Planning for new energy infrastructure: 2025 revisions to National Policy Statements
This consultation is open for responses
Respond to this consultationSummary
DESNZ is revising National Policy Statements EN-1, EN-3, and EN-5 to align with Clean Power 2030 targets, including bringing onshore wind back into the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects regime. The consultation on material changes runs until 23 June 2025. These NPSs guide Planning Inspectorate decisions on major energy infrastructure applications.
Why it matters
Re-introducing onshore wind to the NSIP regime removes a key planning barrier that has constrained deployment since 2015. As such, this structural change shifts the planning burden from local authorities to the national level, potentially accelerating deployment but centralising decision-making away from affected communities.
Key facts
- •Onshore wind re-enters NSIP regime for first time since 2015
- •Consultation closes 23 June 2025
- •Updates to EN-1 (overarching), EN-3 (renewables), EN-5 (networks)
- •Aligns with 95% clean power by 2030 target
Timeline
Areas affected
Related programmes
Memo
What this is about
DESNZ is consulting on material revisions to three National Policy Statements that guide Planning Inspectorate decisions on major energy infrastructure. The updated NPSs—EN-1 (overarching energy), EN-3 (renewables), and EN-5 (electricity networks)—align planning policy with Clean Power 2030 targets, which require clean sources to generate at least 95% of GB electricity by 2030.
The key structural change brings onshore wind projects above 50MW back into the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects regime. This reverses the 2015 decision that effectively pushed onshore wind applications down to local planning authorities, where they faced higher refusal rates and longer delays. The move reflects the government's recognition that local planning processes have become a critical bottleneck for renewable deployment. Other material changes strengthen the policy framework for electricity network infrastructure and update renewable energy guidance to reflect current technology and deployment needs.
How to respond
Deadline: 23 June 2025
Submission method: Email responses to energyNPS@energysecurity.gov.uk
The consultation focuses specifically on material policy changes rather than the full NPSs. Welsh language versions of the consultation document and sustainability appraisal summary are available. Responses should reference specific aspects of the draft NPSs being commented upon.
Source text
The energy NPSs are designated under the Planning Act 2008 to provide guidance for decision-makers on the application of government policy when determining applications for development in relation to NSIPs. The current suite of energy National Policy Statements (NPSs) were updated by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) in January 2024. In July 2024 the government launched a review of the energy NPSs to ensure they reflected government’s energy priorities as set out in the Clean Power mission. The government’s Clean Power 2030 Action Plan sets out the pathway to a clean power system by 2030 and was published in December 2024, as was its response to a consultation on proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system. These documents establish pathways to ensuring by 2030 clean sources produce at least 95% of Great Britain’s energy generation, including through the re-introduction of onshore wind into the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIP) regime. Following review of energy NPSs EN-1 to EN-5, government has drafted updates to EN-1 (overarching energy NPS), EN-3 (renewable energy infrastructure) and EN-5 (electricity networks). Some material updates have been made to these three draft energy NPSs which require consultation. This consultation is targeted to those material changes in policy. Other minor changes have been made to enhance clarity of the guidance; these are non-material changes which do not pertain to changes in policy. We have published the Consultation Document and Appraisal of Sustainability non-technical summary in Welsh language. We are happy to receive responses related to these documents via email to energyNPS@energysecurity.gov.uk until 23 June 2025.