The way we plan our energy networks is about to get a major upgrade. Enter Regional Energy Strategic Plans (RESPs) – the next big thing in shaping how our communities power their futures.
Done right, these plans could boost local economies, create jobs, and accelerate the UK’s journey to Net Zero. But, like any ambitious project, there are challenges. So, what exactly is RESP, and why should you care? Let me try and break it down.
For years, local energy planning has been handled by a mix of local governments, electricity and gas utilities, and other regional players. The problem? These groups often work in silos, leading to inefficiencies and uncertainty. RESPs aim to change that by creating a coordinated, strategic approach to whole system regional energy planning, as highlighted by this quote from Ofgem:
The goal is to streamline decision-making and provide clarity on future energy needs, via a common approach to modelling supply and demand. It is hoped this will help to enable strategic investment as demand for new low carbon technology grows.
However, it’s crucial that RESP integrates smoothly (and doesn’t reinvent the wheel) with existing frameworks like Local Area Energy Plans (LAEPs) in England and Wales or Scotland’s Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategies (LHEES). These frameworks provide the local knowledge and evidence required to enable the local cross-vector strategic choices to feed into regional plans. Without this, RESP risks becoming just another bureaucratic hurdle.
Homeowners face tough choices: the building stock of different areas in the UK is varied, based on local and historical quirks and environments. It is essential that we move at pace to upgrade and decarbonise our buildings, but we need to be confident that the right interventions and investments are being delivered in the right places and that they are aligned with changes in the rest of the energy system.
Switching to cleaner energy isn’t just about upgrading power grids – it’s about people.
These are just some of the questions people are grappling with, but let’s not forget there are many simply unable to do any of that due to high fuel bills. The transition to Net Zero needs to be easy, affordable, and fair for everyone. Understanding and considering local and regional views is vital, if we want to create a system that works for everyone.
So, whilst, RESP is about the big strategic network investments needed it will ultimately effect consumers – us!
There is a plethora of community groups and engagement taking place including DNO forums ensuring customer views are heard. The plan for RESPs is to have regional forums to gather input and build shared responsibility. Throughout my career I have always prided myself on bringing people together to ensure projects and policies are sense checked and include as many views as possible – however too many voices and too many channels may hinder progress.
Lots of stakeholders will be providing information into the RESP process but also, they will be influenced by RESP. As well as supporting it, some stakeholders may constrain elements of RESP due to their ideas around technologies and pathways. So, how do we ensure people are on the same page or how will differing views be reconciled?
Planning is good, action is Better
Let’s be honest, planning is the easy part. The real challenge? Turning some many plans into real-world projects that are aligned. Who will be responsible for making sure heat pumps, EV charging stations, and solar panels get installed where they’re needed? That’s the big question.
In our recent ‘regional investment’ report, we highlighted the importance of ensuring planning, connections reforms, permitting and communities were aligned to ensure the flow of capital investment to enable action. RESPs must balance the need for strategic planning without delaying or disrupting action. There’s a risk of getting stuck in endless planning cycles rather than focusing on delivery, the hope is the RESPs will provide that strategic alignment.
Local authorities, private investors, and the government all have a role to play, but without clear accountability, progress could stall.
Technology and market conditions evolve fast. What seems like a great energy solution today might be outdated in five years. RESPs must be flexible, adapting to new innovations and unexpected challenges. The role of RESP will be to better forecast future supply and demand, and ensuring a local, data driven approach must be core to this, if the UK wants to be at the forefront of energy innovation.
RESPs could revolutionise UK energy planning and strategic investment. But for real impact, they must build on existing work, engage communities, focus on delivery, and stay adaptable.
Now’s the time for local areas to get involved. Let’s make sure RESPs aren’t just a bureaucratic exercise but a real driver of change.
Where did the idea of RESP come from?
Ofgem as the energy regulator has a mission to “work to protect energy consumers, especially vulnerable people, by ensuring they are treated fairly and benefit from a cleaner, greener environment.”
In April 2022 it began a review into what it calls “Governance and institutional arrangements at a sub-national level”. As part of that review it considered three things energy system planning, market facilitation of flexible resources and real time operations.
In March 2023 it launched a consultation on its recommendations and one of the items it proposed was the creation of Regional Energy Strategic Plans (RESPs) to integrate local priorities into energy system planning.
What is a RESP?
The Regional Energy Strategic Plan (RESP) will enable the coordinated development of the energy system across multiple vectors, provide confidence in system requirements and enable network infrastructure investment ahead of need. Ultimately, this will support the energy system’s transition to net zero in a cost-effective manner.
By moving to a joined-up whole-system approach, the hope is it will ensure investment is targeted where it’s needed, and that progress towards Net Zero can be accelerated.
How many RESPs will there be?
There will be 11 of them across the whole country:
When are the RESPs coming in to place?
While the first full RESP will be published in late 2027, Ofgem requires transitional RESP outputs by January 2026 to inform upcoming network business planning (in ED3). The transitional RESPs will not be as detailed as the full RESPs but will serve the same purpose. This makes 2025 a crucial window for local areas to provide input to transitional RESPs.
What will be in a RESP?
How will RESPs be created with local areas?
Place-based engagement will be critical in producing the RESPs, with the convening of local actors around a shared view of the future system. There will be formal governance through:
The transitional RESPs will be supported by Regional Forums (in each RESP region), technical working groups (national level), and technical coordination via review of DNO business plans.
How will the RESPs improve energy planning?
Right now, local energy network planning is handled by Gas Distribution Networks (GDNs), and electricity Distribution Network Operators (DNOs), and other stakeholders such as local government develop energy projects which require connections to the networks. When done right, these networks can be a huge boost for local economies—creating jobs, enabling development, and even kickstarting new industries. But too often, planning happens in isolation, without a real grasp of what local communities actually need, and when.
What input will RESPs be looking for from local areas?
RESPs will use a range of local inputs, including energy decarbonisation plans and pathways like Local Area Energy Plans, Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategies, and heat network or other project plans. Other inputs demonstrating a requirement on the energy system such as Local Plans, Local Growth Plans, Industrial Cluster plans and other infrastructure or economic plans will also be relevant.
How can I find out more?
We empower and advise Local Authorities, Network Operators, and Central and Devolved Governments to take Net Zero action, mobilising the plans, projects, processes and partners you need to decarbonise local areas.
Find out moreFind out more about how Energy Systems Catapult can help you and your teams
Find out more about how Energy Systems Catapult can help you and your teams