To be successful, NESO must go beyond technical delivery and act as a collaborative, strategic integrator – aligning with government policy, engaging consumers, and working across the system to drive innovation and deliver Net Zero.

In this response to Ofgem’s consultation on the enduring regulatory framework for NESO, our key points are:

• NESO’s strategy must align with national and devolved policies, and its impact should be measured by outcomes for consumers, innovation, and whole-system coordination.
• Effective collaboration is critical. NESO should co-develop plans with policy bodies, DNOs/DSOs, and innovators, and be assessed on the quality of these relationships.
• Clear governance and public accountability mechanisms (like strategic statements and stakeholder panels) are essential to ensure transparency, regional inclusion, and delivery of Net Zero goals.