Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 05 February 2026 [Draft]
05 Feb 2026 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Portfolio Question Time
Energy Projects (Community Engagement)
I will take that suggestion away. However, I want to make it clear that regulations relating to electricity transmission and distribution networks are reserved to the United Kingdom Government. That is why I was pleased that we reached an agreement with the UK Government on the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025, which recently afforded new powers to the Scottish Government to make regulations to mandate developers to engage with local communities and stakeholders. That has been voluntary up until now, and I think that that requirement will make a material change.
As I have said, I will take the member’s suggestions away.
In the same item of business
2. Douglas Lumsden (North East Scotland) (Con)
Con
To ask the Scottish Government whether the Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy will engage with community groups affected by new energy projects ...
The Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy (Gillian Martin)
SNP
It is essential that communities feel able to engage with our planning and consenting systems. The Scottish Government has recently taken steps to make it ea...
Douglas Lumsden
Con
My constituents are at their wits’ end. For months, the Government has refused to meet community groups that are seeing their communities trashed by pylons, ...
Gillian Martin
SNP
I will take that suggestion away. However, I want to make it clear that regulations relating to electricity transmission and distribution networks are reserv...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur)
LD
I have a number of supplementary questions. I will try to get through as many as I can, but they will need to be brief.
Paul McLennan (East Lothian) (SNP)
SNP
It is vital that we continue to balance the need to deliver net zero with the need to protect our natural environment, tourism and rural communities. Can the...
Gillian Martin
SNP
The Scottish Government jointly commissioned the National Energy System Operator to produce the first SSEP for Great Britain. NESO is engaging with a wide ra...
Sarah Boyack (Lothian) (Lab)
Lab
Given that Berwick Bank has now been approved, what is the Scottish Government doing to work with the developer and local communities to reduce the project’s...
Gillian Martin
SNP
Sarah Boyack mentioned a lot of things in her question and, as she has suggested, I will write to her with more detail on them. On the issue of the impact on...
Foysol Choudhury (Lothian) (Ind)
Ind
Members of the public must now submit their views on major projects through the energy consents unit portal. However, last week, a constituent said that the ...
Gillian Martin
SNP
I thank Foysol Choudhury for bringing that to my attention. If his constituents are having issues with the mechanisms that are there, I will take that back t...
Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con)
Con
Given that the energy consents unit has removed the email and online routes for objections, leaving postal submissions as the only option for community group...
Gillian Martin
SNP
We want to make sure that people are able to put their points of view forward. I have indicated that we have done some work with the UK Government on affordi...
Finlay Carson
Con
They are objections.
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur)
LD
Mr Carson, you have asked the question. Can we listen to the answer?
Gillian Martin
SNP
Thank you, Presiding Officer. It is only fair that I am given the chance to answer.
Finlay Carson
Con
Answer the question.
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur)
LD
Mr Carson.
Gillian Martin
SNP
I will write to the member. He might read that instead of not listening to me.