Guest blog by Lynne McDonald, Head of Local Net Zero, at UK Power Networks Distribution System Operator (DSO).

Energy planning is no longer the top-down responsibility of energy networks and local communities have an increasingly vital role to play in shaping our Net Zero future. Lynne McDonald, Head of Local Net Zero, at UK Power Networks Distribution System Operator (DSO) says the future is local and DSOs are developing the digital tools to make a difference.

Understanding the local perspective

Until now, energy planning has been a largely a top-down approach. The industry is now recognising that to effectively transition to Net Zero, planning must start at a hyper-local level and align all the way up to the national view. UK Power Networks DSO is constantly refining our approach, with customer engagement being key to understanding what activities are being planned at a local level and ensuring we can build a electricity network that is fit for purpose. For years now we’ve been working closely with local authorities to understand their needs and how we can collect data on their low carbon technology rollout plans so we can help make the public electric vehicle charging, homes and solar panel installs they want to be a reality.

The public want to know they have choice in their everyday actions

Energy planning isn’t just about keeping bills low – it’s about ensuring a resilient and efficient network that meets future customer demands. Simplifying complex concepts will make them more accessible to local authorities and the public, helping everyone understand the importance of energy planning and its impact. Local communities, households, businesses, and industries rely on the power industry daily in their everyday actions, from turning on the kettle to commuting on electric buses.

Accelerating change with interactive tools

Our website for local authorities, Your Local Net Zero Hub was designed with and for local authorities to foster their decarbonisation efforts. By providing access to expertise, resources, and digital tools, the hub enables local areas to build plans to decarbonise in the right way for them at the touch of a button.

Our support doesn’t stop at the Hub; we’re developing datasets and tools with local authorities to offering the free, accessible help. Services like ChargePoint Navigator and LAEP+ are just two examples. LAEP+ developed in partnership with Advanced Infrastructure ensures councils have equitable access to planning tools that are typically reserved for better-resourced areas.

Our newest service, ChargePoint Navigator is a free to use tool that helps local authorities plan their charge point rollouts more effectively and ensure it delivers for all their residents, especially households without access to off-street parking. It’s enabling them to optimise public charging point locations, secure funding, and work collaboratively with delivery partners to get public EV infrastructure moving. The tool was created in response to local authorities’ challenges in bidding for the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) funds, demonstrating a 100% pass rate for customer needs in Tranche 2 of LEVI compared to 37% before the tool was introduced. It was a success and ChargePoint Navigator, built with our development partner Field Dynamics and collaborators Cenex and ZapMap, was recognised as Transport Project of the Year at the 2025 UK Green Business Awards just last month.

Do LAEPs deliver value? Absolutely- and here’s why

The question I am always asked is – do LAEPs deliver value? My answer always starts with this: what value are our customers seeing? Based on that, my answer is yes and here’s why.

At UK Power Networks DSO, we serve 133 local authorities across our three regions. In 2022, just 22 of them were engaging in Local Area Energy Planning (LAEP) related activities. Today, that number has grown to 78- and it’s still rising. That’s more than a threefold increase in just a few years, and it speaks volumes about the growing recognition of LAEPs as a vital tool for local energy transition.

So what are these plans actually doing for local authorities? Accelerating investment in the right locations so local authorities can deliver on what their residents say is a priority, that’s what.

LAEPs provide a structured, evidence-based way for councils and their local stakeholders to map out their future – where, when, and how they plan to roll out solar panels, EVs, heat pumps and more. These plans are not just about technology – they’re about improving air quality, driving economic and social growth, and ensuring that local ambitions are backed by robust, data-driven strategies. When digitised, they streamline data collection and enable local stakeholders to visualise their data, helping them make more informed decisions for their local area.

LAEPs for the first time have shaped the Distribution Future Energy Scenarios (DFES) – forecasts which underpins our investment plans – they have been shaped by 32 local authorities’ local area energy plans, accelerating 70 assets investments. This is a testament to the importance of these local insights. Importantly ensuring network capacity expands with their local needs.

The role of RESPs and the importance of local data

The introduction of Regional Energy System Planners (RESPs) is a significant step towards ensuring that local voices are heard in energy planning as it acts on a wider level than the regional distribution network and takes into account the national picture.  Improving the integration of local data into energy forecasts will ensure the energy network is able to deliver on what local communities want. RESPs aim to create a more coordinated and efficient approach across different regions. This local data is crucial for understanding the specific needs and ambitions of local authorities, such as the expected number of electric vehicles and the rollout of solar panels. By sharing local data, investment pathways can be aligned with local plans and stitched together with national plans, making energy planning more effective and transparent.

Embracing the future of energy planning

As we continue to navigate the path towards Net Zero, the importance of local energy planning and the integration of local data cannot be overstated. Initiatives like the LAEP+ and ChargePoint Navigator are paving the way for a more responsive and adaptive electricity network. Partnerships such as the one UK Power Networks DSO has developed with UK100, a network of climate-focused local authorities, are crucial. Together, we can transform energy from a niche industry focus to a high-profile public conversation, making a real difference in the lives of people and the health of our planet.