Could the Energy Independence Bill finally unblock the grid?

It could soon be easier for electricity network operators to install cables, access private land and upgrade existing infrastructure, as the UK Government progresses a new Energy Independence Bill aimed at reducing delays to grid construction. 

Introduced to Parliament earlier this week, the bill proposes changes to the permissions and land rights that network companies need before carrying out electrical works.

Currently, securing the necessary permissions can be a lengthy process. Even relatively straightforward upgrades can be delayed while network operators negotiate access with landowners or obtain the necessary legal agreements.

One proposed change would allow network operators to install or upgrade underground electricity cables beneath private streets without first securing consent from the relevant street authority.

Operators would still be expected to seek voluntary agreements first, with statutory powers available as a last resort. Safeguards would include notice requirements, reinstatement of roads and compensation arrangements.

The Bill also seeks to expand statutory access rights. For example, a network operator installing new infrastructure might need to cross neighbouring land simply to reach the construction site. If the landowner refuses access, the operator can currently face lengthy compulsory purchase procedures.

Under the proposed reforms, operators could instead use statutory access rights in certain circumstances, provided the impact on the land is temporary. The Government proposes a three-month notice period for access across third-party land, while separate land rights would still be needed for the site hosting the infrastructure.

Changes to necessary wayleaves are also proposed. These allow electricity companies to install or retain power lines on private land when a voluntary agreement can’t be reached.

It’s no surprise to see the changes proposed. According to the Government’s consultation, some were seeing the necessary wayleave applications take up to 24 months to determine. It’s hoped that by going ahead with the reforms, the process might be more predictable and reduce unnecessary delays. 

The wider package would also raise the length threshold at which certain overhead line projects require consent through the nationally significant infrastructure planning process from 2km to 15km. Some projects would instead follow the separate section 37 consenting process under the Electricity Act 1989.

Network operators have already been looking for ways to tackle delays. In August, UK Power Networks began developing its Wayl-Ease platform, intended to simplify how land agreements are recorded and managed.

The proposed legislation would go further by changing the legal procedures themselves. However, landowner representatives raised concerns during the earlier consultation about expanding access powers, particularly for new infrastructure, and the Government has proposed additional protections and compensation rights.

New registration powers for electrical installers

The Bill also addresses a different problem for electricity networks: operators do not always know what electrical equipment has been connected to them.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) estimates that fewer than 40% of distributed energy assets, including EV chargers, solar panels, heat pumps and domestic batteries, are currently registered with DNOs.

Without accurate records, network operators can struggle to predict how much electricity an area will need or whether existing infrastructure can accommodate additional demand.

For example, a neighbourhood might have seen a significant increase in home EV chargers and heat pumps, but if those installations have not been reported, the DNO may not have an accurate picture of the additional load on its local network.

Installers already have notification responsibilities under existing arrangements, including G98 and G99 for relevant generation and battery storage installations. However, the Government believes registration requirements are fragmented and enforcement is ineffective.

The Bill would therefore give ministers powers to introduce clearer registration obligations, alongside monitoring and enforcement arrangements. The precise requirements and any penalties would be established through secondary legislation.

The proposals complement Ofgem's plans for a Central Asset Register, which would improve how information about smaller electrical assets is recorded and shared.

The Government is also supporting work to simplify installation notifications, potentially reducing the need for installers to submit similar information through several different systems.

What happens next?

Although the Bill represents a new legislative step, many of the underlying proposals were already set out in the Government's April 2026 consultation response.

The legislation must still progress through Parliament, and several measures will require further regulations or guidance before they can take effect.

The question now, however, is whether the reforms will shorten the time needed to secure land rights and complete upgrade, and how the registration requirements will work alongside existing notification processes, and what enforcement will look like in practice.