Regen

💥NESO have today submitted the connections reform 'package' of Code Modifications and Connections Reform Methodologies.https://https://lnkd.in/eaqTVVBv 🙏 Developing this complex reform has been a truly Stakhanovite effort from the NESO team for which they deserve our thanks. Most of the key changes from the consultation have already been announced - in particular the new spatial breakdown of technologies in CP30 and the open letter setting out grandfathering of 'well-advanced' projects. However, there are some important points of detail. 👉 There is flexibility for projects that have applied for planning by today that are rejected and appeal "if the User successfully appeals the planning decision....then the project will be deemed to have met the Gate 2 Strategic Alignment Criteria". 👉 Grandfathered projects also go first in the queue formation. If a technology pot in a zone is filled up by projects with planning - there will be no more projects considered to be CP30 aligned. This looks likely for storage in NGED's region for example. ⁉️ developers will be disappointed by the decision not to build in attrition "we are not intending to increase the permitted capacities for projects in the reformed queue beyond the permitted capacities set out in the CP30 Action Plan. Our view is that the reformed connection queue will include sufficient projects and capacity so that competition for CfDs or CM contracts will not be negatively impacted and is even likely to increase in future". The baton is now handed to Ofgem who are expected to make a decision by the end of March. Assuming this is positive "project developers in the current queue would be provided with a period of time (no less than 2 weeks, occurring no less than 4 weeks after the implementation date into the codes) to submit a Gate 2 declaration/application". NESO will then review evidence submitted by Users and work with network companies to start to establish the new connections queue via the ‘Gate 2 to Whole Queue’ exercise. "We intend to start to issue Gate 1 offers from Q2 2025 and we are committed to issuing Gate 2 offers as soon as possible in 2025." We can all read in more detail in January - for now have a very happy Christmas!

Next month we'll be launching We Are All People of Power - a portrait series and film celebrating eight individuals who are shaping the energy transition in unique and inspiring ways. In this behind-the-scenes outtake, Regen artist-in-residence Polly Meyrick and Art Lab lead Sophie Whinney discuss how it's going with filmmaker Daniel Frampton. You can see the full film of their journey across Devon to meet these changemakers on the Smiley Charity Film Awards website, where you can also vote for it to win an award! 👉 https://lnkd.in/gnM77zjN Polly's subjects will see their portraits for the first time at a private view at Exeter Phoenix on 21 January. To join them and enjoy a screening of the film, followed by a Q&A, click here 👉 https://lnkd.in/dtWQXpyQ With thanks to the participants for sharing their time and wisdom with us: 💚 Tara Bowers of Exeter Community Energy 💚 Martyn Bragg of Shillingford Organics 💚 Faithfull Chanda of National Grid Electricity Distribution 💚 Guy Parker of WYCHWOOD BIODIVERSITY LIMITED 💚 Rhiannon de Wreede of Warmur 💚 Kate Galliford of the Beacon Centre Exeter 💚 Will Page of Ride On - Cycling For All 💚 Jimi Hammonds of Yealm Electric Water Taxi Regen's Art Lab programme offers our energy and system change expertise to creatives grappling with climate change themes, to help bridge the gap between energy and art so we can learn from each other and explore key challenges together. To find out more, click here: https://lnkd.in/eBiCFJXu

We're pleased to share our joint report with the Green Finance Institute, which highlights the opportunities to leverage private finance for energy network innovation. Networks are the backbone of our energy system and accelerating innovation is essential to achieve the scale and pace of transformation required for net zero. Significant investment is needed to support the commercialisation and scaling of new technologies and services, yet innovators face a range of barriers to accessing finance. 'What next for financing network innovation?' identifies actionable solutions to unlock private finance and drive the innovation needed to future-proof our energy networks. These span policy, regulation and financial interventions that offer a pathway to action through industry and public collaboration. Addressing these barriers will enable the UK’s financial sector to capture the opportunities offered by network innovators while also allowing the networks to decarbonise at pace. You can read the report here: https://lnkd.in/ecWc3xFu Thanks to Ellie B., Alex Robertson and our head of innovation Tamar Bourne for carrying out this important piece of work.

