Strategic planning
NESO publishes first-of-a-kind transitional Regional Energy…
29 Jan 2026 - 5 minute read
On 30 January 2026, NESO launched a first-of-its kind transitional Regional Energy Strategic Plan …
Help to shape four areas of the RESP methodology - 27 February to 13 March
Strategic planning
20 Feb 2026 - 2
minute read
NESO is taking the next important step in developing the Regional Energy Strategic Plans (RESPs) Methodology.
In November 2025, we launched a six-week consultation on the RESP Methodology. The consultation invited customers and stakeholders to provide feedback on our proposed approach to regional energy strategic planning (RESP). The consultation closed on 16 January 2026 and we're currently analysing all responses, which will inform the final methodology. We are due to publish the final version in Summer 2026.
Four areas of additional work
Since closing the consultation in January 2026, we have been developing further detail on specific areas of the methodology. We anticipated this would be necessary when we published the consultation in November 2025, and had this view confirmed by Ofgem and customers and stakeholders through their consultation responses.
What are the priority areas?
We have undertaken work to provide additional clarity and technical depth on four areas of the RESP Methodology:
- Network planning assurance for gas
- Spatial context for gas and biomethane
- Whole system optimisation
- Specification of strategic investment need
Share your views - 27 February to 13 March
On 27 February 2026, we will publish a document to share the additional work we’ve undertaken and open a two-week window for feedback, from 27 February to 13 March. The feedback form will only be available from 27 February. During the feedback window you can share your views through an online response form, supported by slide packs which will summarise each area.
We are also inviting customers and stakeholders to provide feedback through the following channels:
| Event | Date | Time | Registration link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Launch webinar for priority areas | 2 March | 10 – 11:30am | Register |
| Interactive workshops | |||
| Specification of Strategic Investment Need | 3 March | 10 – 11:30am | Register |
| Whole System Optimisation | 3 March | 1 – 2:30pm | Register |
| Network Planning Assurance for Gas | 4 March | 10 – 11:30am | Register |
| Spatial Context Gas and Biomethane | 6 March | 10 – 11:30am | Register |
The launch webinar & Interactive webinars
The launch webinar will launch the document and two-week feedback window and explain the process for responding. The interactive workshops represent essential components of RESP and each is critical to ensuring a coordinated and transparent whole‑system planning approach.
Who should provide feedback?
We expect that the subject matter will be of particular interest to organisations and individuals with a more detailed level of knowledge and experience of energy system planning. However, we welcome feedback from all our customers and stakeholders, and will be making the document, feedback platform and webinars publicly available.
Questions or support
If you have any questions about the events or the RESP Methodology, please contact the RESP Team at [email protected]
