Written question asked by Andrew George (Liberal Democrat) on Friday, 27 February 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 3 March 2026. It was answered by Michael Shanks (Labour) on Monday, 9 March 2026 on behalf of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.

Electricity: Infrastructure

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps are in place to allow land rights negotiations and Section 37 applications to proceed in parallel.

Answer: Consent is required under section 37 of the Electricity Act 1989 to install or keep installed certain overhead electric lines. Land rights negotiations and section 37 applications can proceed in parallel. The Secretary of State would normally expect land rights to be in place before granting a section 37 consent, although as set out in the Guidance, in some circumstances he may consent ahead of this on condition that the work must not proceed until the relevant agreements with landowners and/or occupiers are in place.

Secondary information