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Renewable Energy

Asked by Mr Angus MacDonaldLiberal DemocratDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled Answered 9 July 2025UIN 64339

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent discussions he has had with renewable energy developers on establishing a statutory framework for community benefit payments based on a proportion of gross revenue.

Answered by Michael Shanks

On 21 May, the government published a working paper on community benefits and shared ownership of low carbon energy infrastructure. The paper seeks views on the proposed introduction of a mandatory community benefit scheme in Great Britain, which would require developers to contribute a set amount to a community fund. The working paper intends to gather insight into what level of benefit is appropriate and how best this is calculated. The government will need to consider the impact on operational costs for developers of infrastructure, impacts on bills, and meaningful level of benefit for communities.

The government maintains regular engagement with key industry and community stakeholders across the country, which continues to inform policy development.

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