Source · Select Committees · Energy Security and Net Zero Committee
Recommendation 22
22
Acknowledged
Require NESO to present further details on strategic energy plan consultation and engagement.
Recommendation
At this early stage, we have yet to see sufficient evidence of NESO’s ambitions for societal engagement and public consultation being put into practice in the development of the SSEP and the CSNP. In the autumn, we expect to hear further details of: (i) NESO’s consultation strategy; and (ii) how the societal forums and stakeholder working groups have been contributing to the development of these plans. (Conclusion, Paragraph 62)
Government Response Summary
The government states that NESO is already undertaking extensive engagement, including focus groups and questionnaires, ahead of the public consultation in 2026. It agrees a comprehensive engagement strategy is critical, but does not explicitly commit to providing the specific update on NESO's consultation strategy and stakeholder contributions by autumn as requested.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
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.