Putting communities at the heart of UK strategic energy planning
By Rebecca Windemer, 2 October 2026
Fellow's Profile
Rebecca Windemer
Fellow's Profile
Rebecca Windemer
UK strategic energy planning: lessons from Australia and New Zealand
Fellowship
- Themes
- Focus
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Improving community input into strategic planning for renewable energy and grid infrastructure
- Countries
- Fellowship year
-
2025
- Supported by
- Locality
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South West
Contact
Biography
The UK urgently needs to increase renewable energy generation alongside developing the necessary transmission infrastructure (pylons). However, such projects are facing opposition, and it is crucial that communities are involved in decisions about where infrastructure is sited. The UK is now beginning to develop its first Strategic Spatial Energy Plan, which will inform the locations of new renewables and pylons. While this plan should accelerate the energy transition, there is a risk it could lead to more opposition and delays if communities aren't placed at its heart.
I want to ensure that strategic energy planning occurs in a way that includes and benefits local communities as much as possible. Through my Fellowship, I will explore how Australia and New Zealand are addressing the challenge of community involvement in strategic energy and grid planning. I hope to use these insights to influence best practices in the UK.
With over a decade of experience in the energy sector, including roles as a lecturer and currently as Planning Lead at Regen, my career and research have focused on the planning system, community engagement and benefits from renewable energy.
Ideas
Disclaimer
All Reports are copyright © the author. The moral right of the author has been asserted. The views and opinions expressed by any Fellow are those of the Fellow and not of the Churchill Fellowship or its partners, which have no responsibility or liability for any part of them.
Ideas
Putting communities at the heart of UK strategic energy planning
By Rebecca Windemer, 2 October 2026
Disclaimer
All Reports are copyright © the author. The moral right of the author has been asserted. The views and opinions expressed by any Fellow are those of the Fellow and not of the Churchill Fellowship or its partners, which have no responsibility or liability for any part of them.
