Transitional Regional Energy Strategic Plan Consultation

Energy Capital responded to the National Energy System Operator's (NESO) consultation process ahead of the publication of it's transitional Regional Energy Strategic Plan (tRESP). The tRESP is the first step towards instituting bespoke energy infrastructure plans for nine English regions, Scotland, and Wales.

The consultation covered the context that will underpin energy planning for each area including:

• the pathways used to provide a view of how energy generation and demand will change until 2050
• the consistent planning assumptions that will guide how distribution network operators factor the impact of low-carbon technologies into their planning
• the areas where a particular need for strategic investment has been identified

Overall, we are pleased with NESO's intention to introduce energy system planning at a regional scale. The tRESP represents an important step in the right direction. Considering the tight timescales at hand, with the final tRESP publication expected in January 2026, we are impressed with the breadth and accuracy of the information included.

Our consultation response details how we think the tRESP publication could reflect the reality on the ground even more closely, through additions such as:

• referencing the West Midlands Regional Energy Strategy
• providing a clearer definition for 'areas of strategic investment need'
• further incorporating the previous tRESP submission shared by the WMCA in July 2025

You can download our full submission using the link below.