The National Energy System Operator (NESO) has published the methodology for its Strategic Spatial Energy Plan (SSEP), which will serve as a blueprint for Great Britain’s energy infrastructure from 2030 to 2050. The methodology, which has received approval from both the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero and the energy regulator Ofgem, will guide the country’s transition to a clean and secure energy system.
The SSEP, set to be released in 2026, aims to provide clarity on the future energy landscape for industry, investors, and consumers, while helping Britain meet its net zero target. The plan will outline where and how much electricity and hydrogen generation, along with storage, will be required to meet the expected doubling of electricity demand by mid-century.
Kayte O’Neill, Chief Operating Officer of NESO, emphasized the importance of the SSEP, stating, “Great Britain’s energy system is on an exciting journey as it moves to clean power by 2030, and this strategy will provide the clarity investors, network companies, and customers need for the years beyond that – ensuring we have the right assets built in the right places at the right times to meet future demand.”
The plan will be developed with input from a range of stakeholders and will consider various factors, including cost, technology requirements, environmental impacts, and local community concerns. Additionally, it will assess how to ensure a secure, reliable, and affordable energy system for all.
“Publishing our methodology today represents a significant milestone as we move towards a more strategically planned energy system and a much larger network,” O’Neill added.
The SSEP will complement NESO’s previous work, including the ‘Clean Power 2030’ report, which advised the government on achieving 95% clean electricity by the end of the decade. The upcoming plan will focus on determining the best locations, quantities, and types of energy infrastructure needed for the net zero transition.
Barnaby Wharton, Director of Future Electricity Systems at RenewableUK, called the SSEP a critical step toward establishing a zero-carbon energy system, stating, “The certainty that this key blueprint will provide will help to attract billions in private investment, leading to tens of thousands of new jobs across the renewable energy sector, including our fast-growing supply chain based in the UK.”
In parallel with the SSEP, NESO is also developing a Centralised Strategic Network Plan (CSNP) to address both gas and electricity transmission networks up to 2050. Together, these efforts will support the delivery of affordable, clean, and secure power across the country.
