Strategic energy planning (SEP) publications, consultations and updates | National Energy System Operator

Strategic energy planning (SEP) publications, consultations and updates | National Energy System Operator Show/Hide Menu Toggle Add to favourites Close tooltip Sign in to add this page to your favourites Sign in or register Show favourites Close Close tooltip Sign in or register to manage your favourites Sign in or register Help You are now signed in Visit My NESO account to view and manage your dataset subscriptions. Maybe later Go to your account Strategic energy planning (SEP) publications, consultations and updates As NESO, our responsibilities around energy planning have grown. We’re taking an approach that considers energy needs for all of GB and each of the nations and regions. This includes different types of energy like electricity, gas and hydrogen. We're making sure our energy plans consider what communities and the environment need, while also keeping the energy system reliable and affordable. Since our strategic energy planning activities are connected, we understand that people may be interested in more than one plan. Therefore, we are trying to share information in a way that is easy for everyone to follow and access. You can find updates and results that cover multiple projects here. NEW feedback window on areas of additional work On 2 March we published new documents on three areas of the Regional Energy Strategic Plans (RESPs) methodology and opened a two-week feedback window inviting comment on these areas, for which we have been developing further detail. The feedback window for these areas runs until 16 March and includes a series of interactive webinars. Visit our new website pages where you can find the published documents and information on how to respond. Read more Electricity Transmission Design Principles (ETDP) Consultation NESO is consulting on Electricity Transmission Design Principles (ETDP). These Principles aim to provide guidance and clarity on design choices about transmission infrastructure for developers and communities. Read the Consultation Electricity Transmission Design Principles (ETDP) Webinars We hosted two webinars to support the launch of the consultation. A recording of the webinar on 29 September 2025 can be found below. View webinar CSNP methodology webinar series Watch our webinars and download our presentation slides to learn the details about the CSNP methodology consultation, from the whole system approach to the vector-specific planning. Title When Recording & Slides CSNP whole system approach 4 July Watch Webinar Download Slides Gas planning 22 July Watch Webinar Download Slides Electricity planning 22 July Watch Webinar Download Slides Broadening participation 23 July Watch Webinar Download Slides Appraising network options 23 July Watch Webinar Download Slides Offshore Coordination 24 July Watch Webinar Download Slides Hydrogen planning 24 July Watch Webinar Download Slides Hydrogen workshop 14 October Watch Webinar Download Slides Transitional Centralised Strategy Network Plan (tCSNP) The tCSNP is a step towards the long-term CSNP. It suggests which network upgrades should receive investment and when. We consulted on the tCSNP2 Refresh methodology from December 2024 to January 2025 and refined it before submitting to Ofgem in March Find out more about the tCSNP including our methodology SEA Determination Notice A letter detailing the determination that NESO plans to undertake a Strategic Environmental Assessment of the HND – Implementation Plan has been sent to the relevant consultation authorities. Read about our SEP Environmental Assessments CSNP methodology consultation SSEP, CSNP and tCSNP2 Refresh Consultations, webinars and next steps SEP engagement SSEP External Governance Groups CSNP methodology consultation This document sets out an overview of the methodology that we will be following to carry out the CSNP. We will deliver our network planning for electricity, gas and hydrogen through multiple submissions across a three-year cycle. The consultation is now closed . Our next steps are to analyse, then consider the feedback and update the methodology where appropriate. We will submit the methodology to Ofgem for approval, by 30 September 2025 in accordance with our licence obligations and publish it on our website. View CSNP draft methodology document View CSNP draft methodology appendices document If you have any questions about the