Local Electricity Network Coordination Group minutes: August 2024

Attendees and apologies

• Onshore Electricity Policy, Scottish Government

• Ofgem

• ScottishPower Energy Networks (SPEN)

• Scottish & Southern Energy Networks (SSEN)

• Community Energy Scotland

• Last Mile UK

• Homes for Scotland

• Ubitricity

• Scottish Wholesale Association

• Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE)

• Scottish Futures Trust (SFT)

• Local Energy Scotland

• Transport Scotland (TS)

• Heat in Buildings (HiB), Scottish Government

Apologies

• Charge UK

Items and actions

TS to share further information on the HGV study with members when study published at end of the month.

SSEN and HiB colleagues to meet regarding Warmer Homes Scheme. 

HiB to link up with SSEN to make sure there is cross engagement between their Strategic Development Plans (SDPs) and Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategies (LHEES).

SSEN to contact Community Energy Scotland and Local Energy Scotland to discuss Local Power Plans (LPP).

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

The Chair introduced the new Deputy Director for Onshore Electricity, Policy and Energy Consents.

The Chair highlighted that previous meeting minutes were not sent and advised that they would be shared.

Previous actions

TS to share further information on the HGV study with members. To be issued once study published.

DNO’s to share their D-FES slides – Complete

ChargeUK to share contacts with SPEN regarding D-FES – ChargeUK unable to confirm as ChargeUK unable to attend

Regional Energy Strategic Plan (RESP) presentation

Ofgem presented an overview of the Regional Energy Strategic Plan (RESP). They noted they have been developing the policy framework since November 2023 to enable timely implementation of the RESP by the Electricity System Operator (ESO).

Ofgem advised that the ESO will act as the delivery body and will discharge its duties via multiple regions spread across GB. They are proposing a total of 11 RESP regions with their own RESP Manager. This includes 9 for England and 1 each for Scotland and Wales. They are open to views on 1 RESP for Scotland via the consultation process.

A hub and spoke delivery model will be used for the RESP with each region represented as a spoke alongside a central coordination hub delivered by the ESO.

Each region will have a representative strategic board which will oversee the strategic planning process and provide a forum for collaboration and recommendations on the RESP to the ESO.

Ofgem confirmed that they are keen to hear stakeholders' views on the plan and highlighted that the consultation is open until 8 October 2024 and encouraged members to respond.

It was also raised that there is a RESP Policy Framework Consultation Webinar scheduled for 4 September 2024 and members were encouraged to attend.

Transport Scotland update on EV Vision Implementation Plan

Transport Scotland (TS) gave a brief update on HGV charging work which is being undertaken by Heriot-Watt University. TS expect the mapping will be published at the end of the month and will issue a copy to members.

TS gave a presentation on the Public Charging Vision. It was noted that the vehicle market is at a tipping point with electric vehicles market increasing, giving assurances to public charging networks.

TS informed members that we are heading towards the 2026 target for charging infrastructure and pace this year has been very fast.

TS noted that there is a massive transition with a lot of private sector investment coming into public charging infrastructure and highlighted the market is changing.

TS highlighted that from a government perspective, it is how to enable this investment to continue and presented the EV Infrastructure Fund, a collaboration between Local Authorities and Transport Scotland.

TS also highlighted that challenges remain including grid reinforcement, consumer experience, affordability, accessibility and inclusive charging.

In response, TS presented ‘A Network Fit For The Future: Vision for Scotland’s Public Electric Vehicle Charging Network’ and are currently developing a draft implementation plan due to be published in late 2024.

TS encouraged members to get in touch with any input.

Challenges regarding heating systems

SG Heat in Buildings (HiB) team gave an update on the Warmer Homes Scotland Scheme which is the national fuel poverty scheme.

HiB noted the scheme was relaunched with a £65m budget.

HiB highlighted a number of challenges they are facing including connection issues blocking installations including; the predictability of completion dates which has knock-on effects to contractors, the expectation installation figures will rise over time and that many of the customers are vulnerable so delays can cause additional strain and stress.

HiB suggested working together at an operational level to tackle these issues and were keen to liaise with DNOs on this. SSEN flagged they recognise the issues and more than happy to work together on the Warmer Homes scheme.

DNO strategic update

Currently 726GW in the connections queue at present and continues to be dominated by renewables. It was noted that we may see further impact with UK Government lifting ban on onshore wind in England.

SPEN noted that they have felt more movement from new UK government on connections reform but must be bolder and even more radical in some cases regarding queue reform. Broad alignment from DNOs on this.

DNOs also discussed that the connections queue isn’t just a network issue but also a supply chain and planning and consenting issue.

SPEN highlighted the Clean Power Plan 2030 targets, accelerating target by 5 years, will be a significant challenge for Transmission Owners going forward.

SSEN provided a high-level overview of the ‘Rapid decarbonisation of the GB electricity system’ report. It was noted that the Clean Power Plan 2030 has put a new prism on how they look at plans.

SSEN raised that they are undertaking development plans and looking beyond price controls to set up Strategic Development Plans (SDPs). They are currently consulting on this and encouraged members to respond and highlighted that a webinar on the SDPs is scheduled for 13 September 2024 and encouraged members to attend.

AOB

SSEN flagged the UK government’s proposed Local Power Plans (LPP) which will allow GB Energy to partner with local communities to develop renewable projects.

SSEN encouraged anyone who was interested in the plans to get in touch to discuss further. Community Energy Scotland and Local Energy Scotland noted they were keen to discuss LPP.

The Chair noted that the date of the next meeting is Thursday 21 November 2024 and asked for agenda items to be proposed by members.