Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) Distribution has set out its long-term vision for how local electricity networks can deliver decarbonisation, unlock economic growth and drive consumer value.
In its ED3 vision, Empowering Communities, Enabling Growth, the Distribution Network Operator has outlined its emerging thinking for the forthcoming ED3 price control – a week after Ofgem’s blueprint for the crucial five-year period due to commence in 2028.
ED3 is a vital element of a longer-term strategic plan for the delivery of transformational network investment, and as a ‘staging post’ on the way to enabling delivery of the Government’s decarbonisation targets to 2050.
SSEN’s plans focus on delivering sustainable economic growth for communities, with distribution having a “clear role in ensuring increased electrification across society and local economies”, it said.
The upcoming price control period will form a core part of SSEN’s long-term plans to support economic growth and decarbonisation through a transformation of electricity distribution networks and supportive policy and regulatory frameworks to enable this will be vital.
Its priorities include driving economic growth and enrich the communities and environments, developing agile and digitally-enabled electricity networks; and ensuring SSEN’s business and network is resilient in the face of growing challenges.
The launch of the publication will be followed by engagement to build a stakeholder-led business plan, submitted to Ofgem next year, it said.
The plan will include exploring the use of the ‘Six Capitals Framework’ – including societal, environmental and financial – and will inform engagement with customers and stakeholders.
SSEN’s Strategic Development Plans (SDPs) will also act as a blueprint of long-term electricity system needs from now through to 2050. It said these will be updated annually as energy projections change, helping customers – and central and local government – understand capacity growth and act as a crucial link to NESO’s emerging work on Regional Energy Strategic Plans (RESP).
Chris Burchell, SSEN Distribution’s Managing Director, said:
“The importance of distribution networks has never been clearer and, as we approach the critical ED3 period, we are also clear about our role; to develop our network and services to empower communities and enable growth. By doing this, we’ll help families and communities realise the societal and economic benefits we know decarbonisation will bring.
“With that goal as our guide, this document sets out our long-term priorities and our emerging thinking for the next regulatory period. This is intended to start an open and honest conversation with our customers and stakeholders about what they want to see us prioritise and develop in ED3, helping us build a truly customer- and stakeholder-led business plan.
“We’ll continue to work proactively with Ofgem in the coming months to help develop a price control framework for ED3 which gives us the solid basis to deliver these plans for the people and places we’re proud to serve.”
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