Regen and the University of Exeter have submitted a joint response to DESNZ’s consultation on bill discounts for transmission network infrastructure. We welcome proposals to provide a range of community benefits to those affected by new transmission infrastructure, but call for further consideration of who will be eligible and how the scheme is communicated.
This joint response by Regen’s planning lead, Rebecca Windemer, and Professor Patrick Devine-Wright, director of the University of Exeter’s ACCESS Network, draws on research and lessons from international case studies, including Irish grid operator EirGrid's pilot community fund.
We welcome the government’s proposals to provide a range of community benefits to those affected by new transmission network infrastructure. We particularly support the combination of direct bill discounts, wider community funds and guidance on good engagement, which together can deliver meaningful local value.
Our response focuses on a small number of specific areas where further consideration could help ensure the scheme achieves its intended benefits while keeping fairness at its core.
It is essential that decisions on the scheme are not taken in isolation. Clear and accessible communication with communities, procedural fairness and robust monitoring will be key to maintaining trust and ensuring the scheme delivers its benefits equitably.
Regen continues to work in this area to ensure that transmission upgrades happen in a way that best involves and supports local communities. If you’d like to discuss this topic further, please get in touch with Rebecca Windemer, or register to attend our next members' planning working group.
Advancing Capacity for Climate and Social Science (ACCESS) is a five-year ESRC-funded programme bringing together academic and stakeholder partners to ensure environmental policy is grounded in robust evidence and social insight. Rebecca Windemer is a fellow of the ACCESS Leadership College – a cohort of 20 emerging leaders working in environmental social science.
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