Summary
Discover the transformative power of Local Area Energy Planning (LAEP) in Oxfordshire, shaping a sustainable energy future and supporting the county's journey to net zero. LAEP empowers communities and decision-makers to co-create localised energy solutions, ensuring Oxfordshire thrives environmentally and economically. From renewable energy integration to energy efficiency strategies, LAEP fosters a resilient and green energy landscape, securing a brighter future for residents.
Key Outputs
Local Area Energy Planning (LAEP) provides an action plan for local leaders that also takes into account energy and infrastructure plans at the national level. It incorporates technical evidence on the whole energy system, wider non-technical factors, and engagement with stakeholders.
LAEP aims to deliver cost savings, social benefits and a more coordinated energy transition by taking a proactive, whole-systems, place-specific approach to energy planning.
Key outputs should include:
- Renewable energy integration: strategies for the increased use of renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, and hydropower, to reduce dependence on non-renewable and environmentally harmful resources.
- Community resilience: strengthening the resilience of the local energy system to external shocks, ensuring continuous access to energy during emergencies or disruptions.
- Energy efficiency: implementing measures to improve energy efficiency in buildings, transportation, and industrial processes, reducing overall energy consumption and costs.
- Carbon reduction: set and achieve targets for carbon reduction, contributing to broader efforts to combat climate change and create a more sustainable and environmentally friendly community.
- Inclusive decision-making: fostering inclusive decision-making processes that involve diverse stakeholders, including residents, businesses, and policymakers, to ensure a well-rounded and representative approach to energy planning.
- Infrastructure development: planning and implementing necessary energy infrastructure projects, including smart grids, storage facilities, and distribution networks, to support the evolving energy needs of the community.
- Policy recommendations: providing evidence-based recommendations for the development and improvement of energy-related policies, regulations, and incentives
Current Status
In March 2023, local authority and Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (OxLEP) representatives had an initial exploratory session to explore the role and need for local area energy planning in Oxfordshire and considered different options regarding scales of delivery
An Executive Steering Board and multi-agency working group have been established. These bring together council representatives, Electricity Distribution Network Operators (DNOs), the gas distributor, and other key strategic partners to provide the strategic direction and practical support needed to embed the local area energy planning approach in Oxfordshire.
The Local Energy Oxfordshire (LEO) LAEP+ mapping tool developed through Project LEO provides key data and insight to inform local area energy planning, whilst insights from the various LEO asset and place-based trials offer ideas for innovative decentralised, local energy solutions.
Further Information
Read HM Government's research briefing on Local Area Energy Planning.
See a case study of a Local Area Energy Plan from Manchester Greater Authority.
Related News
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The Future Oxfordshire Partnership, a committee of Oxfordshire's six local authorities working with key strategic partners working to deliver a sustainable future for the county, calls to address critical concerns hindering net zero ambitions in the region.
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On Wednesday 27 September, following the cessation of work on the Oxfordshire Plan 2050, the Future Oxfordshire Partnership agreed a new approach to co-ordinating planning across the county by updating the remit of the Oxfordshire Plan Advisory Group.
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