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 energy
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
National Policy Statements
The 2023 revised NPSs (EN-1 to EN-5) came into force on 17 January 2024.
13 November 2025
In 2025 we consulted on draft updates to to EN-1, EN-3 and EN-5, and separately on a new NPS, EN-7 - see the Consultations section below.
We have published the government response to both consultations, and new draft versions of these 4 NPSs.
After a 21-sitting day consideration period:
- EN-1, EN-3 and EN-5 will be published and come into force
- EN-7 will be designated and come into force
Nuclear energy
EN-6 and EN-7 both apply to applications for development consent relating to nuclear energy:
- EN-6 applies to relevant to nuclear power stations deployable by 2025
- EN-7 will apply indefinitely to all nationally significant infrastructure projects using nuclear fission to generate energy
Assessments
Consultations
Updates to this page
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Government responses to 2 consultations (EN-1, 3 and 5, and new EN-7) published. Added link to National Policy Statement for nuclear energy generation (EN-7).
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Added link to new consultation on amendments to 3 energy NPSs.
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Added link to latest consultation on the Draft National Policy Statement for nuclear energy generation (EN-7).
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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.