"Expanding the grid at this scale will require coordinated action between government, industry, and local authorities. Even with streamlined planning, the sector faces immense pressure to deliver quickly and effectively"
- Gillian Froud - Bruton Knowles
Utilities and infrastructure specialists at national chartered surveyor Bruton Knowles have warned that the Government’s new Planning & Infrastructure Bill will push the sector to its limits, as it aims to rapidly accelerate the UK’s transition to renewable energy.
While the Bill is seen as a critical step toward decarbonising the energy grid by 2030, the scale of the challenge is unprecedented, says Gillian Froud (pictured), Head of Utilities & Infrastructure South at Bruton Knowles.
She cautions that although the Bill’s ambitions are welcome, delivering the necessary infrastructure will stretch the sector beyond anything it has experienced before — requiring a major expansion of the UK's energy network.
Froud commented: “The Planning & Infrastructure Bill introduces positive reforms, but doubling transmission capacity by 2030 presents an enormous challenge. Delivering more transmission infrastructure in the next six years than was built over the last decade will demand significant investment, workforce mobilisation, and streamlined processes.”
In related announcements, Labour has pledged to scale back green regulations to speed up the delivery of housing and infrastructure while maintaining commitments to nature recovery. Following a review that found the current system to be “outdated and highly complex,” the reforms aim to reduce costs and boost development.
Nigel Billingsley, Head of Utilities & Infrastructure North at Bruton Knowles, welcomed the move but urged caution: “Simplifying regulations will promote growth, but it’s vital that robust environmental protections remain in place to ensure responsible development.”
Among the Bill’s key reforms are changes to grid connection rules, shifting from a "first come, first served" model to a "first ready, first connected" approach. This is designed to cut decade-long delays, unlock up to £200 billion in investment, and fast-track renewable projects like wind and solar.
The measures aim to streamline planning, speed up approvals, and expand grid infrastructure to meet surging energy demands. However, delivering such rapid expansion will require overcoming significant hurdles — including navigating complex planning processes, securing land rights, managing supply chain constraints, and mitigating potential disruptions to existing energy supplies.
Froud added: “Expanding the grid at this scale will require coordinated action between government, industry, and local authorities. Even with streamlined planning, the sector faces immense pressure to deliver quickly and effectively.”
The industry must also contend with tight timelines, potential skills shortages, rising costs, and the need for innovation in technology and infrastructure.
Froud concluded: “The Planning & Infrastructure Bill is a vital catalyst for positive change, but the sector must now rise to the challenge. Without effective management of these challenges, the UK risks falling short of its clean energy goals.”
