Source · Select Committees · Welsh Affairs Committee
Recommendation 31
31
Accepted
Paragraph: 152
The grid network has been built piecemeal on the basis of the energy needs of...
Conclusion
The grid network has been built piecemeal on the basis of the energy needs of the nation over time. The energy system in the UK is changing and electricity grid network design needs to adapt to meet this change. We are encouraged to see the Government shifting to a more strategic, planned approach to the network and welcome the recent policy work to set this out. However, given the complexity of delivering new grid infrastructure, the urgency of net zero targets and the multiplicity of different actors involved in the sector, we consider that there is a need for a more joined-up approach, which ultimately must be led by the UK Government.
Government Response Summary
The Government is committed to unlocking the required investment to deliver a secure, resilient, net zero-ready network and is taking a leading role in a more strategically planned approach for electricity networks. This includes the publication of the HND and upfront consideration of community and environmental impacts to provide more certainty in the planning and consenting process.
Paragraph Reference:
152
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The Government is committed to unlocking the required investment to deliver a secure, resilient, net zero-ready network in Wales and across Britain, engaging across industry with a range of stakeholders to do so in time-appropriate manner. Strategic planning will be key to speeding up both planning consent processes and regulatory approvals by Ofgem, by providing clearer, upfront indications of strategic infrastructure needs. The Government is taking a leading role in this and set out in the BESS how we will move towards a more strategically planned approach for electricity networks, including the publication of the HND, as described above in Recommendation 3 and 13. The new strategic approach to network planning will provide a blueprint for the network, including upfront consideration of community and environmental impacts. This should provide more certainty in the planning and consenting process, reducing consenting times and risk for project development. This will help ensure strategic investment can be delivered by network companies in Wales and across Britain in a timely fashion.