Approval of NESO's CSNP Methodology
- Publication type:
- Decision
- Publication date:
- Topic:
- Electricity transmission
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We have reviewed the National Energy System Operator’s (NESO's) submission of the Centralised Strategic Network Plan Methodology and have decided to conditionally approve it.
The Centralised Strategic Network Plan (CSNP) will provide an independent, coordinated, and long-term plan for the electricity and gas transmission and hydrogen transport and storage (T&S) networks in Great Britain (GB). Using NESO’s Strategic Spatial Energy Plan (SSEP) as an input, the CSNP will be an independently produced, long-term energy network plan to support GB in delivering a clean, affordable and secure energy system.
The CSNP Methodology sets out the approach that NESO will follow when producing the CSNP. It describes a structured process encompassing the use of the SSEP and other inputs on the future energy system to identify system needs, develop options, appraise them, and recommend delivery. It also outlines governance arrangements and details on stakeholder engagement. NESO submitted this Methodology to Ofgem for review in January 2026.
We have assessed the Methodology against the requirements set out in our CSNP Guidance, as well as ESO Licence Condition C17 and GSP Licence Condition C12. Overall, we consider that the Methodology provides a credible and proportionate framework for producing the first CSNP.
In this publication, we set out our decision to approve NESO’s CSNP Methodology, subject to two conditions that require further details to be developed on limited areas.