The Government has released its draft Electricity Networks National Policy Statement (EN-5) on the 9th November 2009.

The draft NPS highlights that new electricity generating infrastructure that the UK needs to move to a low carbon economy while maintaining security of supply will be heavily dependent on the availability of a fit for purpose and robust electricity network. That network will need to be able to support a more complex system of supply and demand and cope with generation occurring in locations of greater diversity.

This NPS, together with the Overarching National Policy Statement will be the primary decision-making guidance document for the IPC on nationally significant electricity network infrastructure in England and Wales.

This NPS covers the following types of nationally significant infrastructure:

• above ground electricity lines of 132kV and above
• other infrastructure for electricity networks that is associated with a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP).

This NPS does not cover lines below 132kV unless they are associated with a NSIP which will be determined by the IPC.

Energy & Climate Change Select Committee

Click here to read the RTPI's submission to the Energy and Climate Change Select Committee review of the Energy NPSs.

Consultation process for Energy National Policy Statements

The RTPI submitted its response to the National Policy Statements for Energy Infrastructure on the 22nd February 2010.

Planning Aid have also prepared summary sheets for all NPSs which can be found here.

For more information on the Government's plans click here.

Return to our National Policy Statement page.

Author:

Rebecca Coates

Publisher:

The Royal Town Planning Institute

Date:

09-Nov-09

Categories:

Policy 

Sections:

News & Media , The RTPI

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