UK Network Association calls for operators and authorities to collaborate on net zero plans

The UK’s Energy Networks Association (ENA), in partnership with non-profit market insights provider Regen, has outlined how and why electricity and gas network operators should work more closely with local authorities to develop and deliver net zero plans.

The partners, in their report, Collaborating for Local Net Zero Planning and Delivery, set out how local authorities and energy networks currently work together to plan and deliver decarbonisation and outlines potential next steps to foster further collaboration.

Lynne McDonald, UK Power Networks and ENA Industry Working Group lead, said in a release: “Local authorities are playing a critical leadership role in the transition to a net zero energy system. Many have set ambitious targets to decarbonise their local areas and are now creating plans to meet those targets.

“Electricity and gas networks, together with Energy Networks Association, recognise the instrumental role that we have in facilitating those plans and ensuring that our forecasts and network plans support local net zero ambitions – in short, collaborating for the energy transition.“

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Recognising the need for greater consistency in how the two collaborate, the report recommends seven key areas of interaction between local authorities and networks:

1. Named contacts and relationship building

Local authorities are recommended to establish and build relationships with local network operators, attend regional engagements and provide feedback to network operators where possible, e.g. on Distribution Future Energy Scenarios (DFES) for Distribution Network Operators.

Network operators should also provide named contacts for local authorities at both the local level (project by project) as well as on the strategic level, to inform regional investment.

2. Representing local communities

Local authorities, it states, should act as brokers between the communities and the energy system, while working with networks on the identification of customers needing the priority services register and vulnerable customer support. Operators, on the other hand, should engage more with the local authority proactively to ensure the relationships across the local area are supported.

3. Open data

Authorities should use network data to understand current and future projections for decarbonisation and reflect these in local decision-making, whereas operators should provide open data and enabling tools (e.g. visualisation tools) for local authorities to access and understand network information.

4. Connecting local projects

Authorities are recommended to share short-term project plans with the network operator’s connections team, providing details of projects that require additional energy infrastructure in the next one to three years, whereas network operators should be transparent about input requirements as well as outputs from network processes, including materiality and confidence assessment.

5. Network input into local planning

Early engagement is recommended for authorities with operators on decarbonisation plans and for involving network operators and whole system thinking in net zero planning, local plans or regional economic plans. Network operators, should respond to local authorities’ enquiries regarding energy planning and tailor resources and support to facilitate the development of net zero plans by different local authorities.

6. Local input into network planning

Authorities should provide required input and work collaboratively with network operators to engage with energy regulator Ofgem about network investment plans, including reopeners/uncertainly mechanisms and business plans.

At the same time, operators should provide accessible and relatable information to local authorities on network processes. This includes working iteratively with local authorities, Ofgem and the Regional Energy Strategic Planners to develop business and other investment plans.

7. Innovating together

Local authorities and network operators need to work together to initiate and collaborate in innovation projects along with other local stakeholders and partners to trial new approaches and processes. These innovation projects build new relationships and skills as well as understanding of effective net zero planning and delivery at a local level.

The report follows Ofgem’s recent decision to introduce Regional Energy Strategic Planners, which will work collaboratively with networks and local authorities on regional plans across Great Britain, bringing the need for closer alignment into sharper focus.