Northern Powergrid has partnered with spatial analytics and software company Advanced Infrastructure to offer its spatial planning platform LAEP+ for free to local authorities.
Starting from Autumn 2025, local authorities in its licence area can use the tool to save up to 54% – around £50,000 – on the cost of creating a Local Area Energy Plan (LAEP), compared to traditional consultancy methods.
This saving makes data-driven planning far more accessible, particularly for councils operating with limited resources, Northern Powergrid claims.
LAEP+ will complement existing support available from Northern Powergrid’s Regional Insights team and Open Data Portal, it said.
Designed for both technical and non-technical users, LAEP+ is an intuitive, web-based platform that allows councils to create Local Area Energy Plans (LAEPs), model low-carbon projects, explore future energy scenarios, and engage stakeholders through interactive data visualisation.
It includes access to key datasets such as network data, fuel poverty indicators and building stock information, helping councils target interventions where they are needed most.
Already deployed across 200 local authorities across the UK, LAEP+ pinpoints areas eligible for funding schemes such as LEVI and Solar Together, with outputs easily exportable for consultations, reporting, or funding applications.
Siobhan Barton, Head of Sustainability and Regional Engagement at Northern Powergrid said:
“Local authorities are at the heart of the UK’s transition to a Net Zero future, and we recognise the critical role they play in shaping and delivering sustainable energy plans.
“That’s why we’re committed to working in close partnership with local government—providing the tools, insights and support they need to succeed.
“Through our dedicated regional insights function, we’re able to offer a deep understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities across our communities.
“This enables us to collaborate effectively with major stakeholders, provide tailored support and ensure that our collective efforts deliver meaningful, long-term benefits for the people and places we serve.”
Dominic Brown, Net Zero Project Manager at York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority, said:
“As part of our commitment to providing clean energy to homes and businesses in York and North Yorkshire, we’re exploring ways to attract private sector partners to invest in efficient, low carbon energy.
“Our Local Net Zero Accelerator Programme (LNZA) is being developed to achieve this ambition, so it’s vital we understand the assets in our region, and how to represent them visually to investors.
“The LAEP+ tool will play a key role in supporting York and North Yorkshire achieve this, and in-turn play a part in our strategic goal of a carbon negative region by 2040.”
Lily Cairns Haylor, Head of Product at Advanced Infrastructure said:
“We designed LAEP+ to be accessible and practical for all local authority users, regardless of their technical background. By providing essential datasets and easy-to-use modelling tools, we’re empowering councils to take control of their net zero planning while reducing costs and improving collaboration with Northern Powergrid. This partnership marks a significant step forward in making sustainable energy planning more inclusive and effective across the region.”
