Energy plans for every part of Great Britain will be put in place by the end of 2027, mapping out what’s needed to upgrade the energy networks in every city, town and village in Britain.
Under plans revealed today (Wednesday 2 April), energy regulator Ofgem has given the green light for the plans to be drawn up for Scotland, Wales and nine regions in England, by the independent National Energy System Operator (NESO).
Each plan will set out what needs to be done in each area to protect security of supply, meet rising electricity demand and help to deliver a cost-effective route to net zero.
The Regional Energy Strategic Plans (RESPs) will coordinate the rapid expansion of local energy, scaling up clean power generation. Not only this, the plans will also look at the building infrastructure needed for decarbonising heating and transport, industrial clusters and hydrogen plants. They will also assess how local areas have different needs in terms of security of energy supply in response to extreme weather events such as storms.
This is the first time Britain has integrated national and regional energy planning – in doing so, it should ensure there is enough capacity available on the network, when and where it is needed to support decarbonisation of industry, transport and heat, alongside new economic activity, such as data centres.
Ofgem decision on Regional Energy Strategic Plan policy framework
Ofgem press release
NESO press release
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