The Centralised Strategic Network Plan (CSNP) must integrate across energy vectors, and embed genuine resilience, for it to be a transformative tool for enabling the transition to Net Zero.

Key points:

• One plan, not three – Call for a single, integrated CSNP covering electricity, gas, and hydrogen to unlock whole-system cost and design optimisation.
• Align with existing tools – Clarify how CSNP relates to the Electricity Ten Year Statement (ETYS) and ensure consistent boundaries and constraints.
• Plan for extremes – Include credible worst-case conditions (e.g. severe winters, low renewables, blackouts) alongside typical scenarios.
• Measure resilience – Add clear metrics for network reliability and resilience, with regular reviews.
• Value flexibility – Factor in distributed flexibility and DSO coordination; compare flexibility options vs. reinforcement.
• Integrate governance – Avoid siloed vector planning; introduce an “integrator” role for cross-vector trade-offs.
• Act sooner – Current timelines risk missing 2030 targets and locking in suboptimal infrastructure.
• Be transparent – Provide clearer processes, criteria, modelling details, and decision-making methods.