Impact assessment

National Policy Statements for energy: appraisal of sustainability

The likely significant sustainability effects of developing new energy infrastructure of the types covered by the National Policy Statements for energy.

• From: Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
• Published: 22 November 2023
• Last updated: 13 November 2025 — See all updates

Applies to England and Wales

Documents

National Policy Statements for energy (EN-1 - EN-5): appraisal of sustainability - main report

Unnumbered command paper

PDF, 2.67 MB, 316 pages

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National Policy Statements for energy (EN-1 - EN-5): appraisal of sustainability - main report (accessible webpage)

Unnumbered command paper

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National Policy Statements for energy (EN-1 - EN-5): appraisal of sustainability - appendices volume I

PDF, 2.93 MB, 350 pages

National Policy Statements for energy (EN-1 - EN-5): appraisal of sustainability - appendices volume I (accessible webpage)

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National Policy Statements for energy (EN-1 - EN-5): appraisal of sustainability - appendices volume II

PDF, 54.6 MB, 42 pages

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National Policy Statements for energy (EN-1 - EN-5): appraisal of sustainability - post adoption statement

PDF, 339 KB, 39 pages

National Policy Statements for energy (EN-1 - EN-5): appraisal of sustainability - post adoption statement (accessible webpage)

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National Policy Statement for nuclear energy generation (EN-7): appraisal of sustainability

PDF, 1.31 MB, 243 pages

National Policy Statement for nuclear energy generation (EN-7): appraisal of sustainability - post adoption statement

PDF, 410 KB, 54 pages

National Policy Statement for nuclear energy generation (EN-7): appraisal of sustainability - post adoption statement (accessible webpage)

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Details

The energy National Policy Statements cover the overarching needs case for different types of energy infrastructure, fossil fuel electricity generation, renewable electricity generation, gas and oil infrastructure, electricity networks. 

The appraisal of sustainability sets out the likely significant sustainability effects of developing new energy infrastructure of the types envisaged by:

• the energy NPSs as a whole (EN-1)
• for each technology (EN-2 to EN-5, and EN-7)

It also indicates how the NPSs are consistent with the principles of sustainable development more generally.

Published 22 November 2023

Last updated 13 November 2025 + show all updates

1. 13 November 2025

   Added National Policy Statement for nuclear energy generation (EN-7) appraisal of sustainability report and post-adoption statement.

2. 17 January 2024

   Added Appraisal of Sustainability: post adoption statement.

3. 22 November 2023

   First published.