National Policy Statements for energy infrastructure
Energy National Policy Statements provide planning guidance for developers of nationally significant energy infrastructure projects.
The energy National Policy Statements cover:
- the overarching needs case for different types of energy infrastructure
- natural gas electricity generation
- renewable electricity generation
- gas and oil infrastructure
- electricity networks
- nuclear power generation
The guidance makes it easier for decision makers, applicants and the wider public to understand:
- government policy on the need for nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs)
- how applications for energy infrastructure will be assessed
- the way in which impacts and mitigations will be judged
The 2023 revised NPSs (EN-1 to EN-5) came into force on 17 January 2024.
The 2011 version of the National Policy Statement for Nuclear Power Generation (EN-6) had effect for listed nuclear projects capable of being deployed by the end of 2025. We are in the process of preparing a new National Policy Statement.
National Policy Statements
Consultation
Alongside the November 2023 revised National Policy Statements for energy, we published the government response to the March 2023 consultation on the draft statements.
Nuclear siting consultation
On 11 January 2024 we launched a nuclear siting consultation to begin the process towards designating a new Nuclear National Policy Statement, applicable to nuclear power stations expected to deploy beyond 2025.
This consultation focuses on the overall policy approach before a further formal consultation on the new draft National Policy Statement.
Last updated 17 January 2024 + show all updates
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The 2023 revised NPSs (EN-1 to EN-5) came into force on 17 January 2024.
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First published.