New Government, New Energy Policy?

Guest article written by Alex Lockton Director of Renew EV

On 17th July 2024 the Kings Speech unveiled a range of new bills for parliament including some key ones relating to the Energy Sector.

Two new renewable energy task forces will be established to design and support the wind and solar sectors in the UK. To develop a pipeline of projects for wind and rebuild the huge potential for what is often called the cheapest form of power in the world. The solar taskforce aims to produce a form of roadmap and prioritize rooftop solar.

Both of the above areas of focus could bring much needed further support for the farming businesses, especially in the area of on shore wind which remains largely untapped and could provide transformational cheap green power to a huge number of rural businesses in England.

One of the biggest headlines is the creation of GB Energy, which was included in the Labour Party manifesto, and which has now been formally tabled before parliament. Through GB Energy, it is expected that the community energy sector will receive one of the biggest investments in its history through a Local Power Plan, meaning thousands of new energy projects will have ownership by the communities near them. The Local Power Plan was included in Labour’s manifesto and indicated at the time there was potentially £400m for community energy sector in the form of development funding and loans being created alongside £600m for local authorities.

Alongside specific energy policy, planning policy has been targeted as a key area for change, with a new Planning and Infrastructure Bill. It is expected to deliver reforms of policp its expansion to meet the needs of the green energy transition.

DEFRA are also producing a Land Use framework, which will be linked to the Strategic Spatial Energy Plan. The Strategic Spatial Energy Plan has a role in setting out the project timelines and priorities for speeding up the roll out of the much-needed investments in the grid and major infrastructure. It does mean more power lines in some communities, but it recognizes the urgent need for this and the need to ensure communities benefit from this not only from the resulting cheaper energy bills but also in terms of financial benefits for those who live nearest those changes happening.

Outside of the Kings Speech the government has removed the footnotes’ 57 and 58 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) which had imposed a de facto ban for on shore wind in England. This means there is a major new focus for on shore wind made possible for the farming sector.

Overall, the critical planning, grid and regulatory reforms are happening and could have far reaching positive benefits for communities and businesses.

For more information on this contact Louise Cox on 07943 684215