Are you ready for Regional Energy Systems Planning?
Supporting local and regional stakeholders to deliver whole energy system, Net Zero-aligned planning and investment.
The energy system is changing and local and regional voices have a vital role to play. Regional Energy Strategic Plans (RESPs) are a new national initiative introduced by Ofgem to bring together electricity, gas, and hydrogen networks into a single, joined-up plan for each region of Great Britain.
The Ready for RESP 2025 programme – funded by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and commissioned by the Local Net Zero Hubs – is here to support local and combined authorities to get involved and shape these new whole energy system plans. Through practical tools, learning sessions, and insights, this page will act as a central resource hub for councils and others who want to understand RESP, share best practice, and influence the future of energy investment in their areas.
What we’re doing
- Evidence review
- Progress map of Local Area Energy Planning (LAEP) across the UK
- Self-assessment toolkit
- Learning sessions
- Recommendations for RESP delivery
The challenge
While momentum around LAEP is growing – with dozens of councils now developing plans – planning across energy remains fragmented and inconsistent.
- Data standards vary, and multiple energy networks overlap within RESP boundaries.
- Engagement mechanisms are limited and councils often lack visibility or influence in regional infrastructure decisions.
- Capacity and resources within local authorities are stretched and the RESP process must work with this reality.
The Ready for RESP programme was set up to tackle these challenges head-on, providing the evidence, tools, and support needed to ensure council priorities are reflected in the RESP process leading to better integrated energy planning.
Our approach
We’re working with local authorities, regional stakeholders, and national bodies to:
- Map current practice and identify gaps
- Co-design tools and guides to support whole-system planning
- Host learning sessions to share insights across regions
- Gather and represent local perspectives to inform Ofgem and NESO
- Develop a credible and inclusive pathway to RESP readiness
The Ready for RESP programme aims to:
- Support local authorities in engaging with the RESP process through building capacity and confidence.
- Enable more consistent and interoperable local approaches across RESP regions
- Provide national stakeholders with clearer insights into local priorities
- Accelerate investment and planning aligned to Net Zero, resilience, and inclusion
The RESP context
RESPs are being introduced to ensure that regional energy needs and ambitions are integrated into national energy system planning ensuring investment can be directed based on local needs.
- Led by the National Energy System Operator (NESO), 11 RESPs will combine national decarbonisation goals with regional insight.
- For the first time, electricity, gas, and hydrogen and heat networks will be planned together, improving coordination and efficiency.
- RESP will enable more democratic and local input into where and how infrastructure investment happens.
- This is a chance to align LAEPs, regional strategies, and national targets, accelerating action and ensuring the transition is fair and place-based.
- It will be a few years before RESPs are fully in place so to enable the current network investment cycle 2025 is about the t-RESP – the ‘Transitional’ RESP.
Downloads
Reports and Guides
As the Regional Energy Strategic Plans (RESPs) initiative develops all guides will be made available to download here. Keep checking back for the latest updates.
Reports and Guides
As the Regional Energy Strategic Plans (RESPs) initiative develops all guides will be made available to download here. Keep checking back for the latest updates.
Ready for RESP Guide 1: Ready for tRESP
The first in a series of guides as part of the ready for RESP programme is a short guide on the Transitional Regional Energy Strategic Plans and what local councils need to do.
Download
To download this file, we would be grateful if you could tell us a little about yourself.
We use this information for internal research purposes to help us better understand which energy sector stakeholders are interested in which areas of our work. We do not share your details with any third parties.
If you do not wish to complete the form, please email communications@es.catapult.org.uk to request a digital copy.
Ready for RESP: Guide 2: Local Decarbonisation Planning
The second guide in the Ready for RESP series is a practical introduction to Local Decarbonisation Planning — what it is, the approaches available, and how councils can choose the right pathway to support investment, delivery and effective engagement with RESP.
Download
To download this file, we would be grateful if you could tell us a little about yourself.
We use this information for internal research purposes to help us better understand which energy sector stakeholders are interested in which areas of our work. We do not share your details with any third parties.
If you do not wish to complete the form, please email communications@es.catapult.org.uk to request a digital copy.
Ready for RESP Guide 3: Guide 3: Resourcing and skills
The third guide in the Ready for RESP series is a practical guide to resourcing Local Decarbonisation Planning – the people, skills, partnerships and tools councils need to balance statutory duties with funding and capacity realities, and to effectively influence energy network investment through RESP.
