UK Power Networks, Cadent and SGN have launched a ‘Common Ask Template’ to meet electricity and gas networks information needs on planned Net Zero projects. Councils can now submit required data in a single format, reducing admin for infrastructure upgrades like EV chargers and low carbon heating. The initiative aims to speed up investment decisions and to save time, cut duplication and improve collaboration between councils and energy networks.
The three networks serve more than 25 million people across the country. By agreeing one shared format, they aim to reduce paperwork and avoid repeated requests to council staff.
Hounslow Council is already using the template, with a further five local authorities adopting it through the Greater London Authority (GLA)’s Outer East London LAEP (Local Area Energy Planning), which covers both SGN and Cadent customers.
UK Power Networks’ said its DSO has created the blueprint, but it is designed to work for every council inside and outside its licence area.
Cllr Katherine Dunne, portfolio holder for Climate, Environment and Transport at London Borough of Hounslow said: “This new initiative from UK Power Networks has saved us a lot of time by making it easier to share our Local Area Energy Plan outputs with electricity and gas networks.
“Without it, we’d be sending our forecasts to multiple electricity and gas utility companies in different formats at different times – which can be a real drain on resources. It’s made our job easier and it’s clear that UKPN really care about improving customer experience, even if their network only covers a very small part of our Borough.”