NESO publishes first-of-a-kind transitional Regional Energy Strategic Plan

Strategic planning 29 Jan 2026 - 5 minute read
Wind Turbines In A Field with Sunset in background

On 30 January 2026, NESO launched a first-of-its kind transitional Regional Energy Strategic Plan (also known as tRESP) to inform the network investments by electricity distribution network operators (DNOs) between 2028-33. This plan forms a key part of NESO’s new responsibilities as strategic energy planner for the whole of Great Britain. 

What is tRESP? 

The transitional Regional Energy Strategic Plan is the first publication in the journey towards transforming and improving energy infrastructure at a local level, developing bespoke plans for Scotland, England and Wales. It is the first step to ensuring that everyone has access to the secure, affordable and sustainable energy they need, better aligning future energy needs to local ambitions. 

Energy needs are changing rapidly, and we see growing needs across Great Britain. We expect to see significant housing growth across the country, and the job creators of the future - whether industries or data centres - all mean increased demand for clean and secure energy. 

Homes and businesses are making the shift to electricity whether to heat their homes or to get around with the rise of electric vehicles. Increasing numbers of local renewable energy and storage projects are powering local communities. High users of energy in industry and transport are decarbonising, ensuring they can thrive in a global low carbon economy. 

Evidence-led and customer- and stakeholder-informed 

The views of customers and stakeholders have been key to the development of this transitional plan. Over 2,800 local stakeholders have joined three rounds of RESP Forums, since March 2025. Over 150 responses to the tRESP consultation were received, and nearly 2,500 submissions were provided by stakeholders to help NESO understand the strategically important energy needs in each nation and region of Great Britain. 

Throughout the development of the plan, NESO has engaged with Ofgem and the six DNOs to ensure that the final report can be practically used as part of DNO business planning.  

From a transitional plan to full Regional Energy Strategic Plans 

The transitional Regional Energy Strategic Plan will now be used by the DNOs to inform the development of their business plans for 2028-33. Customers and stakeholders are encouraged to participate in this work with their local DNO, to build on their input to the transitional Regional Energy Strategic Plan and help ensure that DNO plans reflect their needs. 

The transitional Regional Energy Strategic Plan will help to make the transition from the way that energy distribution networks are currently planned to the new full RESP approach. Beginning in late-2026, Full RESP will produce 11 holistic, whole energy, Regional Energy Strategic Plans for Scotland, Wales and England

Julian Leslie, Director of Strategic Energy Planning and Chief Engineer at NESO, said:  

“This is a key moment in the delivery of strategic energy planning that will shape Great Britain’s energy future and create a blueprint for the delivery of future local, regional and national energy needs.” 

“We have worked with customers and stakeholders at all levels to develop this transitional Regional Energy Strategic Plan, to help electricity distribution networks identify the right areas for investment as they develop their next business plans. We will continue this collaboration up and down the nations as we build on today’s publication to deliver bespoke energy plans that represent local energy needs and meet the future ambitions of the whole of Great Britain.”

Energy Minister Michael Shanks, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said: 

"This is a major milestone in modernising our electricity grid to ensure we have the right infrastructure in the right places to power homes and businesses across the country, supporting our clean energy mission. 

"These regional plans are part of a new, more strategic approach to better plan our energy system while protecting billpayers and supporting thousands of highly-skilled jobs across Britain.” 

Energy Secretary Gillian Martin, Scottish Government said: 

“We welcome NESO’s publication of the transition Regional Energy Strategic Plan today as an important first step in the creation of a more regionalised energy system.  

“We recognise the need for democratic decision making in local energy planning and the need to improve understanding of network infrastructure requirements in local areas to help drive investment.  

“At a national level, the outputs of the transitional and enduring RESPs will be very valuable, and the Scottish Government will continue to work closely with the NESO to ensure the plans consider the Scottish Government’s own energy ambitions, statutory targets and devolved responsibilities as well as Local Authorities’ statutory plans and strategies.” 

Rebecca Evans, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Welsh Government: 

“Wales urgently needs investment in energy networks to support a more prosperous Wales. We welcome the tRESP as the mechanism to bring together network companies and civic society to develop a shared view of the infrastructure we need to support Wales through the 21st century.” 

Jack Presley Abbott, Deputy Director – Strategic Planning and Connections, Energy Systems Design and Development, said: 

“The publication of the transitional Regional Energy Strategic Plan is an important step toward creating a more strategically planned energy system at a local level. Importantly, Distribution Network Operators can use the plan to inform the development of their business plans for the next price control period. 

It gives NESO a strong starting point for producing a full Regional Energy Strategic Plan that will support the drive towards clean power and benefit consumers in the long term.” 

Lawrence Slade, Chief Executive, ENA, said: 

 "Networks are committed to working with NESO and taking full advantage of the opportunities its role as a regional energy strategic planning coordinator presents to accelerate the long-term development of the grid and unlock the wider economic & social benefits of the clean power transition. We believe that this shift to longer-term planning will deliver a more efficient transition at the lowest-overall cost to customers, and we look forward to collaborating with NESO on ENA’s Sector Growth Plan.” 

Visit our dedicated tRESP website pages for more information, where you can find:   

Transitional RESP Launch Webinar | National Energy System Operator | 1-2:30pm 30th January 

A recording of the webinar will be made available after the event.