Guidance

Electricity network infrastructure – consents, land access and rights

Published 4 November 2026

Factsheet relating to the Energy Independence Bill.

Summary

This ambitious package of reforms is intended to support faster delivery of critical electricity network infrastructure by reducing unnecessary delays and streamlining processes for lower risk projects, while continuing to protect landowners, communities and the environment.

Why are we legislating?

Upgrading and expanding the electricity network is a national imperative and we can’t afford delay. We need a significant expansion of transmission and distribution electricity networks, after decades of underinvestment, to enable widespread electrification of the economy and a cleaner, more efficient power system. Demand for electricity is forecast to double by 2050.^{[footnote 1]}

The current consenting, access and land rights framework for electricity network infrastructure is not designed for the scale of infrastructure needed and can cause unnecessary delays and burdens in the system. Delays can be costly, diverting resources and increasing uncertainty. For instance, consumers could be left exposed to higher costs such as constraint costs (costs borne by consumers which arise by paying generators to switch off in locations where the network is congested and switch on in locations closest to where the electricity is needed) if build of network infrastructure does not keep up with demand. Great Britain will need around twice as much new transmission network by 2030 as has been delivered in the past decade^{[footnote 2]}. As well as expansion, we also need to upgrade and replace existing infrastructure to ensure it remains fit for purpose.

What are the government’s objectives with this measure?  

The government has committed to delivering cheaper, cleaner and more secure power. Our once-in-a-generation expansion of the electricity grid is central to this ambition. The electricity network transports clean power from where it is generated to the consumers and businesses who need it. Upgrading the grid will enable the rapid connection of clean power and reduce reliance on gas-driven wholesale prices. Building the network of the future requires infrastructure to be delivered efficiently – on time, cost effectively and fairly – which is what this measure seeks to achieve.

How will this measure deliver these objectives?

This measure will introduce reforms to ensure that consents, land access and land rights processes are proportionate, efficient and fit for purpose; reduce unnecessary administrative burdens; and maintain strong protections for landowners, communities and the environment. Processes will be modernised across the whole system, from necessary wayleave applications for land rights, to section 37 consent applications, statutory access rights to premises, works in private streets and vegetation management.

An improved planning and consenting environment will support efforts to accelerate the expansion and upgrade of transmission and distribution networks. Faster deployment of new and upgraded infrastructure will likely reduce constraints on the network which are managed by the National Energy System Operator (NESO).

Analysis by NESO indicates that accelerating the delivery of critical transmission network projects, and avoiding delays to wider network build, could reduce constraint costs in 2030 by approximately £4 billion.^{[footnote 2]} This potential saving is estimated to be equivalent to £40 - £50 for an average dual fuel household, relative to the scenario where delays persist.^{[footnote 3]}

Measures are likely to support the accelerated delivery of critical network investment. This would benefit end consumers, as faster deployment of new and upgraded infrastructure will likely reduce constraints on the network which are managed by NESO.

1. BEIS and Ofgem (2022) ‘Electricity networks strategic framework’ ↩

2. NESO (2024): Advice on achieving clean power by 2030 ↩ ↩²

3. Ofgem (2025): RIIO-3 Final Determinations Impact Assessment ↩