As part of the 2025 DFES update, we conducted an analysis of the growth and impact of data centres in National Grid Electricity Distribution’s licence areas. This paper summarises the potential future uptake of data centres, the geographical factors driving AI growth in particular areas, and commentary on the wider network and societal impacts of data centre development in the UK.
Our latest paper considers recent biomethane supply projections and assesses the likely feasibility of this ‘green gas’ replacing fossil fuels for consumer use.
Ray Arrell reflects on the process pioneered by Regen back in 2015 – and how it has developed into a detailed, bottom-up approach to regional network planning.
With planning a critical enabler of net zero, our latest briefing explores the scale of the challenge and some of the practical solutions already being explored by local planning authorities.
With zonal pricing now ruled out, Johnny Gowdy considers the challenges and opportunities still facing the government to deliver investment and meaningful benefits for consumers before the next election.
Regen has submitted a response to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, focusing on the proposed introduction of financial benefits for people living within 500 metres of new electricity transmission infrastructure.
Rebecca Windemer
By sharing lessons and insights from across the sector, this guide aims to support a more consistent, thoughtful and transparent approach to engagement.
Rachel Hayes
Regen is calling on DNOs to make wider data available to support the monitoring and improvement of the LCT connections process and aid the uptake of heat pumps, EVs and solar panels.
Frank Hodgson
Holly Hoban
As part of the Energy Security and Net Zero Committee's inquiry into the cost of energy, Regen has submitted evidence on the policy and regulatory interventions that could reduce consumer energy costs in the near term.
Ellie Brundrett
Fraser Stewart
Johnny Gowdy
In light of Orsted's decision to mothball its Hornsea 4 wind farm, Johnny Gowdy asks if it's time to think beyond CfDs when it comes to providing support for large project investments.
We welcome the development of a Land Use Framework to coordinate and guide decision making. Our response is focused on the implications of this for the renewable energy generation and storage sectors
The UK electricity storage sector has united to issue a joint statement condemning the use of forced labour in the global lithium-ion battery supply chain. Coordinated by the Electricity Storage Network, the statement represents a collective stance from leading industry players, affirming a shared commitment to human rights and promoting transparent and sustainable supply chain practices.
Anna Ali
When Tim Crook, Head of Demand and Flexibility at Regen, was awarded a Churchill Fellowship, he used it to investigate a deceptively simple question: how can we engage the public in the energy system — particularly in Demand Side Response (DSR) — in ways that are creative, novel, and fun?
Chloe Uden
When Sophie Whinney joined Regen, she was drawn by its willingness to experiment at the intersection of creativity and energy. Having nurtured her own artistic background alongside design and project management, Sophie became the driving force behind the development of Regen’s Art Lab – a residency programme that brought artists into dialogue with energy professionals.
Regen director Johnny Gowdy considers how shifting to an electricity market based on zonal pricing may impact consumers and how they might respond to more volatile, transient and diverse prices.
The GC0117 code change could impose major new burdens on embedded generation projects, warranting a full review to address overlooked costs and policy impacts.
Olly Frankland
Off the back of a Technical Decision Document published in mid-March, Ofgem has moved to formally open the first application window for the LDES cap and floor mechanism. Ray Arell explores the details of the application process.
Ray Arrell
The ‘Review of the Fuel Poverty Strategy’ consultation comes at a critical time in the net zero transition. Regen’s response is focused on the intersection between fuel poverty and net zero.
Prina Sumaria
Robbie Evans
The RESP policy framework decision provides fresh detail on the establishment of the locally informed process that will soon be at the heart of decisions about what the GB energy system looks like in the future.
Poppy Maltby
Winners have been announced in six award categories at the annual Green Energy Awards, hosted by Regen. The awards are a leading national celebration of the pioneering companies and inspiring people transforming the UK’s energy system.
Regen has responded to the government's consultation on further reforms to the Contracts for Difference (CfD) Scheme for Allocation Round 7 (AR7), emphasising the need to support high-quality projects that will contribute to the Clean Power 2030 target.
Grace Millman
Regen has responded to the government’s Planning Reform Working Paper on Planning Committees, highlighting key recommendations to enhance the process for renewable energy and storage developments.
Using ‘open-source’ analysis, Regen has explored how different regulatory and market reforms affect the investability of an example Scottish onshore wind farm.
Simon Gill
In February 2024, HM Treasury asked the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) to undertake a study on the challenges to making the electricity distribution networks in Great Britain fit for net zero.
