Distribution network operator (DNO) Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) is supporting local authorities in its licence areas by allocating graduates to help them accelerate their local net zero plans.
Until the early Autumn, the SSEN graduates will work with teams from six local authorities, adding to the support the local authorities already receive from SSEN’s Net Zero Engagement Specialists.
The graduates’ work will help test SSEN’s LENZA (Local Energy Net Zero Accelerator) tool used in developing Local Area Energy Plans (LAEPs). They will allow SSEN to test the tool’s functionality in real-world situations, while also helping develop local authorities’ own insights and inform their forthcoming planning decisions.
The local authorities SSEN’s graduates will be working with are Winchester City Council, West Sussex County Council, Wiltshire Council, The Highland Council, Oxford City Council, and Southampton City Council.
Sarah Kerr, who is one of SSEN’s Net Zero Engagement Specialists and is co-ordinating the graduate programme with local authorities said: “It’ll be great to see how our excellent group of graduates will both support our local authority stakeholders and put LENZA through its paces.” She added, “This is the first time we’ve offered this particular kind of support, so we’ll be assessing its effectiveness over the coming weeks to see how we can further develop the assistance we offer local authorities in our licence areas”.
Councillor Kelsie Learney, who is Cabinet member for climate emergency at Winchester City Council, said: “Infrastructure is proving a major barrier to decarbonising our district, whether it’s supplying renewable energy into the grid or powering and heating our homes, vehicles, and workplaces with zero carbon electricity.
“The dedicated resource provided by SSEN through this collaborative pilot project will support the development of our Local Area Energy Plan, helping us plan the strategic improvements which will lead to the Winchester District going greener, faster.”