Wales invited to shape new regional energy strategy
NESO calls on businesses, councils and communities to help design a bespoke Regional Energy Strategic Plan for Wales, aiming to guide future infrastructure and investment.
Businesses, councils, academics and community groups across Wales have been invited to help shape a new long‑term plan for the country’s future energy system.
The National Energy System Operator (NESO) is now seeking Welsh input as it drafts a bespoke Regional Energy Strategic Plan (RESP) for Wales, part of a series of plans being produced for the whole of Great Britain.
The Welsh RESP will map future energy needs, outline required infrastructure and flag investment opportunities, with the aim of giving a clearer picture of how the energy landscape will evolve over the coming decades.
NESO says the plan will be built in partnership with the Welsh Government, local authorities, academia, the third sector and businesses, ensuring that Wales’ own priorities and ambitions are reflected.
Organisations and stakeholders can now submit expressions of interest to join the governance and engagement structures that will steer the Welsh RESP, with the deadline set for 9 October.
Laura Lotinga, NESO’s Corporate Affairs Director, highlighted the significance of the exercise, stating: “Wales has strong renewable energy resources, innovative businesses, ambitious communities and a proud industrial heritage.”
She added: “Across the country there are significant opportunities to attract investment, support new industries and strengthen local economies.” Our role is to help ensure the energy system supports those ambitions.”
Lotinga continued: “The Welsh Regional Energy Strategic Plan will provide a clearer strategic picture of future energy needs and opportunities across Wales.” This can help reduce uncertainty, support investment decisions and ensure future planning reflects the needs and ambitions of Welsh communities.”
She concluded: “That’s why NESO is asking Welsh organisations and stakeholders to engage with us to support the Welsh RESP plan.” Together we can ensure Wales has a strong voice in developing the energy system that will serve us for decades to come.”
NESO, an independent publicly owned body, operates the electricity system for Great Britain and takes a strategic view of the wider energy transition.
Its Regional Energy Strategic Plans are designed to bring national energy planning closer to regional and local priorities, offering a longer‑term outlook that can inform decisions on infrastructure, investment and future demand.
For Wales, the plan arrives at a time when renewable generation – particularly onshore wind, offshore wind and marine energy – is expanding rapidly, while the country seeks to decarbonise heavy industry and transport.
Local authorities have already begun to identify sites for new grid connections and storage facilities, but many say they need clearer guidance on future demand to prioritise projects effectively.
Academic researchers at Cardiff University and Swansea University have been modelling scenarios that could see Wales generating a substantial share of its electricity from renewables by 2035, yet they stress that coordinated planning is essential to avoid bottlenecks.
Community energy groups, such as those in the Valleys and coastal towns, are also keen to have a seat at the table, hoping the RESP will recognise the role of locally owned projects in delivering clean power and local jobs.
Industry bodies argue that a transparent, Wales‑specific plan could unlock private capital, as investors look for certainty before committing to large‑scale projects.
Meanwhile, the Welsh Government has pledged to align its climate targets with the forthcoming plan, ensuring policy and funding streams are consistent with the strategic picture that NESO will produce.
Stakeholders are encouraged to submit their interest via NESO’s online portal, where they can outline the expertise they would bring to the governance framework.
The consultation process will run through the autumn, with a draft Welsh RESP expected to be published early next year, feeding into the broader GB‑wide energy strategy that aims to secure supply, drive economic growth and deliver energy security for consumers.
By involving a wide cross‑section of Welsh voices, NESO hopes the final plan will not only chart a technical roadmap but also reflect the social and economic aspirations of communities across the nation.