LONDON (Reuters) – Britain will fast-track the connection of dozens of clean energy projects, including wind and solar power, to its electricity grid and will speed up the construction of new energy infrastructure, the government said on Monday.
Under the existing system, which the government has described as a “first come, first served” process, projects are dealt with in the order they enter a queue regardless of how advanced they are.
But as the government seeks to accelerate progress towards a goal to decarbonise electricity by 2030, the new ‘Planning and Infrastructure Bill’ – to be introduced to parliament this week – will adopt a “first ready, first connected” approach.
Meeting the 2030 target will require the country to substantially increase its electricity transmission network. Expanding in the past that has been a slow process, as plans have struggled to win local support.
“Decisions for onshore and offshore wind, solar power, electricity grids, hydrogen, carbon capture and nuclear power stations will be fast-tracked to accelerate growth,” the government said.
New measures will speed up the approval process for nationally significant infrastructure projects by making consultation less burdensome, strengthening guidance and updating policy at least every five years to reflect priorities for infrastructure delivery, the government said.
The government hopes the changes will support its pledge to make planning decisions on at least 150 major infrastructure projects, including wind, solar, and hydrogen, in this parliament.
Further changes will also be confirmed to rules around attempts to block major infrastructure through the courts so that nuclear plants and wind farms can be approved and built faster, the government added.
Earlier on Monday, the government said that residents living within 500 metres of new or upgraded electricity pylons could receive reductions in their bills of up to 2,500 pounds ($3,230) over 10 years. The government said the discounted bills would help reduce opposition and planning delays.
“This will benefit the whole country by ensuring we build the clean power system we need,” said energy minister Ed Miliband.
Companies building new pylons, or substantially upgrading existing ones, will also be expected to fund local projects such as sports clubs or leisure facilities in affected communities.
Government figures show the average domestic energy bill in 2024 was 2,252 pounds, with electricity accounting for 1,143 pounds, and gas 1,109 pounds.
($1 = 0.7739 pounds)
(Reporting by Sam Tabahriti and Catarina Demony; Editing by Sarah Young, Christina Fincher and Hugh Lawson)
