Morning, Wednesday, 13th May 2026
Online
This conference will examine priorities for infrastructure investment and delivery in Scotland. Following the new Infrastructure Delivery Pipeline and the draft Infrastructure Investment Plan for 2027-28 and beyond, areas for discussion include implementation capacity, meeting long-term infrastructure needs, supply chain and climate resilience, and meeting goals for national economic growth.
Delivery pressures, scope for reform & implementation capacity
It will bring stakeholders and policymakers together to discuss priorities for the next phase of infrastructure planning and delivery, including how the Pipeline and approach to the Investment Plan can best respond to pressures around delivery timescales and cost inflation. Findings from the Key Agency Rapid Planning Audits will be discussed, alongside the potential opportunities to reform and simplify the planning and delivery processes. Delegates will consider implications of the application of the Planning and Infrastructure Act to the electricity infrastructure consenting system. The agenda will also consider what may be required to support effective implementation in practice. We expect questions of governance, capacity-building and accountability to be assessed, as well as what approaches and mechanisms might support clearer prioritisation and delivery of critical infrastructure.
Climate adaptation, place-based approaches & whole-system coordination
Discussion is expected on the implications of decarbonisation, resilience and climate adaptation objectives for infrastructure delivery, including what might be required in practice to align investment and delivery processes with statutory biodiversity targets, the Scottish National Adaptation Plan, and evolving climate risk planning. Priorities for aligning infrastructure planning with the Place Principle and the National Planning Framework 4 will be discussed, including strategies for delivering regional equity, sustainability, and reflecting wider objectives such as community benefit, place-based priorities and social value. Delegates will look at frameworks for coordination between national, regional, and local government, as well as sector delivery bodies and industry.
Investment strategies & sector-specific priorities
Strategies for mobilising inward and foreign direct investment will be considered, including the future role of investment partners such as the Scottish National Investment Bank, the National Wealth Fund, and UK Export Finance. Delegates will consider mechanisms for public-private financing and further collaboration through Scottish Futures Trust. Attendees will also discuss practical developments and sector-specific priorities across energy, transport, water and digital infrastructure, from grid enhancement and storage expansion to broadband rollout in rural and island communities, and how future programmes can attract strategic investment and support Scotland’s economic growth.
Overview of areas of discussion
- policy and coordination: alignment between the Infrastructure Investment Plan, National Planning Framework 4 and Scottish National Adaptation Plan: 2024-2029 - managing overlaps and gaps
- implementation: priorities and next steps for the new Infrastructure Delivery Pipeline - sequencing and affordability pressures - implications for delivery confidence and transparency
- funding: next steps for the draft Infrastructure Investment Plan beyond 2027-28 - stakeholder expectations and issues - options for reconciling ambitions with fiscal constraints
- delivery: construction sector capacity and capability - skills availability and development - supply chain resilience and cost inflation - practical implications for implementation timelines
- planning: implementation of Planning and Infrastructure Act reforms - effects on electricity and major infrastructure consenting - roles for local authorities and consultees
- climate adaptation and resilience: integration of statutory climate targets into infrastructure decisions - prioritisation of climate adaptation and resilience outcomes - investment choices
- investment and finance models: strategies for mobilising private investment - use of blended finance, public-private partnerships and tax increment funding - policy and regulatory considerations
- sector priorities: practical next steps across energy, transport, water and digital infrastructure - grid upgrades, storage and broadband rollout - regional and rural considerations
- public value: embedding social value and place-based priorities in infrastructure programmes - engagement and accountability - reflecting community outcomes in delivery decisions
