A new collaboration led by UK Power Networks, in partnership with National Grid Electricity Distribution and Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks, aims to expedite and harmonise local energy planning for authorities across the UK.
The initiative has developed a standardised ‘Local Authority Common Ask’ to facilitate the sharing of detailed spatial forecasts, including outputs from Local Area Energy Planning (LAEP). These plans serve as a framework for local energy strategies, aligning development and decarbonisation goals with future network investments.
This change is set to benefit the 54 local authorities whose jurisdictions overlap multiple networks. The new system allows councils to share data in a uniform format, irrespective of the number or type of networks in their area, reducing the complexities of dealing with diverse formats and assumptions.
The project follows prior cross-sector collaborations involving Cadent and SGN, stemming from the Energy Networks Association’s Open Networks project initiated in 2020.
Proponents argue the scheme will cut the time and expense local authorities spend on data sharing by standardising LAEP outcomes for faster interpretation. The template aims to streamline council decision-making in areas such as heat, transport, and energy infrastructure planning.
Additionally, the project seeks to enhance the consistency and quality of data in network planning and investment, including Distribution Future Energy Scenarios (DFES) and Distribution Network Options Assessment (DNOA). Improved forecasting should lead to more efficient and targeted investments.
Delivery partners ERM and Regen collaborated with various Distribution System Operators (DSOs), local authorities, and stakeholders. The project notes interest from other DSOs, indicating potential for broader adoption.
Sarah Kerr, Energy Systems Lead at Oxfordshire County Council, stated, “Local authorities like us rely on clear, consistent and high-quality data to deliver our net zero ambitions. This standardised template removes a major barrier for councils like ours that work with more than one DNO. It will save time and resources while giving us the confidence that our plans are fully aligned with regional and national energy needs. We welcome the collaborative approach taken and see real potential for the template to be adopted widely.”
Lynne McDonald, Head of Local Net Zero at UK Power Networks, added, “This joint DSO initiative is a powerful example of sector-wide collaboration to make life simpler for local authorities. By standardising how councils can share their clean energy and growth data, we enable data to be ‘shared once’ by our local authorities and then this data used by all local utilities. That means smarter, more efficient planning and investment decisions shaped by local needs – ultimately delivering benefits for every electricity customer.”
