Source · Select Committees · Energy Security and Net Zero Committee
Recommendation 16
16
Accepted
Arguments for different treatment of electricity distribution infrastructure hold merit.
Conclusion
We have not had the opportunity to consider the issue in detail. However, we believe that there is merit to these arguments, given that electricity distribution infrastructure is strategically important and can be much smaller in scale than transmission infrastructure. (Conclusion, Paragraph 48)
Government Response Summary
The government has consulted on reforms for electricity network infrastructure, including proposals to amend NSIP thresholds for distribution projects, and will respond and legislate accordingly in due course.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The government consulted, via the Electricity network infrastructure: consents, land access and rights consultation, on a series of proposed reforms to the land access, rights and consenting processes to enable the rapid deployment of future network connections, while ensuring that the rights of landowners are respected. The consultation ran from 8th July to 2nd September and the government will respond in due course. The consultation includes proposals to amend the NSIP thresholds for electricity network projects so that the thresholds better reflect nationally significant projects. The government has proposed removing 132kV wooden poles from the NSIP regime and extending the distance threshold from 2km to 10km for overhead lines which are classified as NSIP projects. Projects below this threshold would instead be consented under section 37 of the Electricity Act 1989. If, following consultation, government decides to amend the thresholds, this will require secondary legislation which would be introduced when parliamentary time allows.