Download
To download this file, we would be grateful if you could tell us a little about yourself.
We use this information for internal research purposes to help us better understand which energy sector stakeholders are interested in which areas of our work. We do not share your details with any third parties.
If you do not wish to complete the form, please email communications@es.catapult.org.uk to request a digital copy.
Blogs & insights
Local communities matter now more than ever in the energy transition
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.
Helping places benefit from RESP
Currently our energy systems – electricity and gas – are planned separately. There is limited integration between energy planning and spatial planning – such as new housing, commercial and industrial centres. This fragmented approach limits our ability to target investment effectively and slows down progress toward a Net Zero future.
RESP policy framework consultation response
Energy Systems Catapult welcomes the opportunity to respond to Ofgem’s consultation on the RESP policy framework. We support the four guiding principles of being place-based, whole systems, vision-led, and proactive.
Are you ready for RESP?
Network capacity can make or break Net Zero energy projects. With capacity, projects which may result in new demand or generation can go ahead, while without network capacity developments central to realising local economic or Net Zero priorities could be blocked. The frustration this causes, and rising Net Zero commitments, have strengthened the desire of local areas to influence network infrastructure investment with their priorities.
The essential role of Local Area Energy Plans
For aficionados of planning-based acronyms in the energy sector, these are halcyon days. Hot on the heels of the CSNP and HND came the SSEP (recommended by the ENC). Then Ofgem (which is, I guess, a kind of quasi-acronym) mandated NESO to deliver RESPs. “But” I hear the masses cry out. “What about LAEPs? How do they fit in?” Good question. I’ll explain.
Why RESPs matter
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.
Why local energy planning matters more now than ever
Andrew Wainwright, from SSEN Distribution, sheds light on why local insights are essential and how initiatives such as Local Area Energy Planning (LAEPs) and the Local Energy Net Zero Accelerator (LENZA) are helping to make a difference.
Useful links & partners
The National Energy System Operator (NESO) for Great Britain is committed to ensuring the views of stakeholders are at the heart of its work to plan the future energy system. So, if you have a keen interest in the energy system in your local area, with a particular focus on the new RESP role, join the online RESP Forums.
Regional Energy Strategic Plan policy framework decision
This decision sets out the policy framework for the RESP. It follows on from Ofgem’s review of local governance and institutional arrangements, commencing with a call for input in April 2022, a consultation in March 2023, a decision to establish RESPs in November 2023, and a consultation on the proposed policy framework in July 2024.
Regional Energy Strategic Plans
In early-2025, NESO became responsible for producing Regional Energy Strategic Plans (RESPs) for England, Scotland and Wales. The plans will help ensure that local areas get the energy infrastructure they need to meet local net zero and growth ambitions. The RESPs will form part of NESO’s wider strategic energy planning activities, ensuring a joined-up approach between national, regional and local levels.
Community energy tools
Local Net Zero: central support for local authorities and communities. Government provides a range of support to help local areas decarbonise.
North East and Yorkshire Local Net Zero Hub
The North East and Yorkshire Net Zero Hub – a collaboration of six combined authorities accelerating the transition to Net Zero and a future of clean growth through local energy delivery.
North West Local Net Zero Hub
The Net Zero Hub supports local government and social landlords to scale up housing retrofit activities. The Hub convenes organisations in the North West to share best practice, consider innovation in approaches and improve procurement of contractors.
Midlands Local Net Zero Hub
The Midlands Net Zero Hub works with Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs), local authorities, and community organisations to improve capacity and capability on the journey to reaching Net Zero.
South West Local Net Zero Hub
The South West Local Net Zero Hub provides free strategic and technical support to the public sector and communities to develop, finance and deliver Net Zero energy projects.
South East Local Net Zero Hub
The South East Local Net Zero Hub works with public sector organisations and their stakeholders to support the development and financing of local Net Zero projects.
Get involved
We’re keen to hear from councils, regional partners and networks who are working on or interested in RESP. If you’d like to:
- Share your experience
- Test tools and frameworks
- Take part in upcoming sessions
Please contact Dr Anna Stegman.
Net Zero Places
We empower and advise local authorities, network operators, and central and devolved governments to take Net Zero action
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Find out more about how Energy Systems Catapult can help you and your teams