Regional Energy Strategic Plan: licence modifications and guidance document

Details of outcome

Between 16 October and 28 November 2025 we consulted on modifications to the:

• Electricity System Operator (ESO) Licence

• Gas System Planner (GSP) Licence

• Standard Conditions of the Electricity Distribution Licence

• and Part D of the Standard Special Conditions of the Gas Transporters Licence, to implement the RESP.

We also consulted on the RESP guidance, an associated document which accompanies the licence modifications.

Through our policy framework decision and this licence modification, we have established a new obligation for the Independent System Operator and Planner (“ISOP”, also known as the National Energy System Operator or “NESO”) to develop and deliver the RESP. This includes, but is not limited to, setting deadlines for submissions and publication of the RESP methodology and RESPs themselves. This new obligation is achieved through modifications to NESO’s Electricity System Operator (ESO) and Gas System Planner (GSP) licences. 

We have introduced a requirement for the Distribution Services Providers (DNOs) and holders of a Gas Transporter Licence with Distribution Networks (GDNs) as listed in Appendix 1 to Standard Special Condition D23 of the Gas Transporter Licence to participate and support NESO in the development of the RESP. This new requirement is achieved through modifications to the Standard Licence Conditions of the Electricity Distribution Licence and Part D of the Standard Special Conditions of the Gas Transporter Licence.

Alongside these licence modifications, we have introduced associated RESP Guidance to provide further detail of obligations on and expectations of NESO, DNOs and GDNs in the development of the RESP. The RESP Guidance contains two parts: Part A – NESO Guidance and Part B – DNO & GDN Guidance. The RESP Guidance includes (but is not limited to) details on the requirements for delivering the RESP outputs, RESP governance arrangements, and details of requesting and sharing information.

Read the full outcome

Original consultation

Consultation description

We propose modifications to the:

• electricity system operator licence
• gas system planner licence
• standard conditions of the electricity distribution licence
• part D of the standard special conditions of the gas transporters licence

We are also consulting on the draft RESP guidance, an associated document that accompanies the proposed licence modifications. The RESP guidance outlines our expectations for the National Energy System Operator (NESO)'s delivery of the RESP, and distribution network companies' participation in the RESP development.

NESO plans to launch their RESP Methodology consultation in November 2025. Our intention with this consultation is to give stakeholders the opportunity to review our proposals for the RESP licence conditions and RESP guidance alongside NESO’s RESP Methodology consultation.

Your feedback will inform our development of the RESP licence conditions and RESP guidance. We intend to make our decision on the proposals in early 2026. Dependent on the outcome of this consultation, the proposed licence modifications should come into effect in the first quarter of 2026.

Who should respond

We welcome responses from all interested parties. Particularly those most impacted by this policy area, such as NESO, distribution network operators (DNOs) and gas distribution network operators (GDNs).