Andrew Barry
Our letter to the Secretary of State highlights our concerns that converting the GB electricity market into one based on zonal pricing will undermine the clean power mission.
Merlin Hyman OBE
Alex Temple
Regen's response to the government working paper supports planning reforms that accelerate the energy transition by creating a simpler, faster planning process aligned with nature recovery goals.
Regen has responded to Ofgem’s consultation on the grid connections process, emphasising the vital role that timely, efficient and well-regulated connections play in achieving the UK’s net zero goals.
Hannah Stanley
With Ofgem’s expectations for the first transitional or ‘t-RESP’ published this week, Regen is supporting local authorities to prepare for this critical new part of local energy planning.
In this insight piece, graduate energy analyst Andrew Brand explores the barriers to greater use of public transport in the UK – and considers how an Integrated National Transport Strategy might encourage a shift.
Andrew Brand
This report, developed as part of Innovate UK’s Net Zero Living programme, sets out practical steps to ensure local net zero planning delivers real change, rather than gathering dust on the shelf.
Our latest paper for Innovate UK's Net Zero Living Programme looks at the challenges and opportunities of building a strong and resilient workforce to deliver the UK’s goals for warm homes over the next 10 years.
Sophie Whinney
Regen and the Electricity Storage Network have responded to Ofgem's open letter and call for input on the proposed design and implementation of the Long Duration Electricity Storage (LDES) cap and floor scheme.
Regen's response to this consultation welcomes the Welsh government's efforts to address the challenges facing the country's planning system.
Charlotte Wason
Our response sets out how we believe the framework can ensure the distribution network is the enabler of the transition to electrified heat and transport.
When Éva Goudouneix joined Repowering London, she didn’t expect her journey in community energy to lead her into art. Her work began with solar panels and cooperative models — not cyanotype prints and clay villages. But as she spent more time supporting communities to understand energy, something started to feel missing.
Robbie Evans looks at the standout moments and discussion points from the National Grid community energy forums in Exeter, Leicester, Birmingham and Swansea.
Regen has written to the National Energy System Operator (NESO), urging it to prioritise raising the Transmission Impact Assessment threshold in England and Wales.
Regen director Johnny Gowdy explores the causes of the 2024 constraint cost increase and what needs to be done to reduce these in the future.
Regen's planning lead, Rebecca Windemer, sets out initial thoughts on the revised National Planning Policy Framework.
Regen's consultation response focuses on how connections reform will impact achieving the CP30 mission and support the GB market to attract the scale and pace of investment in generation and storage projects required.
Fraser Stewart explains why shared ownership can support a more just energy transition.
Regen has sent a letter to the Secretary of State to ask about the 'needed' status of local and community energy in the government's soon-to-be-published Clean Power Plan.
Mollie Atherton
The latest paper from the Net Zero Living programme, sets out a vision for a thriving local energy future, complete with recommendations for unlocking this going forward.
Jessica Hogan
Regen's policy insights paper, produced for the Net Zero Living programme, provides advice and guidance on how to prepare institutionally for some of the changes that may come about as a result of the RESP.
Developed with the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Renewable & Sustainable Energy, this comprehensive guide aims to help MPs and others address common myths about onshore renewables.
Since 2017, Regen has supported the Welsh Government in setting out how energy is used in Wales, and how it has changed over time.
Patti S
Joel Venn
This analysis sets out how energy is generated in Wales, and how it has changed over time, to evidence the economic, community and environmental benefits from the development of Welsh energy projects.
Becky Fowell
Jonty Haynes
Johnny Gowdy sets out four reasons why the government should call time on the zonal pricing debate and quickly move forward with ambitious but progressive market reform that can be delivered within the existing decentralised national market arrangements.
Regen has supported the Great South West to develop its 2023 and 2024 Clean Energy Powerhouse Prospectus, showcasing the region's energy generation opportunities.
Shona R
Regen has joined a coalition of leading organisations to urge the Secretary of State to ensure that local and community energy is designated as 'needed' in the Clean Power 2030 Plan and any subsequent grid connections reform.
Tamsyn Lonsdale-Smith discusses the historic timescale analysis we carried out as part of this work, comparing results from different technologies using publicly available planning data.
Tamsyn Lonsdale-Smith
NESO published the much trailed Clean Power 2030 advice to government on 5 November, providing a plan setting out how much of the technologies we need, where we need them – and what the key barriers are.
The ENA's Strategic Connections Group hosted a workshop this week on raising entry requirements for projects applying for grid connections at distribution level, and planned changes to G99 connection procedures.
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