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National Policy Statements EN-1, 3 & 5 on energy infrastructure

Having considered the responses to the consultation I am pleased today to be able to present three revised energy National Policy Statements for parliamentary approval. This represents an important milestone towards achieving government’s Clean Power and net zero ambitions. National Policy Statements are a crucial part of ensuring the planning system is fit for purpose. These revised NPSs provide greater clarity to developers and decision makers on government policy concerning specific types of energy infrastructure projects and ensure that decisions are made in an accountable way by Ministers.

Investment in our nation’s infrastructure is key to enable the growth the UK needs. The revised energy NPSs will ensure the UK has diverse sources of electricity generation, and that we remain at the forefront of low carbon technological development.

The revised NPSs I am laying today under Section 9(8) of the Planning Act 2008 set out national policy in key energy policy areas:

• EN-1 covers the overarching needs case for different types of energy infrastructure.
• EN-3 deals with renewable electricity generation.
• EN-5 deals with electricity networks.
• The supporting Appraisal of Sustainability and Habitats Regulations Assessment provide detailed environmental assessments of the updated NPSs.

I am today also publishing the Government Response to the consultation, to which there were over 180 responses, and providing the Government Response to the ESNZ Committee which reviewed the NPS updates.

I will deposit copies of all these documents in the Libraries of both Houses and they are available on GOV.UK.