Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of accelerating work on local energy governance and planning arrangements to deliver investment to the energy grid where it is most needed.

The Government recognises the potential benefits of enabling more local energy planning to support efficient and strategic investment in the electricity distribution network. We are working closely with Ofgem to consider this in more detail as part of their ongoing governance review into local energy institutions and its proposals on regional energy system planning.

Whilst we recognise the potential opportunities around local energy plans, it is vital that any approach endorsed by government is considered carefully to ensure it is deliverable, cost-effective and aligned with wider policy.