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Local Area Energy Planning

Local Area Energy Planning provides us with the information on current energy infrastructure and what we need in the future to support the transition to low carbon energy for Cambridgeshire. This will help us plan where it needs to be located and to deliver affordable, sustainable and accessible energy infrastructure across the area.

Working with our partners, Local Area Energy Planning (LAEP) allows us to take the first steps to planning how energy across the county can meet future demand, build energy resilience, and support the local economy to help meet the county’s Net Zero ambitions.

lightbulb connected to different energy sources

Who are we working with?

We are working in partnership with Cambridge City Council, Huntingdonshire District Council, South Cambridgeshire District Council, East Cambridgeshire District Council and the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority on this project.

The partnership is working closely with UK Power Networks, the local Distribution Network, who own and maintain electricity cables and lines across the East of England. They are playing an active role in shaping the LAEP to make sure it aligned and supports their future network planning.

We are also collaborating with the Greater South East Net Zero Hub (GSENZH) as well as the University of Cambridge and Anglia Ruskin University to share key research and best practice to make sure our LAEP is at the cutting-edge of energy system planning.

As we progress, we will want to hear views from our communities, residents and businesses to make sure we successfully plan our future energy infrastructure.

Local Area Energy Planning (LAEP) is a pioneering planning approach which addresses the whole energy system including power, heat, transport and storage, to deliver an evidence-base for change and set out a plan for implementation.

LAEPs are led by local government and developed collaboratively with stakeholders. We will develop the LAEP with a wide range of community and industry stakeholders.

As we move away from fossil fuels, electricity will become the main source of energy for our day-to-day activities, like heating our homes or driving our cars. Cambridgeshire is also an area of growth, with significant numbers of new housing, businesses and research coming forward over the next decade.

Despite efforts to manage this new demand it is anticipated that there will be a doubling of energy demand by 2050 (compared to 2018 usage levels). For just Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire alone, a tripling in demand for electricity has been forecast for by 2050 (compared to a 2021 baseline).

We need more low carbon infrastructure across the energy system to ensure we can meet increases in demand and the LAEP will allow us to effectively plan for this demand.

The Local Area Energy Plan will look at how energy is used, supplied and managed. It will identify and recommend required changes to local energy systems concerning energy demand, transport, renewable energy demand, energy storage, and flexibility to help the county area become net-zero. 

The plan will build on our current renewable energy ambitions to facilitate new green industries.  As well as examining the types of technologies and fuels needed, the LAEP will propose changes and additions to existing energy infrastructure and make recommendations to help secure affordable energy supplies for the future, such as the Swaffham Prior's or Cambridge City's renewable heat network.

Outcomes from Cambridgeshire Local Area Energy Planning include:

  • Identification and costings of the best way to decarbonise local energy systems.
  • Identification of priority projects/ initiatives and investment opportunities.
  • Visualisation and mapping of changes required for the transition to a net zero energy system.
  • Setting out a long-term vision for how the plan can be implemented with clear roles and responsibilities across our stakeholder.

We have a range of technical and non-technical stakeholders for this project who we have started to work with.

Further engagement will take place from the autumn with local partners including energy generators, energy suppliers, large scale energy users and organisations that play a role in supporting the energy systems in Cambridgeshire. This work will involve the collection of data on future energy demand, plans for decarbonising transport fleet, increasing renewable energy, energy storage and making the energy system more flexible. 

Data, evidence and analysis will inform stakeholder discussions. Specialist expertise in subjects including policy, planning and finance is also being sought. As part of this work, potential future energy scenarios will be mapped and modelled. Partners and key stakeholders will discuss what is needed to deliver the changes and develop a long list of actions.

How can I get involved?

Our Cambridgeshire communities and businesses have a vital role in shaping the future energy system and realise the benefits for everyone. We need to understand your plans and aspirations, the level of investment and future demand required from the energy system to enable Cambridgeshire to continue to grow and thrive.

To ensure we hear your views, we will be undertaking significant engagement activities throughout the project. In particular we would like to hear from:

  • Businesses (SMEs and large)
  • Community energy groups
  • Town and Parish Councils
  • High/large energy consumers/users (e.g. NHS)
  • Landowners and developers
  • Agricultural sector (e.g. Farmers, NFU)
  • Financial institutions
  • Residents (including residents associations)
  • Trade associations

We will update this page with more information once we have planned events to share with you.

Image showing logos of our Local Area Energy Planning Council and Authority Partners