Public invited for views on local energy network planning
Preliminary new pathways towards a plan to ensuring communities get the local energy network infrastructure they need to meet a tripling in electricity demand by 2050 – driving economic growth and decarbonisation in every part of Great Britain - is being put out to public consultation today (23 September 2025).
The transitional Regional Energy Strategic Plan (tRESP) is the first publication in the journey towards transforming and improving local energy infrastructure, developing bespoke plans for Scotland, Wales and nine English regions. The new blueprint will help ensure that everyone – from city to hamlet – has access to the reliable, clean and affordable energy they need.
Energy needs are changing rapidly. The government has a plan to build 1.5 million homes over the next five years across the country, and data centres are projected to grow exponentially, as businesses continue to digitise.
Homes and businesses are making the shift to heat pumps and 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.
Julian Leslie, Director of Strategic Energy Planning and Chief Engineer at NESO, said:
The transition to a clean and affordable energy future will bring new and exciting opportunities to every part of Britain - and NESO wants to make sure the infrastructure is in place, where and when communities and businesses need it.
So, wherever you live we want to hear your thoughts. That way our transitional regional energy plan can be best tailored to your anticipated future energy needs, helping inform future investment in your local electricity network, and growing your local economy.
The planning of the distribution networks is currently led by the distribution network operators (DNOs) and Gas Distribution Networks (GDNs) – who carry electricity and gas at a local level to homes and businesses. However, the National Energy System Operator (NESO) has also taken on new responsibilities for strategic whole energy planning at a local level across every nation and region of Great Britain.
The transitional RESP will include pathways to guide the development of the local electricity distribution investment plans between 2028 and 2033. Once published in January 2026, the final transitional RESP will be used by the six DNOs to support the development of their next round of business plans.
This is in advance of NESO developing its full plans for each nation and region in 2027, which will consider all types of local energy needs – from new housing developments and industry to new data centres and low carbon energy generation.
Energy Minister Michael Shanks said:
We’re delivering the biggest upgrade to Britain’s outdated electricity network in decades and communities now have the chance to have their say on NESO's plans to ensure we have the infrastructure we need in the right places, to power homes and businesses for generations to come.
It forms a vital part of our clean energy mission in building an energy system that is cheaper, cleaner and more secure and protects billpayers – at the same time as supporting skilled jobs and economic growth across the country.
The consultation will run until 3 November, with the transitional RESP being published in January 2026. It follows over 2,000 people already joining public forums earlier this year to discuss the development of transitional RESP plans, alongside an industry working group.
Jack Presley-Abbott, Deputy Director of Strategic Planning at Ofgem, said:
The tRESP is a vital first step in strengthening accountability and coordination in distribution system planning. It will be a key input to Distribution Network Operators’ price controls. NESO has delivered at pace while building its capability and we welcome the collaborative approach taken with stakeholders.
Further refinement is needed ahead of the tRESP outputs for January 2026 alongside clarification of how NESO will build towards the first full RESPs in 2027. We encourage all stakeholders to engage with this consultation and the upcoming methodology consultation for ensuring RESPs in November.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
- The current consultation is limited to plans for the electricity distribution networks for 2028-33. The enduring RESP will provide a robust foundation for investment in future gas and electricity distribution price controls and a consultation on our proposed approach to this will take place in November this year.
- For further information about the transitional RESP, click here. To join explanatory webinars on the transitional plans taking place this month, go to 23 and 29 September.
- NESO will be producing RESPs for the nations and regions, as defined by Ofgem (Scotland, Wales, North East, Yorkshire and the Humber, North West, East Midlands, West Midlands, Central England, East, Greater London, South East, and South West.
- NESO will be consulting on its approach to the development of the eleven full RESPs in November 2025. The draft ‘RESP Methodology’ will set out the proposed development of the bespoke plans for Scotland, Wales and nine English regions. The first set of full RESPs will be published in 2027.