Sam Payne, of the Conservative Environment Network, said: “The government has set an - perhaps overly - ambitious target for 95% a decarbonised power grid by 2030.
“But, this will require significant new generation and transmission infrastructure, which - if not consulted on properly - risk alienating local communities. If communities are not fairly compensated and consulted, there is a risk of increased long-term opposition, which will only delay the energy transition and risk us reliant on imported energy for longer.
“It is vital that community benefits, including financial incentives like bill reductions, are required for all renewable energy projects, to foster local support and avoid backlash."
A Department for Energy Security and Net Zero spokesman said: “As shown by independent analysis from the National Energy Systems Operator, clean power is achievable, and can create a cheaper, more secure energy system.
“Securing Britain's clean energy future will require improving infrastructure to get renewable electricity on the grid. Without this infrastructure, we will never deliver clean power for the British people.
“It is important we take people with us and are considering ways to ensure communities who live near new clean energy infrastructure can see the benefits of this, and we will provide an update in due course.”
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