In November 2024 the House of Commons Energy Security and Net Zero Committee opened its inquiry into Unlocking community energy at scale.
The aims of the inquiry are to:
- Identify potential solutions to the financial and regulatory barriers facing community energy projects, including how to establish local supply.
- Consider the role of the Local Power Plan in supporting community energy.
- Assess how reforms to the planning system, grid connections and the energy market could support the growth of community energy at scale.
In February 2025, the Committee published written evidence submitted by the RTPI in relation to the following questions:
- Should the local benefits of community energy projects be formally recognised as a material consideration in planning decisions?
- What should be the role of Neighbourhood Plans and Local Area Energy Plans in building local support for community energy projects?
