.jpg)
Local authority planners are at the heart of delivering the transition – and are under increasing pressure to assess a growing number of complex energy applications. That’s why we’ve partnered with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, Great British Energy and the Local Net Zero Hubs to create training and guidance that will support them to make confident, consistent and timely decisions on applications for low-carbon energy generation, storage and network infrastructure.
%20(1).jpg)
The planning system is what enables energy projects to move from proposal to reality, while ensuring impacts are carefully managed and benefits are maximised for communities and the environment, both locally and nationally. This places planners at the heart of delivering the energy transition.
But through our work with planners, developers and policymakers, we’ve seen first-hand the challenges of assessing these applications in practice. Resourcing challenges, skills shortages and growing caseloads are making it harder to assess a rising number of clean energy applications, many of which involve new or rapidly evolving technologies.
That's why Regen has partnered with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), Great British Energy (GBE) and the Local Net Zero Hubs to provide new guidance and training to support planners in assessing onshore wind, ground-mounted solar, battery storage and electricity network infrastructure applications.
👉 Assessing onshore wind applications
👉 Assessing ground-mounted solar applications
👉 Assessing battery energy storage systems applications
👉 Assessing electricity network infrastructure applications
Developed with input from industry, planners and government departments, the guides aim to provide a useful overview of each topic as well as a practical resource as and when applications come forward.
Each gives:
During February and March 2026, Regen delivered online training sessions for local planning authority officers through the regional Net Zero Hubs. We shared key information from the guidance and invited developers to share practical insights from real case studies, facilitating discussions with planners on the best ways to navigate planning challenges. Recordings of these training sessions are available through the Local Net Zero Hubs and will be published on this page shortly.
We recognise the vital role planners play in the energy transition and want to continue providing practical support to help them fulfil this role with confidence. This guidance will be updated to reflect any policy changes when the revised NPPF is published later in 2026.
This guidance is designed as a practical starting point, with further support available from Regen for authorities looking to go deeper. If you are in a local authority that's trying to move from net zero ambition to delivery, having the right data, networks and policy insight makes a real difference. Regen’s local authority membership is designed to support you with insights, peer learning and representation in national policy conversations. To find out more, contact Anna Cuckow.
Regen members can also join our planning working group, where we discuss policy updates, challenges and opportunities experienced by industry and respond to relevant consultations. You can register for the next meeting here. To discuss our work on planning, reach out to Holly Hoban.
Sign up to receive our monthly newsletter containing industry insights, our latest research and upcoming events.
