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.
Informed by extensive member engagement, the response highlights key concerns regarding project eligibility, assessment transparency, and the need for clearer guidance and targets.
Olly Frankland
With RESP teams seeking information from local authorities on the additional strategic investments that might be needed in the local electricity networks, we explain the tight deadline, outline what exactly NESO is looking for and suggest how to go about responding.
Poppy Maltby
Fraser Stewart
Jonty Haynes
Our work with Consumer Scotland explores how the retail energy market could evolve to ensure that the transition to a cleaner, smarter energy system seizes the opportunities to tackle social injustices head-on.
Tamar Bourne
This insight paper from our work with Innovate UK's Net Zero Living cohort of local authorities summarises the opportunities and challenges for retrofitting older properties and sets out practical solutions to accelerate progress.
Holly Hoban
“I used to think it was tea and biscuits. Now I think it’s about helping people into a parasympathetic state — where they feel safe enough to share ideas. You create the right space, then sparks fly.”
Chloe Uden
Regen’s heat and buildings lead, Peter Griffin, summarises the key points from our response to the government's consultation on expanding the Boiler Upgrade Scheme to increase access and stimulate further demand.
Peter Griffin
Following engagement with developers and investors, we've updated our previous paper and set out three recommendations to ensure that onshore wind can support delivery of Clean Power 2030.
Simon Gill
Rachel Hayes, founder of Regen's women in renewable energy network, ReWiRE, looks at ways the sector can attract and retain the diverse talent it needs to innovate, grow and lead the transition to net zero.
Rachel Hayes
In 2023–2024, Regen partnered with the Welsh Government and the Welsh Government Energy Service to explore the role of the culture sector in tackling the climate and nature emergencies. The project aimed to understand how the sector could lead by example, adapt its practices, and inspire wider public engagement. The resulting reports are now shaping future policy and investment in the sector.
Regen supports measures to ensure the planning system for renewable energy and storage projects is as quick, effective and clear as possible, while keeping local communities at the heart of the energy transition.
Rebecca Windemer
We Are All People of Power is a striking portrait and film series created by artist Polly Meyrick during her residency with Regen’s Art Lab programme.
Our latest research with the Royal Town Planning Institute reveals significant challenges and missed opportunities for local authorities trying to deliver clean energy and heat and recommends a series of actions for central government that would enable better integration and unlock more efficient decision making at the local level.
Hazel Williams
After being awarded Net Zero Developer at Regen’s Green Energy Awards, Thrive Renewables reflects on 30 years of bringing together people, proven technology and a pioneering approach to accelerate the rollout of renewables.
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.
By sharing lessons and insights from across the sector, this guide aims to support a more consistent, thoughtful and transparent approach to engagement.
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
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
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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