Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of extending incentives for communities to host onshore wind projects to (a) nuclear and (b) other low-carbon generation projects.

The Government wants all communities to benefit from hosting energy technologies in their local areas. However, Government does not have a formal role with regards to community benefits for low-carbon energy projects. These are best agreed at a local level between the operators and the local community.

Many low-carbon energy developers already offer a range of community benefit schemes, including providing funding for environmental enhancements, job schemes, energy discounts, and investment in local infrastructure.

The Government will seek alignment and consistency between energy technologies where appropriate, but believes it is important that the approach to community benefits for each technology reflects their unique impacts.