Morning, Thursday, 24th April 2025
Online
This conference will focus on next steps for renewable energy rollout and planning policy in the UK.
Stakeholders and policymakers will assess strategies and priorities moving forward for achieving the Government’s target of clean energy by 2030 as the Great British Energy Bill progresses through Parliament. We expect discussion to draw on NESO’s recent Clean Power 2030 report recommendations, and DESNZ’s subsequent action plan.
Policy and regulation
Delegates will assess the way forward for policy and implementation, looking at approaches for network expansion, fast-tracking planning for green energy projects, and engaging local communities, as well as priorities for onshore wind and solar, and what will be needed to achieve offshore wind capacity targets for UK energy generation. They will discuss priorities for regulatory and policy coordination, alongside frameworks for collaboration across the UK government, and with devolved administrations.
Planning reform and NSIPs
We also expect sessions to draw on recent changes to the National Planning Policy Framework, ahead of the likely introduction of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill to Parliament in the spring, as well as wider changes to the planning system. Discussion will look at implications of changes to the NSIP planning process recently announced by the Prime Minister that aim to speed up decision-making by reducing the number of legal challenges that can be taken against projects.
Innovation and coordination
Latest developments and priorities for innovation in renewable energy will also be considered, as well as what support will be needed from government, regulators, investors and the sectors involved to advance research, development and rollout, and commercialisation.
Skills and workforce needs
Further discussion is expected on the green energy skills pipeline, and how best to address concerns around current workforce availability and skills shortages to support a rapid transition away from oil and gas. Areas for discussion include next steps for reskilling and upskilling workers for a just and timely transition to clean energy, and priorities for engaging and including communities in the delivery of clean energy projects.
We are pleased to be able to include keynote sessions with: Michael Bingham, Deputy Director, Planning Policy, MHCLG; and Helena Charlton, Deputy Director, Renewable Electricity Delivery, DESNZ.
Overall, areas for discussion include:
- overview of clean energy goals and milestones to 2030:
- the future of planning policy to support clean energy rollout
- assessing the roadmap to clean energy by 2030:
- recommendations and objectives set by NESO and the Clean Power 2030 Action Plan - ambitions for offshore wind capacity, onshore wind and solar
- balancing rapid deployment of renewable projects with the need for careful planning - community engagement, and regulatory alignment
- addressing technical and logistical challenges in modernising the grid to accommodate renewable energy sources, particularly offshore wind and solar
- Great British Energy’s role in achieving the 2030 target - policy coordination across the UK government and devolved administrations
- priorities for scaling the renewable energy market:
- tackling challenges for offshore wind, onshore wind, and solar expansion - priorities for investment and innovation
- fostering community support and benefit-sharing in renewable energy projects - encouraging community-led energy projects
- addressing skills shortages in renewable energy sectors - strategies for reskilling and upskilling for roles in renewable energy - potential apprenticeship and training programmes
- next steps for planning reform to accelerate renewable rollout:
- options for fast-tracking planning and regulatory approvals for green energy projects without compromising on standards
- creating a more flexible and responsive framework to accommodate technological advancements in renewable energy
- aligning planning policies with the UK’s net zero goals by enabling faster deployment of renewable energy infrastructure
- enabling local authorities to more effectively support and approve small to medium-scale renewable projects within communities
All delegates will be able to contribute to the output of the conference, which will be shared with parliamentary, ministerial, departmental and regulatory offices, and more widely. This includes the full proceedings and additional articles submitted by delegates. As well as key stakeholders, those due to attend include parliamentary pass-holders from the House of Commons and officials from Defra; NIC; HM Treasury; Ofwat; GO-Science; CCS; and DECC, ROI.
