Regional energy planning gets go-ahead

The system operator is to start work on ensuring local areas get the energy infrastructure they need for economic growth and net zero following the green light from Ofgem.

The regulator has now confirmed the activities that it has charged the National Energy System Operator (NESO) with as GB’s Regional Energy Strategic Planner.

The regional energy plans will work across electricity, gas, heat and transport to help drive local energy network investment.

Julian Leslie, Director of Strategic Energy Planning and Chief Engineer for NESO, said: “Regional Energy Strategic Plans are a major milestone on the path to net zero and meeting future local energy needs.

“We will work closely with local stakeholders and gas and electricity networks, to ensure that local communities play a central role in planning how they decarbonise and how their contributions support national strategic energy planning.”