As part of its proposals, Ofgem has put forward a view on Regional Energy Strategic Plans (RESPs) footprints. This will mean different network companies across electricity and gas will interface with a different number of RESPs, one as many as eight, some with as few as two. The number of RESP interfaces a network will have to manage will amplify the operational challenges we think network companies will face across (1) engaging with RESPs they will be part of, (2) taking RESP outputs to inform their network business plans, and (3) developing a coherent view of investment activity across their licensed areas.

In the future, Ofgem expects Regional Energy Strategic Plans (RESPs) to inform the investment plans put forward by energy network companies. While there is currently not much detail on the proposed contents of the RESPs, we believe building on approaches developed for Local Area Energy Plans (LAEP) can be a useful starting point. At the same time, it is critical to consider the ultimate purpose of RESPs (i.e. to inform network company business plans) which means for RESPs to be effective, they need to be reflective of network company’s needs, and ultimately align with expectations Ofgem seeks to impress on those companies when they come to put forward their investment plans across RIIO3 and beyond.  

On 8^th October, Ofgem is closing the window for stakeholders to respond to its consultation on detailed policy design of the Regional Energy Strategic Plan (RESP) framework. If implemented, these proposals will mean a significant shift in the way we plan the GB’s energy system. For the first time, investment planning at a local level will take place across all current and potential future energy vectors (electricity, gas, hydrogen, heat, etc.), reflecting anticipated local needs in a holistic manner. The ultimate aim is to ensure investment is targeted at right-sizing network infrastructure. 

Across a short series of blogs, Complete Strategy will be assessing the potential implications of Ofgem’s proposals, and discuss any (missed?) opportunities we see arriving from the proposals. 

With the fifth round of the contracts for difference scheme providing no offshore wind projects, the final blog in our series explores what changes need to be made to get the UK back on top in offshore wind.

With rising international competition and extensive incentive schemes from other governments, more needs to be done to help the UK maximise the benefits from the offshore wind industry.

The UK’s transition to a greener more sustainable future is underway and offshore wind is set to play a pivotal role in the government’s commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2050.

Offshore wind power’s reliability puts it in a prime position to be a key player in keeping climate change 'well below 2°C', as was pledged at COP26.

But not everyone is convinced. Some critics label offshore wind as a 'cheap facelift' in the fight against climate change. In our latest post from our offshore wind series, we reflect on the net carbon impact of offshore wind assets and discuss its role in addressing climate change.

The UK has joined forces with the North Seas Energy Cooperation (NSEC) to accelerate the development of renewable energy and grid infrastructure. We review the approaches taken by different countries and comment on Ofgem’s latest consultation on multi-purpose interconnectors and non-standard interconnectors.

Here we look at the offshore wind auction processes in Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands and ask what we can learn from them.

“On the 10th of May 2023, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero published its long-awaited 32-page open consultation on the ‘Strategy and Policy Statement for energy policy in Great Britain’. Here we summarise this key update to GB Policy.

We consider whether the OFTO regime is fit-for-purpose to support the growth of offshore wind. We review the strengths and weaknesses of the current regime and assess the merits of potential alternatives, the ownership and operation of connection assets either by incumbent transmission operators or generators. We then propose ideas to enhance the OFTO regime by better-supporting coordination and increasing competition.

Complete Strategy publishes a new series on the future of Offshore Wind in the UK.