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: 6 January 2026 — See all updates

Applies to England and Wales

Documents

National Policy Statements for energy: appraisal of sustainability main report (2025 update - applies to EN-1, EN-3, EN-5)

PDF, 1.52 MB, 293 pages

National Policy Statements for energy: appraisal of sustainability post-adoption statement (2025 update - applies to EN-1, EN-3, EN-5)

PDF, 339 KB, 47 pages

National Policy Statements for energy: appraisal of sustainability main report (2023 update - applies to EN-2 and EN-4)

Unnumbered command paper

PDF, 2.67 MB, 316 pages

Order a copy

National Policy Statements for energy: appraisal of sustainability main report (2023 update - applies to EN-2 and EN-4) (accessible webpage)

Unnumbered command paper

HTML

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National Policy Statements for energy: appraisal of sustainability - appendices volume I (2023 update - applies to EN-2 and EN-4)

PDF, 2.93 MB, 350 pages

National Policy Statements for energy: appraisal of sustainability appendices volume I (2023 update - applies to EN-2 and EN-4) (accessible webpage)

HTML

National Policy Statements for energy: appraisal of sustainability appendices volume II (2023 update - applies to EN-2 and EN-4)

PDF, 54.6 MB, 42 pages

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National Policy Statements for energy: appraisal of sustainability post adoption statement (2023 update - applies to EN-2 and EN-4)

PDF, 339 KB, 39 pages

National Policy Statements for energy: appraisal of sustainability post adoption statement (2023 update - applies to EN-2 and EN-4) (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)

HTML

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, nuclear energy generation. 

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.

An appraisal of sustainability was undertaken on updated EN-1 to EN-5 in 2023.

In 2025 EN-1, EN-3 and EN-5 were further updated and the appraisal of sustainability undertaken on the three updated NPSs (2025).

Appraisal of current EN-2 and EN-4 is provided in the appraisal of sustainability of EN-1 to EN-5 (2023).

Published 22 November 2023

Last updated 6 January 2026 + show all updates

1. 6 January 2026

   Added Appraisal of Sustainability report and post-adoption statement for 2025 versions of NPS EN-1, EN-3 and EN-5.

2. 13 November 2025

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

3. 17 January 2024

   Added Appraisal of Sustainability: post adoption statement.

4. 22 November 2023

   First published.