MANCHESTER, 16 May 2025 — UK100, the UK's only cross-party network of local leaders committed to ambitious climate action, has responded to Ofgem's approval of the Strategic Spatial Energy Plan (SSEP) methodology, highlighting both progress and significant integration challenges.

The decision, approved on 15 May 2025, establishes a comprehensive framework for identifying where and when generation and storage infrastructure needs to be built to drive the transition. However, UK100 warns that without proper integration of Local Area Energy Plans (LAEPs), the multi-layered approach risks creating disconnected planning systems.

Liam Ward, Communications and Advocacy Manager at UK100, says:

"We welcome the publication of the Strategic Spatial Energy Plan methodology as another important step towards delivering the government's Clean Energy Mission, but there are some critical questions left unanswered.

"While there is a mismatch between SSEP's 17 economic zones and the RESP regional footprints, the critical issue for local authorities is how Local Area Energy Plans (LAEPs) can effectively feed into this multi-layered approach. LAEPs provide data-driven, evidence-based pathways for specific local areas that, as part of a whole systems place-based approach to climate action, could reduce costs by over two-thirds while almost doubling bill savings compared to national approaches.

"As we highlighted in our recent 'Local Net Zero 2.0' report, a national framework for LAEPs would give local and regional authorities a strategic role in energy planning. Wales has demonstrated what's possible by funding LAEPs for all local authorities, creating a comprehensive framework where local plans inform national strategy.

"With Great British Energy legislation now passing through Parliament, there's an unprecedented opportunity to create an integrated energy ecosystem where LAEPs provide granular, place-based evidence that informs RESP development, which in turn feeds into the national SSEP framework. This would ensure both local democratic accountability and strategic coordination across wider areas.

"The government should implement a national framework for LAEPs with dedicated funding, giving councils the powers and resources they need to develop energy plans that can truly inform both regional and national strategies. Without this foundation, we risk creating disconnected layers of energy planning that fail to maximise local benefits and community engagement."

UK100 has consistently advocated for a national framework for Local Area Energy Planning, with dedicated non-competitive funding, to support local authorities in driving a rapid, fair transition to clean energy. The network stands ready to work with Ofgem, NESO and local authorities to ensure the SSEP framework empowers rather than constrains local energy planning and decision-making.