Consultations

DESNZ is consulting on proposals to reform electricity grid connections for demand projects, particularly data centres, to address speculation in connection queues and prioritise strategically important projects. The proposals would use new powers from the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 to introduce queue management reforms and prioritisation mechanisms.

Government is consulting on reforms to tackle speculative demand grid connection applications that have caused the transmission connection queue to grow 460% in 6 months. The reforms will prioritise strategically important projects like AI data centres and industrial sites through stricter conditions, higher financial requirements, and a government priority list.

DESNZ is consulting on simplifying UK ETS regulatory requirements for carbon capture and storage (CCS) pipelines that cross multiple UK jurisdictions. The proposals aim to reduce the number of permits needed and streamline monitoring requirements by designating single regulators rather than requiring permits from each jurisdiction crossed.