Community benefits for electricity transmission network infrastructure
Download the full outcome
Detail of outcome
This document details feedback received, the government response and the outcomes of the consultation which aimed to ensure communities can directly benefit from hosting electricity transmission network infrastructure.
The government believes that levels of benefit should be more consistent, and that the benefit type and level should recognise the role played by local communities which host transmission network infrastructure, so that they benefit directly.
Feedback from the consultation and social research showed that communities would prefer:
- a combination of electricity bill discounts and wider community benefits
- a mandatory scheme
As a result we are recommending:
- an electricity bill discount for properties located closest to transmission network infrastructure. The scheme design is still under development, but we estimate this could offer up to £10,000 per property (£1,000 per year, ~£80 per month, over 10 years)
- a wider benefit for the local community of around:
- £200,000/km (~£320,000/mile) for overhead lines
- £40,000/km (~£60,000/mile) for underground cables
- £200,000 per substation
We will work with industry, Ofgem and community representatives to ensure that the scheme detail and implementation works for communities, and can be effectively delivered and administered. We will review its effectiveness once implemented.
We will publish initial voluntary guidance on wider benefits in 2024. We will explore options and provide further information on developing a mandatory policy approach in 2024.
Upcoming webinars
We will host 4 webinars to provide an overview of the proposals in this government response, and to answer any questions:
- register for webinars aimed at individuals and community representatives
- register for webinars aimed at industry representatives
For any other enquiries contact cbnetworks@energysecurity.gov.uk.
Detail of feedback received
We received 234 responses from a range of organisations and individuals including:
- energy developers
- transmission network owners
- trade associations
- local authorities
- community groups
- charities
- consultancies
- individuals
We also held workshops with community and industry. Many respondents said community support for electricity transmission network infrastructure could be improved and that they would welcome new guidance.
Original consultation
Consultation description
23 May 2023
Stakeholders have indicated that they need more time to respond to the community benefits consultation. In response, we have decided to extend the deadline from 25 May 2023 to 23:45 on 15 June 2023.
If you have any questions please contact: cbnetworks@beis.gov.uk.
We’re consulting on a recommended approach to community benefits for electricity transmission network infrastructure.
The consultation is proposing to create voluntary guidance for industry and communities when developing individual community benefit packages. This guidance will cover how to deliver direct benefits payments to eligible individuals and wider community benefits. We also recommend establishing a recommended level of funding for community benefits in agreement with Ofgem.
In this consultation we are seeking to gain the perspectives and views of different stakeholders to establish an approach that is both fair and effective. This includes stakeholders who could be involved in:
- developing and delivering communities benefits
- communities who could receive community benefits
Planned engagement
We want to ensure that the proposals are developed with the input of all interested stakeholders. We therefore have a number of ways in which stakeholders can be involved.
We encourage you to respond to the consultation. We will also be hosting webinars throughout the consultation period to provide an overview of the consultation, to answer any questions and to gain your initial thoughts and feedback.
Sign up to the webinars using the links below.
Alongside the consultation, through consultants CEPA and Locality, we will be delivering engagement events over the next few months for industry and community stakeholders to help develop the guidance. We are also planning to seek the views of communities surrounding a number of proposed future network infrastructure projects, using surveys, workshops and interviews to understand views on community benefits. Potential participants will be contacted by a third-party research company that is delivering this on behalf of the department.
If you would like to speak with the team directly, would like to be involved in the engagement events, or if you have any questions please email cbnetworks@beis.gov.uk.
Read the consultation privacy notice.
Documents
Last updated 22 November 2023 + show all updates
-
Published government response.
-
Stakeholders have requested more time to respond to this consultation, so we have extended the deadline from 25 May to 15 June.
-
First published.