the existing framework for consents, land access and rights.

The Government said delays in the process can be costly, diverting resources and creating uncertainty for network operators and billpayers.

Its reforms aim to support the faster delivery of critical electricity infrastructure while continuing to protect the rights of landowners, communities and the environment.

Among the reforms are major changes to raise the threshold for small substations that can be built under permitted development in England to avoid full planning applications for larger local, many of which are needed for electric vehicle chargers and local capacity upgrades.