The Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE) has submitted a response to Ofgem’s Regional Energy Strategic Plan (RESP) policy framework consultation.

As experts in sustainable energy and community engagement, we welcome the RESP proposals and support the move towards regional strategic spatial planning for the energy system.

RESP will provide a key tool to enable our transition to a net zero energy system. It also presents a long overdue opportunity to better align energy system planning with spatial planning more generally, which is key since so many of the decisions needed for our future net zero infrastructure will be made at a local level.

We shouldn’t shy away from pushing for Local Plans to be required to formally consider and reflect RESPs as well as for RESPs to draw data and insights from existing Local Plans.

Janine Michael, Chief Executive at the Centre for Sustainable Energy

Our response highlights four key points.

Aligning energy and spatial planning

RESP offers a crucial opportunity to better integrate energy system planning with broader spatial planning. We advocate for Local Plans to formally consider RESPs, and for RESPs to incorporate insights from existing Local Plans.

Ensuring local stakeholder benefits

For RESP to succeed, it must provide clear value to local authorities and community stakeholders. We emphasise the need for collaborative processes, transparency, and shared local ownership to foster effective engagement.

Strengthening core principles

We propose enhancing the RESP principles to:

• Clearly outline regional pathways to net zero.
• Adopt a whole-system approach linking various energy vectors (gas, electricity, heat, transport, industry).
• Prioritise collaboration and equity.
• Embed transparency as a fundamental principle.

Refining governance and stakeholder engagement

We recommend further consultation on governance arrangements and suggest a detailed stakeholder mapping exercise to inform working group composition.

Game-changing potential

Additionally, in our full response, we stress the importance of fairness analysis in RESP development to ensure an equitable energy transition that works for all communities and consumers.

RESP has the potential to be a game-changer in aligning our future energy system with local needs and ambitions. However, its success hinges on meaningful collaboration with local stakeholders and a commitment to transparency and fairness.

For a detailed look at our position and recommendations, download our full consultation response.