Source · Select Committees · Energy Security and Net Zero Committee
Recommendation 21
21
Accepted
Ensure comprehensive and targeted public engagement with diverse communities on strategic energy plans.
Recommendation
We welcome the National Energy System Operator (NESO)’s ambition for meaningful and comprehensive engagement with diverse communities, economic interests and societal groups throughout the development of the SSEP and the CSNP. At the very least, we expect the use of surveys, focus groups, roundtables, stakeholder meetings, events and webinars to engage with people directly. It is imperative that public consultation over these plans includes targeted engagement with communities who will see large volumes of infrastructure, clusters of projects, or energy infrastructure in their locality for this first time, as set out in the SSEP methodology. Engagement with these communities should raise awareness of the infrastructure which they are likely to see in the years to come. (Conclusion, Paragraph 61) 54
Government Response Summary
The government states NESO is already undertaking extensive engagement, including focus groups and questionnaires, ahead of its public consultation in 2026. It agrees a comprehensive strategy is critical and commits to a planning process that balances national needs with local interests, while also noting upcoming responses to NIC recommendations and the Planning and Infrastructure Bill.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
NESO is undertaking extensive engagement on the SSEP which is already underway, ahead of the public consultation which will be published in 2026. NESO is conducting societal engagement through various means including focus groups and questionnaires. We are committed to a planning process that effectively balances national infrastructure needs with local community interests. The amendments to the NPSs reinforce this commitment. The government agrees that a comprehensive engagement strategy is critical for the effective development and public acceptance of strategic energy plans. The government published the National Infrastructure Commission’s (NIC) report ‘Anticipate, engage, deliver: Local consent and the energy transition’ on 25 October 2025 which made recommendations to government, regulators, and industry on how to improve community engagement. The government will formally respond to the NIC’s recommendations in Spring 2026. However, the government has already committed to ensuring community benefit in its Clean Power 2030 Action Plan which sets out plans to maximise the benefits to communities from energy projects. In addition, the Planning and Infrastructure Bill will strengthen developer engagement with communities and local authorities, enabling the government to set requirements around consultation, engagement, and effective dispute resolution for nationally significant infrastructure projects.