Planning for onshore wind
The government updated planning rules for onshore wind in England in September 2023. These rules differ from those for other energy projects.
Overview
Infrastructure for energy spans from the generation of energy through the supply chain to transporting the energy to its end users.
At the generation end, energy is produced in many different ways, with fossil fuel extraction and infrastructure that turns those fuels into electricity, nuclear power plants, and various renewable technologies.
Once generated, energy must be transported. In the UK electricity is transported through the electricity grid, and mains gas for heating or industry through the gas network, but other fuels are transported outside of these central networks.
There is also infrastructure involved in the demand for and use of energy, such as electric vehicle chargers, and energy storage systems.
The supply chain for energy infrastructure is complex and in a period of transition as the UK moves towards decarbonisation, and the materials needed to enable this transition can include heavy-industry components like steel as well as critical minerals such as those used in batteries.
This webpage collects all our energy infrastructure research in one place, and the links below are to some of the various Library publications on this topic.
Briefings
-
-
Contracts for Difference Scheme
The Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme supports new low carbon infrastructure. This briefing provides an overview of the CfD scheme, statistics on the projects it has delivered, stakeholder commentary and changes to the scheme under consideration.
-
New nuclear power
This Commons Library briefing paper summarises current progress on nuclear power, including conventional reactors, advanced designs, waste disposal, and nuclear research.
-
Supply of lithium and other critical minerals
A Westminster Hall debate on the Supply of lithium and other critical minerals has been scheduled for Tuesday 23 April at 2.30pm. The debate will be opened by Steve Double MP.
-
Electricity grids
This briefing introduces the electricity grid in Great Britain, how it is operated and balanced, and how it may change to meet future energy needs.
-
Battery energy storage systems (BESS)
This briefing covers battery energy storage systems (BESS), concerns about their safety and barriers to their deployment.
-
Electric vehicles and infrastructure
The UK's electric vehicle transition could help meet climate goals, and cut drivers’ running costs. Challenges include upfront prices, charging infrastructure, and global trade issues.
-
Community energy
Community energy refers to energy projects that are wholly or partially owned and controlled by local communities. The projects can span generation – usually renewable or low carbon – or demand reduction such as energy efficiency.
-
Shale gas and fracking
A House of Commons Library Briefing Paper providing an overview of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) for shale in the UK, including the latest UK Government moratorium for England, the approach in the devolved Administrations, the regulatory regime (petroleum exploration and development licences, environmental, planning, health and safety), and information on seismic events.
More energy policy collections
-
Energy policy research
The Library’s research on energy policy, covering consumers, infrastructure, markets and prices, and legislation, is collected on this webpage.
-
Energy policy research: Consumers
See all the Library’s research on consumer energy issues including bills, grid connections, energy efficiency, domestic heat and power installations, and fuel poverty.
-
Energy policy research: Legislation
Various pieces of energy legislation have been passed recently or have been proposed by the Labour government. See all our briefings on this legislation here.
-
Energy policy research: Markets and prices
See the Library’s research on energy markets, including wholesale and retail markets, domestic and non-domestic industry prices, and energy security issues.
