Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to engage with the public on the construction of new electricity network infrastructure.

In England and Wales, the Planning Act 2008 requires developers to demonstrate that they have consulted adequately with communities and to ensure their feedback is considered and incorporated into any new projects.

Our objective is to ensure communities hosting transmission network infrastructure can directly benefit. The Government will publish guidance on community funds by Spring 2025. Our guidance will recommend early engagement with communities, ideally alongside initial project discussions.

The Government is also supporting the launch of a public communications campaign, developed by industry, to encourage public awareness of the importance of electricity network infrastructure in delivering clean power.