The UK’s National Energy System Operator (NESO) has launched a public consultation on its long-term vision for the UK’s energy infrastructure, including the expansion of solar energy and battery storage capacity.
The Centralised Strategic Network Plan (CSNP) aims to provide a 25-year roadmap for upgrading the UK’s electricity, gas, and hydrogen transmission networks, with the first full plan due in December 2027.
It will be reviewed every three years and is designed to support clean, reliable and affordable energy through coordinated, long-term infrastructure planning.
Commissioned in October 2024 by UK, Scottish and Welsh energy ministers, the CSNP is being developed in tandem with the Strategic Spatial Energy Plan (SSNP).
Additionally in October 2024, National Grid ESO transitioned into NESO. At Solar & Storage Live in London this spring Matthew Vickers, Director of Connections Reform at the NESO, explained:
“Our goal is to take a whole-system approach, ensuring energy security, supporting the transition to net zero, and keeping bills as low as possible for consumers, businesses, and communities.”
NESO published its initial methodology for the CSNP in December 2024 and will align its approach with wider public policies, the SSNP, and Regional Energy Strategic Plans (RESPs).
A key focus of the CSNP is the expansion of renewable technologies, particularly solar power and battery energy storage systems (BESS).
The plan will evaluate what network upgrades are required to better integrate these technologies, accounting for supply, demand, weather patterns and market dynamics.
The CSNP will also consider whether it’s more appropriate to manage future energy flows using current infrastructure, upgrade existing components, or build new transmission systems. Each option will be assessed on a site-specific basis.
According to NESO, the CSNP will “enable investment in clean, reliable and affordable energy” by providing robust, transparent data and accelerating decision-making.
Julian Leslie, Director of Strategic Energy Planning at NESO, said: “Taking a coordinated approach to infrastructure planning is vital – not only to help drive investment decisions, but also to ensure everyone has access to reliable, clean and affordable energy.”
The consultation closes on 1 August 2025. A draft plan will be published in June 2027, with detailed network data expected in June 2026.
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