Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he plans to take to (a) help decrease planning delays for energy infrastructure projects and (b) engage with the public on those projects.

In December 2024, the Government published the Clean Power 2030 Action Plan which sets out an ambitious package of legislative and non-legislative reforms to our planning system to accelerate the development of energy infrastructure. The Government is currently progressing the Planning and Infrastructure Bill through parliament with measures to streamline planning processes for critical infrastructure, including energy projects.

The Government wants communities to continue to participate in the planning system and as a part of the examination process, have their say in decisions which may affect them. The Government has committed to ensuring communities benefit from new energy infrastructure they host.