Source · Select Committees · Environmental Audit Committee
Recommendation 21
21
Deferred
Paragraph: 94
Scope exists to accelerate grid expansion by authorising experienced third-party connection builders.
Conclusion
We recognise the rationale for the current restrictions on the commissioning and construction of connections to regional substations. The GB electricity network must be constructed to certain minimum standards which ensure coherence, reliability and interoperability, under arrangements which provide long-term certainty over responsibility for maintenance. Nevertheless, we consider that there is in principle scope to accelerate grid expansion by authorising experienced third parties to build connections which meet approved standards.
Government Response Summary
The government's response focuses on reviewing mechanisms for delivering community benefits and mitigating visual and community impacts from new electricity transmission infrastructure, rather than directly addressing the committee's suggestion of authorising experienced third parties to build connections to accelerate grid expansion.
Paragraph Reference:
94
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
Government agrees that it is important to build support for development by ensuring communities directly benefit. As such government is reviewing how to effectively deliver community benefits for communities living near new electricity transmission network infrastructure. Government is considering a combination of direct benefits for properties closest to new transmission network infrastructure and community funds, in the form of funding that developers and communities can decide how best to spend in their local area. We will set out more details shortly. Regarding visual and community impact mitigation, the National Policy Statements guide decision-making for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects in England and Wales, including large electricity network projects. These National Policy Statements cover criteria for good design, as well as criteria for addressing and mitigating landscape, visual, noise, and environmental impacts. The Government has separately agreed to progress a set of Electricity Transmission Design Principles (ETDP) which are being led by NESO. These are intended to provide clarity on infrastructure design in particular locations so that the design can be standardised as well as allowing for more meaningful discussion about choices with communities. In developing the ETDP, consideration will be given to minimising visual and community impacts. 13 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/electricity-networks-transmission- acceleration-action-plan