Local Electricity Network Coordination Group minutes: April 2024

Attendees and apologies

• Onshore Electricity Policy, Scottish Government
• Community Energy Scotland
• SP Energy Networks (SPEN)
• Scottish and Southern Energy Networks (SSEN)
• Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) Scotland
• Osprey Charging
• Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE)
• WarmWorks
• Scottish Futures Trust (SFT)
• Transport Scotland (TS)
• Heat in Buildings, Scottish Government

Items and actions

TS to share SPEN, SSEN contacts regarding heavy commercial transport charging systems. (TS)

Share webinar details on Scottish Islands after ESO published data in June. (SEEN)

TS, SFT, SSEN to meet and discuss input into D-FES and ED3 Planning. (SSEN, SFT and TS)

SPEN/SSEN to link up on standardisation work relating to leases. (SPEN/SSEN)

SG to share ENA Battery storage letter and Ofgem’s response. (SG)

SG to share more information on the Climate Statement after this meeting. (SG)

Welcome, introductions and review of the last meeting’s minutes and actions

The minutes from the meeting on 29 February were approved. All actions had either been completed or in were in progress.

Update from Transport Scotland

Good progress with EV Infrastructure Fund and the implementation plan covering barriers to EV rollout across Scotland.

A lot of focus is on high power charging for HGVs and other heavier modes of transport (such as for tourism), including what specific challenges/barrier they face.

Heriot Watt University are conducting a study on this, subject to restrictions around commercial information.

Reminder that the sale of petrol and diesel cars will be banned from 2035.

Regulation in commercial driving (such as scheduled breaks or expense of veering off shortest routes) needs to be considered when locating charging points.

Engagement is ongoing with Local Authorities regarding public sector fleets and EV charging.

HIE to put TS in touch with operators they work with off-call.

TS to provide a further update on HGV decarbonisation at the next meeting, meanwhile you can find more information here: HGV Decarbonisation - Pathway for Scotland - Zero Emission Truck Taskforce | Transport Scotland

Update from the Heat in Buildings team

Heat in Buildings Bill consultation received a high number of  responses - around 1,700. Analysis of the responses is underway.

Analysis of the responses to the consultation on social housing and the net zero standard is also underway.

Intention to publish a response to the EPC Reform Consultation 2023 in the coming weeks.

Background provided on Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategies (LHEES), offer from the Heat in Buildings team to discuss in more detail with any interested members.

DNOs – Strategic Update / Distribution Future Energy Scenarios

The DNOs highlighted that D-FES is an important tool for use in justification of business plans and strategic investment work.

SSEN reported that there have been no significant changes from last year’s report but noted that there have been increases for EV and heat pump uptake.

SSEN to publish local authority guides along with a new data portal and visualisation tool based on granular information from the D-FES.

DNOs are internally working through distribution network options and methodology, looking out to 2050.

ESO to release further data in June 2024, which will be emailed to local authorities with portal access and a call for input.

SSEN intends to hold two specific webinars on D-FES – one Scotland specific and the other Scottish Islands specific.

The DNOs discussed the implementation of the Regional Energy System Planner (RESP) and highlighted a need for coordination with ED3.

Connections reform was discussed. Size of the connections queue was noted, with the GB queue now at over 700GW.

SFT suggested having a joint meeting with TS, SPEN and SSEN to have a more strategic discussion on D-FES and ED3 planning.

Challenges discussion including connections and substation legals as standing agenda items

Substation legals and land rights were discussed. The need for standardisation was raised.

Members suggested that there is a need for better communications and potentially an education piece for landowners.

It was suggested that an explanatory note could be helpful to increase awareness and understanding of leases.

It was agreed that any explanatory note would be better positioned from an industry-wide perspective rather than from an individual network company. It was suggested that this might be an area for Ofgem to take up.

SPEN highlighted the standard clauses on its website and said it is exploring the potential of publishing standard leases.

SPEN highlighted its current customer survey and encouraged members to provide feedback on the issue.

SPEN and SSEN agreed to work together to further explore ways to provide customers with more information about leases and look for ways to standardise the process further.

Transport Scotland highlighted the growing issue of  HGV depots – as local authorities control where they can be situated. Therefore it is not always easy or possible for them to move, which can result in issues for installing charging infrastructure.

Depots are also generally located to suit driving routes and moving them to accommodate charging facilities could result in additional operating costs.

ESO Connections Reform was discussed. The DNOs raised concerns around a potential influx of connection applications and the unintended consequences of introducing an annual application window.

SSEN reported that there are significant reforms at a distribution level. SSEN is exploring phased/ramping agreements and highlighted the need for early engagement with customers.

SG HiBs team keen to learn more about potential phased and ramping options from the DNOs.

The ESO’s announcement that the ‘first ready, first connected’ approach will apply to both new and existing projects was welcomed. However, it was noted that it will take time to understand if this reform will be effective.  

The increasing number of battery storage projects seeking connections to the distribution network was also discussed and the letter from the ENA on this topic was highlighted.

AOB

TS gave a brief update on the Scottish Government’s Climate Change Package, which was announced following the meeting and SG took an action to circulate further details to members.