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Solar Power: Land Use

Asked by Alicia KearnsConservativeDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled Answered 26 July 2024UIN 220

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make it his policy to bring forward legislative proposals to require the solar industry to pay a standardised level of compensation to affected communities.

Answered by Michael Shanks

It is important for this Government that where communities host clean energy infrastructure, they should directly benefit from it.

We are aware that solar and other renewable developers currently offer a range of community benefit schemes including providing funding for environmental enhancements, job schemes, energy discounts, and investment in local infrastructure such as faster broadband, EV charging points or energy efficiency measures.

Government does not currently have a formal role with regards to community benefits for solar.

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