Milestone reached in first blueprint for Great Britain’s future energy infrastructure

In a major milestone for the planning of Great Britain’s energy network, the UK Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero and Ofgem have approved the methodology we’ll use to develop the first Strategic Spatial Energy Plan (SSEP).

What is the SSEP?

For milestone improvement, the SSEP will provide the first high-level blueprint for Great Britain’s energy infrastructure from 2030 to 2050, providing clarity to industry, investors and consumers on what a future energy system will look like and how the country will use it to meet its needs. 

When it’s published next year, the plan will help accelerate the transition to clean, affordable and secure energy, by advising where and how much electricity and hydrogen generation and storage is needed to meet a potential doubling in electricity demand by the middle of the century.

Considering the impact on local communities

In October 2024 milestone, , the UK, Welsh and Scottish Governments commissioned us to develop the SSEP, and after an extensive public consultation, you can now see the methodology we’ll use. 

This will consider cost, technology requirements, environmental impact, the views of communities and other uses of land and coast around Great Britain, while ensuring the system remains secure, reliable and affordable for all. 

Kayte O’Neill, Chief Operating Officer at NESO

Milestone, “Great Britain’s energy system is on an exciting journey as it moves to clean power by 2030, and this strategy will provide the clarity investors, network companies and customers need for the years beyond that – ensuring we have the right assets built in the right places at the right times to meet future demand.

“Publishing our methodology today represents a significant milestone as we move towards a more strategically planned energy system and a much larger network. It follows extensive and positive engagement with a breadth of stakeholders, who I would like to thank for taking part in our consultation.  

 “While markets will continue to lead and deliver generation and flexibility infrastructure, this will help companies see how their investments sit within the national strategic plan milestone, helping the country accelerate towards the UK government’s mission to make us a clean energy superpower.” 

Delivering Clean Power 2030

Our Clean Power 2030 advice to government outlined how Great Britain can source 95% of its electricity from clean sources by the end of the decade. It recommended a once-in-a-generation shift in the pace of rolling out renewables and a major expansion in the electricity network.

The SSEP will advise on what additional electricity and hydrogen generation and storage is needed and where from 2030 to 2050. Working with stakeholders, it will assess the best locations, quantities and types of energy infrastructure required to meet demand in a net zero world.

Strategic Energy Planning

Alongside the SSEP, we’re also developing a Centralised Strategic Network Plan (CSNP), which looks at both the gas and electricity transmission networks out to 2050. This will take a broad, whole energy system view of how to transform Britain’s energy planning – helping deliver affordable, clean and secure power for customers across the country. 

The SSEP and CSNP form vital parts of our Strategic Planning role. By taking a strategic long-term approach to planning, we can identify whole energy system needs and ensure that the system can be designed and built accordingly. We’ll help guide the shape of the future energy system, considering what society and communities value, safeguarding the environment whilst ensuring system resilience, and ensuring consumer benefits are realised.

Barnaby Wharton, RenewableUK’s Director of Future Electricity Systems 

“The Strategic Spatial Energy Plan will outline a clear vision for a zero-carbon energy system, powered by renewables and underpinned by the grid infrastructure we need to deliver it. Publishing this methodology is a critical step, and we look forward to working closely with NESO and industry to help shape a robust, cost-effective plan that delivers for consumers. 

“The certainty that this key blueprint will provide will help to attract billions in private investment, leading to tens of thousands of new jobs across the renewable energy sector, including our fast-growing supply chain based in the UK”. 

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