The UK energy system requires a radical transformation.
The Clean Energy Superpower mission GB Energy Bill introduced by the new government recognise the urgent need to decarbonise our grid, enhance our energy security and unlock economic growth. However, delivering this national ambition alongside our national climate goals is held back by significant local delivery challenges. Grid constraints, planning barriers, and the fears around community buy-in threaten to slow progress. Local leaders, with their understanding of their communities and ability to convene stakeholders, are critical to overcoming these obstacles and accelerating the clean energy transition.Over the next five years, the role of local government in the energy transition will need to grow. As members of UK100, the only nationwide cross-part network of regional and local leaders committed to climate action, we, the undersigned local and regional leaders, call on the government to empower us and formally recognise our role. We propose the following key areas of collaboration between local authorities and national government to unlock place-based solutions that ensure the benefits of the transition are felt in communities across the UK.
Conditions for success
Implement Local Area Energy Planning Nationwide
Establish a national framework for Local Area Energy Plans with dedicated funding. Empower local and regional authorities to lead strategic energy planning, backed by resources from Great British Energy. Ensure plans integrate with local growth plans, local power plans and local plans, providing a consistent and joined-up approach to sustainable growth and the energy system transformation.Accelerate Renewable Energy Growth
Remove planning barriers and streamline processes for renewables. Allocate long-term funding to ramp up local, municipal and community projects. Develop a Community Ownership Planning Pathway for new infrastructure, ensuring local benefit. Mandate Great British Energy to grow the community and municipal energy sector with adequate funding for project development.Reform Planning to Prioritise Net Zero
Require all planning decisions to be compatible with Net Zero targets. Provide additional planning guidance and support for local authorities, including updated guidance for listed buildings and conservation areas. Develop a framework ensuring local communities benefit from renewable projects through job creation, investment funds, and reduced energy costs.Invest in a Smarter, Decentralised Grid
Develop a supply-side collaborative grid expansion plan involving local authorities, communities, and stakeholders alongside a demand-side public energy efficiency campaign. Reduce connection wait times for new projects. Invest in renewing the electricity grid to ensure a smart, decentralised energy system. Implement regulatory changes to maximise benefits of low-carbon, decentralised energy for communities closest to new infrastructure.Engage Communities as Partners
Support local authority-led deliberative processes on climate action and clean energy infrastructure. Launch a national climate action information campaign. Ensure transparent, inclusive decision-making in the energy transition. Develop community benefit frameworks for new energy infrastructure, guaranteeing direct local benefits from projects.Local leaders offer to:
Support:
The local implementation of the clean energy superpower mission, coordinating across sectors in partnership with stakeholders like the Distribution System Operators (DSOs) to create robust, place-based plans that accelerate the deployment of renewable energy and supporting infrastructure.Develop:
And implement Local Area Energy Plans that align with local growth plans, local plans, local power plans and the Regional Energy Strategic Plan (RESP) to provide a strategic framework for local energy transitions.Commit:
To up-skilling planning committee councillors while introducing inclusive engagement strategies that build public understanding of the renewable energy infrastructure required to deliver the clean energy superpower mission.Charter for Collaboration: Local leaders powering up the national clean energy mission
8 signatures = 40% of goal
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20
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8 Signatures
Latest Signatures
8
Martin Fodor
Chair of Environment and Sustainability Policy Committee
South West
Green
Oct 30, 2024
7
Hugh Goulbourne
Director
Industry Partner
N/A
Oct 29, 2024
6
Tracey Wye
Executive member for sustainability and climate resilience
Central Bedfordshire
Independent
Oct 11, 2024
5
Cllr Dan De’Ath
Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Strategic Planning & Transport
Cardiff Council
Labour
Oct 11, 2024
4
Richard Clewer
Leader
Wiltshire Council
Conservative
Oct 10, 2024
3
Cllr Lorna Fielker
Leader
Southampton City Council
Labour
Oct 09, 2024
2
Cllr Geoff Whittle
Assistant City Mayor – Environment and Transport
Leicester City Council
Labour
Oct 07, 2024
1
Carolyn Healy
Cabinet member
Telford and Wrekin council
Labour
Oct 06, 2024