📢 Ofgem calls for input on the implementation of the LDES cap and floor mechanism On top of the myriad of government consultations already out, Ofgem have issued an open letter and call for input on the new cap and floor mechanism for long duration electricity storage (LDES) projects. 📅 Responses are due 8th January (!) ℹ️ This letter is essentially a 'prequel' to a fuller consultation around the highly anticipated Technical Decision Document for the LDES cap and floor scheme. But even as a lighter touch call for input, this letter asks a range of questions around specific technical areas of this as a new market mechanism. I have summarised some of these areas in the article below 👉 https://lnkd.in/eF3jg3WG Regen and the Electricity Storage Network will be aiming to review these questions in more detail and submit a response to this consultation in the new year. We'd welcome any input/views! #ldes #electricitystorage #capandfloor #longdurationenergystorage #newtechnology #energymarkets #electricitysystem

With Christmas just around the corner and a lot of work being finished off, we’ve extended the Green Energy Awards nomination deadline to Friday 10 January! As such, there is still time to nominate the individuals and organisations revolutionising in our brilliant sector. In doing so, you help to celebrate the outstanding ideas and projects that truly deserve recognition.   As you know nominations are free, take about 20 minutes, and can be submitted by anyone—including self-nominations. A quick reminder of the categories here: 🔅 Clean Energy Project 🔅 Community Energy Initiative 🔅 Just Transition Scheme 🔅 Local and Public Sector Net Zero Transformation 🔅 Net Zero Energy Developer 🔅 Net Zero Energy Pioneer 🔅 Whole System Innovation https://lnkd.in/ep3JXukU A huge thanks to our sponsors Bevan Brittan LLP, Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks, Innovation Broking (Jonathan Marlow), National Grid Electricity Distribution and GA Solicitors (Helen Rumford)

🏛️ Big changes ahead for local government in England The government’s devolution white paper, released yesterday, outlines plans to streamline local authorities into regional 'Strategic Authorities' with more decision-making power, aiming to replicate successes like Greater Manchester. We've sent our members a detailed update on what all this means, but here are the key takeaways: 👉 Elected mayors to lead with greater accountability. 👉 Simplified funding to reduce inefficiency. 👉 Integrated budgets for housing, transport, skills and more. 👉 Enhanced transport powers, including bus franchising and rail management. 👉 Strategic planning for growth, with a focus on energy and sustainability. These reforms pave the way for transformative local leadership while supporting the clean energy transition. Regen will be working closely with our members to shape these policies and ensure a fair path to net zero. To be part of that conversation, take a look at our membership options: https://lnkd.in/eVZz6Sbb #localgovernment #devolution #netzero #cleanenergy

Listen to Regen chief executive Merlin Hyman OBE interviewed on LBC about the impact of the Clean Power Plan, where he talked about the importance of involving communities. "This is an exciting vision; a lot of opportunities nationally and locally and we need to try and engage and give people a chance to really come along with that," he said. "There is change, but I think there's broad support." Listen to the full interview below.

What is community shared ownership of renewable energy infrastructure? What opportunities and challenges does it present for communities and renewable energy developers? What’s the link between big wind and solar farms, tackling fuel poverty and making our housing stock more energy efficient? It was a pleasure to join Jessica Hogan, Energy Analyst at Regen, on the Local Zero Podcast, hosted by Fraser Stewart and Matthew Hannon, to discuss Regen's new report, "Sharing Power: Unlocking shared ownership for a fast and fair net zero transition". https://lnkd.in/enfH_t_d

An exciting couple of days.. the NPPF was published today and tomorrow we will see the Clean Power 2030 plan. My initial thoughts on the NPPF are set out in this blog post. Overall while there are some positives, its not going far enough to ensure that renewable energy and storage projects will be developed at the pace required. Key points include: ✅ Re-introduction of onshore wind (over 100MW) back into the NSIP regime. ✅LPA's required to give significant weight to the benefits of utilising an established site when considering proposals for repowering and life-extension. ✅Paragraph 165(b) has been reverted to its previous wording, wherein Local Plans should “consider identifying” rather than being required to identify suitable sites for renewables. We see this as positive, enabling flexibility for LPAs, particularly given resourcing constraints. 👉 Local planning authorities should give 'significant' weight to the benefits associated with renewable and low-carbon energy generation, but this is not aligning with the stronger wording used for NSIP projects which are a Critical National Priority and given 'substantial' weight. 👉Positive addition of paragraph 163, which states that “the need to mitigate and adapt to climate change should ... be considered in preparing and assessing planning applications" however there is a significant missed opportunity to more explicitly prioritise action on climate change. 🚨 Policy change won’t have the desired impact unless we address local authority resourcing. The government has confirmed its commitment to hiring 300 new local authority planners, but this is not enough - there is a need for more action on resourcing and training. https://lnkd.in/eGYQVNdY

⏳ Last chance to nominate for the Green Energy Awards! ⏳ The clock is ticking! 🚨 The nomination window for the Green Energy Awards closes next Wednesday – don’t miss your chance to be recognised as one of the sector's trailblazers. If you know a person, project or organisation making a real impact, why not shine a spotlight on their achievements? There are seven categories to choose from! 🌟 The process takes no more than 20 minutes. Find out more and nominate here 👉 https://lnkd.in/d5mp8R32 A huge thank-you to the award sponsors 💚 Bevan Brittan LLP | Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks | Innovation Broking | National Grid Electricity Distribution | GA Solicitors