consultation process, other additional comments or queries, please contact us . SSEP, CSNP and tCSNP2 Refresh SSEP, CSNP and tCSNP2 Refresh methodology publications and consultation – December 2024 to January 2025 are now closed. To ensure our plans are robust and that stakeholders are given a voice from the start of these processes, we consulted on a series of draft methodologies and outputs. We launched three publications for consultation: The Strategic Spatial Energy Plan (SSEP) draft methodology, which sets out the principles and method for delivering the SSEP. The Centralised Strategic Network Plan (CSNP) high level principles, which will underpin the methodology for the CSNP. The transitional CSNP2 (tCSNP2) Refresh methodology, which is a refreshed version of our interim network planning approach. A supporting document was also published that explains how our strategic energy planning deliverables interact with each other and with wider NESO activities. We have made these publications as accessible as possible to all interested parties. Due to the subjects covered, the content is at times detailed and technical. Beyond this consultation, there will be further opportunities to engage through the development of these plans and their outputs Document library Summary documents Draft SSEP methodology CSNP high level principles tCSNP Refresh methodology Name Strategic Energy Planning: A Summary - December 2025 SSEP, CSNP, tCSNP2 Refresh webinar FAQs - December 2024 SEP Consultation Questions – December 2024 Name SSEP Draft Methodology Consultation - December 2024 Name CSNP High Level Principles Consultation Feedback Response Centralised Strategic Network Plan High Level Methodology Principles– December 2024 Name tCSNP2 Refresh Summary Methodology - Issue 10.2 - Mar25 tCSNP2 Refresh Summary methodology – Draft issue 10.1 – December 2024 tCSNP2 Refresh Annex 0 – Introduction – Draft issue 10.1 – December 2024 tCSNP2 Refresh Annex 1 – Inputs – Draft issue 10.1 – December 2024 tCSNP2 Refresh Annex 2 – System Requirements – Draft issue 10.1 – December 2024 tCSNP2 Refresh Annex 3 – Options Development – Draft issue 10.1 – December 2024 tCSNP2 Refresh Annex 4 – QA Check Methodology – Draft issue 10.1 – December 2024 tCSNP2 Refresh Annex 5 – Options Assessment – Draft issue 10.1 tCSNP2 Refresh Annex 6 – Competition – Draft issue 10.1 – December 2024 tCSNP2 Refresh Annex 7 – Governance – Draft issue 10.1 – December 2024 tCSNP2 Refresh Annex 8 – Early Development of Options – Draft issue 10.1 – December 2024 tCSNP2 Refresh Annex 9 – Interconnectors analysis methodology – Draft issue 10.1 – December 2024 tCSNP2 Refresh Annex A – General Roles and Responsibilities of NESO and TOs – Draft issue 10.1 – December 2024 tCSNP2 Refresh Annex B – Potential transmission solutions – Draft issue 10.1 – December 2024 tCSNP2 Refresh Annex C – System Requirement Form – Draft issue 10.1 – December 2024 tCSNP2 Refresh Annex D – TCSNP2 Refresh key dates for 2025/26 – Draft issue 10.1 – December 2024 Consultations, webinars and next steps Respond to the consultation The consultation on the SSEP draft methodology, CSNP high level principles and tCSNP2 Refresh methodology closed on 20 January. Thank you to all who took the time to responded. We are in the process of refining our publications based on feedback and will follow up with the following actions: Submit the tCSNP2 Refresh methodology to Ofgem by 31 March 2025 and publish. Publish the final SSEP methodology in Spring 2025 following approval from UK Energy Secretary and Ofgem. Launch a consultation on the draft CSNP methodology in Q2 2025. If you have any questions about the publications or consultation process, please email us [email protected] SSEP Technical Webinar – 30 January Interested in Strategic Spatial Energy Plan (SSEP) developments? Learn about our latest modelling outputs and pathway appraisal work in this technical webinar for industry experts and stakeholders. Watch Webinar Download Slides Publications Webinar - 17 December 2024 We hosted a webinar on 17 December which provided an overview of our publications and how to respond to the consultation, with an opportunity for question and answer. You can find the slides, recording and a summary of the frequently asked questions (FAQs) below. Watch Webinar Download Slides FAQs Next steps and wider activities Following the consultation period, we will refine our publications based on stakeholder feedback and follow up with the