Strategic Spatial Plan Is The Blueprint for Great Britain’s Energy Infrastructure

A new strategic plan will identify sites for energy infrastructure across the UK, aimed at accelerating the shift away from fossil fuels and supporting the government’s clean energy ambitions. 

This initiative seeks to provide long-term certainty for investors, foster job creation and enhance community well-being. Energy ministers from Scotland, Wales, and the UK have tasked the National Energy System Operator (NESO) with developing the first comprehensive spatial energy plan through 2050. This plan will help streamline grid connections, expedite project delivery and consider interactions with other sectors such as transport and water. The initial version, which will focus on electricity generation and storage, is expected to be published in 2026.

The introduction of a Strategic Spatial Energy Plan (SSEP) was one of fifteen recommendations aimed at reducing the construction timeline for grid infrastructure from fourteen to seven years. The SSEP will serve as a comprehensive, integrated strategy that unites power production and transmission. It will proactively identify necessary projects, including their timelines and locations. Initially, the plan will focus on onshore and offshore generation assets and hydrogen, with the goal of eventually encompassing a full energy system approach.

While strategic spatial plans are commonplace in parts of Europe, this initiative marks the first of its kind in the UK. The SSEP aims to streamline the planning and licensing processes, enabling renewable energy projects to connect to the grid more efficiently.

By taking a holistic view of national infrastructure needs, the SSEP will identify where new infrastructure is necessary and assess its potential impacts on communities and the environment early in the process. The plan will undergo comprehensive strategic environmental impact assessments and Habitats Regulation Assessments. These steps will facilitate early engagement between industry, government and the public, helping to reduce objections and associated delays. Importantly, the SSEP will also prioritize community involvement, ensuring that local voices are heard throughout the planning process.

Historically, public opposition has caused significant delays in project timelines; for example, the proposed power line between the Highlands and Central Scotland that took a decade to complete. By anticipating potential issues and implementing thorough consultation ahead of individual project evaluations, the SSEP is poised to mitigate prolonged planning and consent delays.

As a publicly owned body, the government has said that NESO will work out how best to spread new energy projects across the country and in turn speed up project delivery timescales and overall costs, which in turn could help to reduce bills for consumers.