Onshore electricity generation - Electricity Act threshold: summary consultation responses

Introduction

1. On 30 December 2025, we published ‘Onshore electricity generation: Consultation on increasing the threshold for applications under the Electricity Act.’

2. This consultation sought views on increasing the 50MW threshold which determines whether applications for onshore electricity generating stations are decided by Scottish Ministers or by the relevant planning authority.

3. The consultation closed on 27 March 2026. We received 214 responses which have been categorised into the following respondent categories:

• Community and Individuals
• Development, Property and Land Management Sector and Agents
• Key Agency and Other Public Sector
• Planning Authority
• Professional Representative Bodies
• Third Sector

4. Annex A includes a list of all respondents and a breakdown of respondents per category. Of the 214 responses to the consultation, 194 were submitted online via Citizenspace, our online consultation platform. Wherever possible, late responses submitted have been considered within this summary.

5. We would like to thank all our respondents for providing their views in this consultation. This report is not a full analysis and does not aim to reflect every viewpoint expressed in the consultation responses. It provides a summary of common themes submitted to this consultation.

6. Full responses have been published online for all those organisations and individuals who gave permission to do so: Onshore electricity generation: increasing the threshold for applications under The Electricity Act - Scottish Government consultations - Citizen Space