Vietnam approves national electricity development plan to boost renewable energy

The UK government has launched a consultation on proposed changes to its National Planning Statements (NPSs) for energy infrastructure, aiming to streamline the approval process for nationally significant projects and support the country's net zero ambitions. Draft updates to the overarching energy policy (EN-1), renewable energy infrastructure (EN-3), and electricity networks (EN-5) are open for feedback until May 29. The changes emphasize that planning authorities should give significant weight to the benefits of renewable and low-carbon energy generation when determining applications, aligning these considerations more closely with national planning policy. Projects contributing to Clean Power 2030 may be designated as critical national priorities, facilitating their approval. The revised NPSs will only apply to applications submitted after their formal adoption, ensuring that future decisions are guided by updated policy frameworks. These reforms are intended to make the planning process more predictable and focused on planning merits rather than broader policy debates.