below actions: Publish the final SSEP methodology in Spring 2025 following approval from UK, Scottish and Welsh governments and Ofgem. Launch a consultation on the draft CSNP methodology in Q2. Submit the tCSNP2 methodology to Ofgem by 31 March 2025 and publish it. The SSEP will provide greater certainty on the zonal locations of electricity generation and storage, including hydrogen infrastructure. The SSEP will feed into our CSNP, which will cover the transmission network needed to deliver the spatial energy plan and provide an independent, coordinated and long-term approach to transmission network planning in Great Britain. The tCSNP2 Refresh is part of the intermediate phase as we develop towards the CSNP. Ahead of this, through ‘Clean Power 2030’, we have advised government on which network upgrades and market and policy decisions could accelerate the development of a clean power system by 2030. The strategic energy plans will take the UK Government’s response to this advice - the Clean Power Action Plan - into account as a starting point for analysis. SEP engagement Considerable and effective engagement is pivotal to ensuring that the plans we produce are robust, deliverable and reflect a variety of views. Below you will find information on our engagement activities: SEP Industry Working Group Input from industry stakeholders will help to shape and influence the development of our strategic energy plans. The SEP Industry Working Group has been established as a core channel to co-ordinate and align engagement across SEP projects. We have given careful consideration to memberships to ensure the bodies in the group give a voice to a cross-section of the industry. The group has representation from across the energy industry, including electricity and gas networks, developers, trade associations and representative bodies and supply chain. The full terms of reference, which include a list of the members, can be found in the document library. We are also carrying out a programme of strategic engagement such as one to one meetings to discuss specific topics or issues. Document library Transparency updates Industry working group Transparency updates Name Published Sort ascending SSEP transparency update 5 Mar 2026 SSEP Data List 5 Mar 2026 SSEP Spatial Evaluation Framework 12 Feb 2026 SSEP Developers Workshops Slides Oct 2025 30 Jan 2026 Strategic Spatial Energy Plan Update - Open Letter - November 2025 20 Nov 2025 SSEP Spatial Evaluation - Stakeholder Input 6 Nov 2025 Name SEP Industry Working Group Meeting Summary November 2025 SEP Industry Working Group Meeting Summary September 2025 SEP Industry Working Group Meeting Summary August 2025 SEP Industry Working Group Meeting Summary July 2025 SEP Industry Working Group Meeting Summary May 2025 SEP Industry Working Group Meeting Summary March 2025 SEP Industry Working Group Meeting Summary January 2025 SEP Industry Working Group Meeting Summary November 2024 SEP Industry Working Group Terms of Reference – November 2024 SSEP External Governance Groups NESO have been commissioned by the UK, Scottish and Welsh governments to create a Strategic Spatial Energy Plan (SSEP) for the energy system, land, and sea, across Great Britain (GB). The first of its kind in GB, the SSEP is a critical step in accelerating and optimising GB’s energy transition. You can read more about how NESO will develop and deliver the SSEP, including our approach to governance, in our draft methodology . Given the scale and potential impact of the SSEP, the commission outlined the minimum governance structure required to support its development. This governance will ensure that throughout the process, we have engagement with, and input from, the UK, Scottish and Welsh governments and Ofgem. The governance meetings will provide advice and guidance to NESO, ensure oversight and accountability from government, and facilitate key stakeholder feedback. Below you can find information about our key external governance groups, and summaries of their activities which we will publish quarterly: Document library SSEP External Governance Groups Quarterly Summaries Name SSEP External Governance Structure Name Published Sort ascending SSEP External Governance Summary Q4 2025 9 Jan 2026 SSEP External Governance Summary Q3 2025 29 Oct 2025 SSEP External Governance Summary Q2 2025 10 Jul 2025 SSEP External Governance Summary Q1 2025 16 Apr 2025 SSEP External Governance Summary Q4 2024 14 Feb 2025 logo--facebook