The Transitional Regional Energy Strategic Plan (tRESP) is a critical opportunity for local authorities to shape future energy infrastructure and secure investment aligned with local Net Zero ambitions. It aims to integrate local needs into national energy planning, enabling smarter, faster, and fairer network upgrades.
Unlock strategic investment in your local energy future
The first in a series of guides as part of the Ready for RESP programme, this is a short guide on the Transitional Regional Energy Strategic Plans (tRESP) and what local councils need to do.
The tRESP is a critical opportunity for local authorities to shape future energy infrastructure and secure investment aligned with local Net Zero ambitions. Developed by the National Energy System Operator (NESO), the tRESP aims to integrate local needs into national energy planning, enabling smarter, faster, and fairer network upgrades.
Local authorities were urged to submit strategic investment needs by 25 July 2025 to influence future network upgrades. This document explains how tRESP supports decarbonisation, economic growth, and energy planning across electricity, gas, and hydrogen. It provides practical steps, timelines, and resources to help councils engage effectively.
Ultimately, tRESP will empower councils to shape energy infrastructure, unlock funding, and ensure local development plans – such as housing, transport, and renewables – are supported by timely, targeted network investment.
Why it matters
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- Supports clean, reliable, and affordable energy access.
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- Informs network investments for 2028–2033 (RIIO-ED3).
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- Accelerates housing, transport, industrial, and renewable energy projects.
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- Ensures energy infrastructure supports regional economic growth.
Key actions for local authorities
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- Join your RESP forum (June–July 2025).
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- Submit your strategic priorities via NESO’s RFI by 25th July 2025.
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- Establish internal governance to coordinate responses.
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- Use your Local Plans, Net Zero strategies, and growth data to identify key projects.
What you’ll gain
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- Increased certainty for local projects.
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- Better alignment with grid infrastructure.
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- Stronger investment cases for funding and development.
Support and resources
The Ready for RESP 2025 programme – funded by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and commissioned by the Local Net Zero Hubs is being delivered by Energy Systems Catapult. The programme aims to offer expert guidance and help local authorities understand the process and respond effectively to RESP.
Learn more and access tools: Ready for RESP website.