The project takes a major step towards a more consistent, joined up approach to planning the energy system by building on established cross-sector collaboration between UK Power Networks DSO, Cadent and SGN. It builds on work first started as part of the Open Networks project run by the Energy Networks Association in 2020.

The project has delivered a standardised Local Authority Common Ask for sharing granular spatial forecasts, including Local Area Energy Planning (LAEP) results. LAEPs provide a blueprint for local energy planning, giving utilities and local authorities a shared roadmap that links planned development and decarbonisation ambitions to future network investment.

By enabling data to be shared in the same format to networks regardless of which, or how many, networks serve the area, making the biggest difference for the 54 local authorities whose boundaries cross multiple networks, as they only need to share once, removing the burden of working with different formats, structures and assumptions. This also helps local authorities served by the three organisations to set out a clear format to share their plans to inform network investments.

Local authorities will no longer have to spend time and money sharing the same local data in many ways to networks. This new project means LAEP outcomes can be shared and interpreted quickly, helping councils to make decisions on heat, transport, and energy infrastructure planning more easily.

Standardised LAEP outputs will give DSOs more consistent, higher-quality data to feed into key network planning and investment processes - such as Distribution Future Energy Scenarios (DFES) and the Distribution Network Options Assessment (DNOA). Better forecasting ultimately results in more efficient, targeted investment, helping to keep costs down for customers while ensuring networks are ready for increasing electrification.

The project demonstrates significant cross-sector collaboration between multiple DSOs, local authorities, and delivery partners ERM and Regen. Other DSOs have already expressed interest, indicating strong potential for national scalability.