NESO plan to provide blueprint for future electricity and hydrogen needs
NESO, the newly formed National Energy System Operator, has been commissioned by the UK, Scottish and Welsh Governments to develop the first Strategic Spatial Energy Plan (SSEP) for Great Britain.
The SSEP will provide a high-level blueprint and take an holistic approach to national planning for electricity and hydrogen.
With the first iteration expected to be published in 2026 the plan will assess optimal locations, quantities and types of energy infrastructure required to meet future energy demand. Economic, environmental, and technical engineering design input, combined with considerable engagement with societal, expert and political stakeholders, will help deliver this outcome.
The plan will help optimise and accelerate the transition to clean, secure and affordable energy by providing greater engagement, consultation and clarity to communities, industry, investors, and consumers on the shape of a reformed energy system.
The SSEP will also seek views on what society values most when thinking about energy and the environment so that these considerations are incorporated into the plan from the beginning.
The SSEP will be interlinked with other NESO plans including the Centralised Strategic Network Plan (CSNP) and the Regional Energy Strategic Planner role and the NESO will work closely with other bodies including The Crown Estate and Crown Estate Scotland on the plan.
Kayte O’Neill, Chief Operating Officer, NESO said, “We are delighted to receive this formal commission as NESO to develop this plan and bring together our expertise and that of our partners to develop this critical blueprint for Great Britain’s energy system of the future.
“By setting out pathway options, engaging across government, the regulator, wider industry, interested parties and with communities as well as exploring the needs at a more zonal and regional level we can then identify where and what type of electricity and storage technologies we need to meet our future demand and decarbonisation ambitions.”
Gus Jaspert, Managing Director, Marine at The Crown Estate, said, “Taking a coordinated, systems-led approach to our future energy needs will be critical to enabling the energy transition, accelerating the deployment of important renewable technology and protecting nature.”