In Scotland, certain applications in relation to energy infrastructure are made to the Scottish Ministers for determination.
These cases are administered by the Energy Consents Unit. The following applications are considered by the Scottish Ministers:
Applications for consent for the construction, extension and operation of electricity generating stations with capacity in excess of 50 megawatts (applications below this threshold are made to the relevant local planning authority);
Applications for the installation of certain overhead electric lines and associated infrastructure;
Applications for necessary wayleaves to confer rights over land to install electric lines;
Compulsory purchase orders promoted under the Electricity Act 1989;
Applications for consent for large gas and oil pipelines.
Members of the public seeking to make representations please e-mail them to representations@gov.scot
Submission of applications over the Festive period
If your section 36 or section 37 application is uploaded after 17 November 2025 it will be received and acknowledged by Energy Consents Unit, however the documentation shall not be published on our website until the following year. Publication on this site, and application consultation will take place in January 2026 as agreed with the case officer. Further detail is available via our Stakeholder letter (dated August 2025) which is viewable on the help page of this site ('stakeholder engagement letter') 18 Aug 2025.
Such applications cover new developments as well as modifications to existing developments. Applications below these thresholds are made to the relevant local planning authority. Applications for marine energy (e.g. wave, tidal and offshore wind) are made to Marine Scotland.
Search current and past applications