Local area energy planning

Local area energy planning or LAEP is a process aimed at driving effective local action towards the UK's 2050 net zero greenhouse gas emissions target. It gives local leaders an action plan that considers both local and national efforts, incorporating technical insights, non-technical aspects, and stakeholder engagement. We are here to provide technical support and to release network capacity where & when it is needed.

What is Local Area Energy Planning?

Local Area Energy Planning (LAEP) is a comprehensive, ground-up approach that guides a region towards achieving net zero emissions. It encompasses a whole system approach meaning all parts of the system are mapped including energy supply and demand, transport, buildings, local industry and the environment. These plans incorporate not only technical considerations but also account for non-technical elements and new technologies. LAEP's primary goal is to outline the most efficient and economical route for decarbonisation in a local area, providing a clear action plan.

These plans span from individual cities and districts to county councils and combined authorities, aligning with various levels of local governance. LAEP’s bring together diverse stakeholders such as energy companies, industries, and community groups with a process that involves continuous collaboration leading to data-driven, realistic action plans that are regularly updated to accommodate technological, local, and political changes.

How we facilitate Local Area Energy Planning

Our role as the North West’s electricity distribution network operator is to support local authorities by ensuring the electricity network can handle the expected extra capacity and grid connections as well as reducing peak energy demand via ‘smart’ or flexible electricity systems. We are here to provide technical support, transparent data and assist in the development of Local Area Energy Planning.

We offer regular meetings with each local authority
Workshop for combined authorities
Our network development engineers are a designated point of contact for LEAPs
To access our templates, simply scroll down this page. Included is a presentation which covers the high-level process

We're proud to have facilitated Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) in their LEAPs. As a ‘trailblazer’ city region, they are the first region to complete LAEPs at scale.

Our Local Area Energy Planning contacts

Christos Kaloudas

Capacity Strategy Lead manager

Christos Kaloudas

Capacity Strategy Lead manager

Christos Kaloudas has been with Electricity North West since 2015 and is currently the Capacity Strategy Lead manager in the Asset & Technology directorate. In his current role, Christos is leading our demand & generation forecasting, the network reinforcement planning and the technical engagement with stakeholders on Local Area Energy Planning (LAEP) and other developments. He holds a PhD in power systems and has over 15 years experience in electricity industry and industrial research on power systems in the UK and EU.

Ivan Bolotkov

Network Development Engineer

Ivan Bolotkov

Network Development Engineer

Ivan holds an MSc in Sustainable Electrical Power from Brunel University. With over 15 years of experience in engineering and managerial roles working in the electricity industry. His experience covers a wide range of electricity sector organisations from OEM, ECP to DNO, including design, commissioning, innovation and project management, tendering and power system studies responsibilities.

Since joining the Capacity Strategy Team in 2022 he has been responsible for engagement with local authorities on LAEP, provision of technical guidance to support LAEP and production of network development plans to facilitate LAEPs.

Antonella Maria De Corato

Network Development Engineer

Antonella Maria De Corato

Network Development Engineer

Joining our Capacity Strategy Team in July 2024, Antonella supports local authorities engagement to gain a better understanding of their plans to forecast future network capacity needs to enable us to proactively reinforce our network and release capacity in the right place, at the right time.

Received her M.Sc. degree in electrical engineering from the Polytechnic University of Bari, Italy in 2019 and holds a PhD in power systems from the University of Melbourne, Australia. She has over 5 years of experience in modelling as well as industrial research on power systems in Australia and EU. Her experience covers cross-vector energy system optimisation, electrification of heating and grid integration of LCTs.

Supporting documents

Distribution future electricity scenarios

We hold all of our smart street PDFs and documentation, covering strategy, implementation and much more. You can view this information by clicking the link and opening one of the files or downloading it

Network Development Plan

Our Network Development Plan (NDP) shows where new connections are suitable and where flexibility services may be advantageous. It also provides information on how we intend to create capacity over the next ten years.

Embedded Capacity Register

The Embedded Capacity Register provides information on generation and storage resources (≥50kW) that are connected or accepted to connect to our network.

Book a meeting

Please fill out our short online form to schedule a meeting with our team at a time and date that suits your convenience.

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Email the team

Have a question or would like some help with your local area energy planning, email the team today

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Local area energy planning