UK and Scottish governments plan clean energy consent reforms

The UK and Scottish governments have announced a collaborative proposal to reform the consent process for clean energy projects in Scotland. The Department of Energy Security and Net Zero has outlined plans to modernize outdated legislation, aiming to reduce the approval time for large electricity infrastructure projects, which currently can extend up to four years.

This initiative seeks to bring Scotland’s approval timeline in line with recent legislative changes in England and Wales, which have halved determination times for similar projects. The proposed reforms include mandatory pre-application consultations with communities and stakeholders, streamlining procedures from pre-application to appeals, and introducing new powers for the Scottish Parliament in Holyrood to modify planning consents and standardize engagement requirements.

The consultation is launched alongside new efforts to support clean energy infrastructure, following the recent confirmation of Aberdeen as the headquarters for Great British Energy. Scottish authorities will gain powers to charge for pre-application services and wayleave applications, aligning with practices in England and Wales.

UK Energy Minister Michael Shanks emphasized Scotland’s potential to support the UK’s clean power goals, underscoring the importance of efficient processes to attract investments in Scotland’s clean energy future.