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.
Here, Alex Temple pulls out some of the relevant points from Labour's first Budget in 14 years.
Alex Temple
This paper provides a comprehensive framework for how shared ownership can support a just energy transition, offering detailed actions for the UK government and GB Energy to harness its potential for people, planet and the UK's net zero mission.
Jessica Hogan
Prina Sumaria
Fraser Stewart
Merlin Hyman OBE
Regen director Johnny Gowdy gives his view on where REMA may have got to and what to expect next.
Johnny Gowdy
Rebecca Windemer sets out the key insights from the commissioning document, considering how this may intersect with the broader planning landscape.
Rebecca Windemer
Regen CEO Merlin Hyman, who chairs NESO's Connections Reform Steering Group, outlines the latest thinking and some of the key considerations for industry.
In September 2024, Repowering London brought to life their most ambitious public engagement to date: the Creative Energy Exhibition. Held at St Vincent’s Centre in Brixton, it was the culmination of several years of smaller community art workshops known as the Creative Energy Clubs, and aimed to showcase the creative potential of community energy while inviting public conversation in new ways.
Chloe Uden
Fraser Stewart argues that local and community energy should be included in that definition.
We review how Labour has done in their first 100 days in power and the progress made against our series of asks to put the country on course to deliver the 'clean power mission'.
Regen has submitted two responses to Ofgem's consultation on the Regional Energy Strategic Plans policy framework. Here, we summarise the key recommendations from the Regen and Net Zero Living responses.
Mollie Atherton
National Grid Electricity Distribution and Regen hosted an online event with a focus on two of the cheaper forms of renewable energy; onshore wind and rooftop solar.
Robbie Evans
This summer Ed Swain joined Regen as an intern, ahead of a move to Australia. Here, he summarises the projects he worked on and what he gained from the experience.
Grace Millman
Becky Fowell
We welcome the government's consultation on the National Planning Policy Framework, but the proposed changes fall short of what's needed to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy and energy storage projects at the scale and pace required.
With the retrofit market seemingly caught in an unhelpful feedback loop, Sophie Whinney argues that more integrated supply chain structures are necessary in order to build trust across the spectrum and create the levels of growth required to hit our decarbonisation targets.
Sophie Whinney
Rebecca Ford
We are pleased to showcase this year's key achievements in our annual review, which details how we've worked together with our members, partners and friends to overcome barriers in the energy transition and make progress towards a just transition to net zero energy.
Anna Ali
Grace Millman digs into the winners of today's auction, which awarded 5.4 GW of contracts across fixed and floating offshore wind and tidal stream, to explore what it means for the offshore sector.
In July, Regen hosted Northern Powergrid's annual community energy conferences in York and Newcastle bringing together community energy groups to hear from experts, discuss key topics from the sector and network with one another.
Alex Robertson
The Electricity Storage Network has responded to the National Fire Chiefs Council consultation on revised planning guidance for grid-scale energy storage, calling for more clarity in certain areas and further changes.
Olly Frankland
In this introductory blog, Polly Meyrick, this year's artist in residence, shares her thoughts on what she’s discovered so far and how she plans to respond to the residency theme: celebrating changemakers.
Polly Meyrick
Regen sets out the priorities for newly-established Onshore Wind Industry Taskforce.
Rachel Hayes
As part of Innovate UK's Net Zero Living programme, Regen has produced a briefing guide for local authorities about the Regional Energy Strategic Plan (RESP) policy framework.
Poppy Maltby
The announcement of a jump in the budget for the next Contracts for Difference allocation round, from £1bn to over £1.5bn, falls short of the doubling that industry had called for, but will nevertheless provide a much-needed uplift for renewable projects.
Regen, in partnership with the Carbon Trust, is proud to have supported the Welsh Government in developing this pivotal strategy.
Hazel Williams
With a raft of policy announcements, the launch of GB Energy and a sobering progress report from the CCC, plus the 2024 FES pathways, it's been yet another busy week for the energy sector.
Regen associate director Ray Arrell summarises the main themes emerging from the 2024 Future Energy Scenarios analysis.
Ray Arrell
Our paper ‘Accelerating Clean British Power’ sets out advice on the first actions needed from the new Labour government to put the country on course to drive forward its vital clean power mission.
Jonty Haynes
Today, the new government has removed the planning restrictions on onshore wind. Here, Rebecca Windemer summarises the changes and what we expect to see next.
Our latest insight paper sets out an agenda for an efficient GB electricity market that increases low-carbon investment and delivers consumer value.
As a key driver of local change, Dorset Council has taken an innovative approach to integrating barriers and mapping solutions locally, with help from Regen.
Regen has worked with the Energy Networks Association (ENA) to provide input to the future design and function of the Regional Energy Strategic Planners (RESPs), focused on the interaction between RESPs and DNOs.
Frank Hodgson
In our response to the government's recent call for evidence on the barriers to community energy, we've focused on the challenges facing generation projects, on the basis that the barriers around energy efficiency and retrofit require wider system change not specific to community energy.
Labour’s election manifesto promises to bring in much-needed changes to the planning system – but lacks detail on some critical aspects for delivering net zero.
Rebecca Windemer summarises the recommendations made by the Environmental Audit Committee as a result of the inquiry and outlines the additional steps we believe are necessary to achieve the transition to renewable energy.
With pre-election debate over green energy targets ramping up, we discuss what we actually mean by ‘clean power’ – and why ambition and leadership are equally important.
This report, funded by the European Climate Foundation, examines five issues that project developers and planners have told us are the key challenges for the planning system for renewables and storage in England.
Regen welcomes the National Infrastructure Committee's 2024 progress review, which calls for 'a concerted catch-up programme' to ensure the country's infrastructure is fit for the future.
Regen has worked with Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks and Environmental Project Support on this SIF Discovery phase project looking at non-network solutions to the barriers facing renewable energy generation on the Isle of Wight.
Ellie Brundrett
Tamar Bourne
Regen has worked with the MCS Foundation on a paper looking at what's needed to ensure the distribution network is ready for net zero.
This paper, sponsored by SSEN, sets out new thinking on the role of Regional Energy Strategic Planners and how processes today, such as network and local area energy planning, can evolve to unlock regional net zero ambitions.
In our response to the second Review of Electricity Market Arrangements consultation, we welcome the decision to drop nodal Locational Marginal Pricing and a Split Market and recommend now dropping zonal pricing.
Simon Gill
The Electricity Storage Network has responded to the second REMA consultation, calling for more details ahead of any final decisions in mid-2025.
As part of our DFES work for SSEN, we developed new 'vulnerability and just transition' scenarios that support more targeted investment ahead of need in lower-income areas.
Regen's response to the consultation on an 'accelerated planning system', co-signed by the Centre for Sustainable Energy, urges government to include – and prioritise – renewable energy projects.
Commissioned by Somerset Council, this guide sets out the current evidence on the energy system in Somerset and analyses the local resources to inform a potential Net Zero Pathway for the county.
Tamsyn Lonsdale-Smith
Regen has worked with Innovate UK to develop a Playbook for Network Innovation which gathers learnings from previous innovations to support future innovators on the journey to successful implementation and commercialisation.
Christine Chapter
Regen has responded to the latest round of the UK government's consultation on heat network zoning, highlighting two key improvements to focus on.
Regen was commissioned by the University of Strathclyde to synthesise the huge body of research conducted in the EnergyREV programme and identify key recommendations and next steps for delivering smart local energy systems.
On 7 March, Regen hosted the first National Grid Electricity Distribution (NGED) Net Zero Communities webinar of the year.
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