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Written question asked by Wera Hobhouse (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 9 July 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 13 July 2026. It was answered by Michael Shanks (Labour) on Friday, 17 July 2026 on behalf of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.

National Grid: Infrastructure

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential for empowering local authorities to assess flexibility and microgrid opportunities before pursuing network buildout, in the context of the recommendations in the ADE: Demand report entitled Powered by People, Powered by Place.

Answer

The Government has noted the Association for Decentralised Energy's report, Powered by People, Powered by Place, and recognises the importance of local evidence in identifying flexibility and other opportunities before network investment decisions are made.

The Regional Energy Strategic Plans (RESPs) methodology, being developed by the National Energy System Operator, proposes bringing together local authorities and stakeholders to help provide a whole-energy and bottom-up view of how local energy systems need to evolve to meet local and national priorities. Distribution Network Operators would remain responsible for detailed network planning, including flexibility, microgrid opportunities and network investment, informed by RESP outputs.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
17383
Session
2026-27
Subjects
Electricity Infrastructure Local government Powers National grid
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk