National Policy

New National Policy Statements

National Policy Statements are produced by government. They give reasons for the policy set out in the statement, and must include an explanation of how the policy takes account of government policy relating to the mitigation of, and adaptation to, climate change. They comprise the government’s objectives for the development of nationally significant infrastructure in a particular sector and state, including:

  • how this will contribute to sustainable development
  • how these objectives have been integrated with other government policies
  • how actual and projected capacity and demand have been taken into account
  • consideration of relevant issues in relation to safety or technology
  • circumstances where it would be particularly important to address the adverse impacts of development
  • specific locations, where appropriate, in order to provide a clear framework for investment and planning decisions

They also include any other policies or circumstances that ministers consider should be taken into account in decisions on infrastructure development.

EN-1 Overarching National Policy Statement for Energy (publishing.service.gov.uk)

National Policy Statement for Renewable Energy Infrastructure (EN-3) (publishing.service.gov.uk) 

National Policy Statement for Electricity Networks Infrastructure (EN-5) (publishing.service.gov.uk)