Dear Stakeholders,

Welcome to our April newsletter.

As we move through 2025, we're proud to share some of the key milestones, initiatives, and collaborations shaping our journey toward a smarter, greener energy future. From earning top marks with Ofgem to hosting our very first DSO conference of this year, it's been a busy and exciting time.

In this edition, you will find updates on how we're reducing emissions and cutting costs, building stronger regional partnerships in the North West and inviting you to help shape the future of EV infrastructure.

Thank you for your continued support and interest in the work we do. Together, we're driving meaningful progress for our customers, our communities, and the wider energy system.

Energy management to save cost and cut carbon webinar: 28/05/2025 Register here.

Resilient North West Customer Summit: 02/06/2025 Register now.

Best wishes, the Stakeholder Engagement Team

Ofgem has published its annual report for the first year of ED2 (2023/24), comparing UK Distribution Network Operator (DNO) performances across eight key assessment criteria, including safety, reliability of supply and customer satisfaction, to assess overall performance.

We're very pleased to confirm that the report showcases Electricity North West as the top-ranking DNO, with high marks in all eight categories. 

This is the first time in eight years that any UK DNO has achieved this standard. 

Our strong performance at the end of ED1 has continued into ED2, driving further improvement in the service experienced by our customers.

View full Ofgem report HERE.

Electricity North West's CEO, Ian Smyth, highlighted the role of network operators in helping customers lower their energy bills during a meeting with Miatta Fahnbulleh the Minister for Energy Consumers in Manchester.

Ian Smyth emphasised the company’s focus on innovation and support for the region, showcasing technologies proven to reduce bills without requiring behavioral changes from customers. He was joined by Scottish Power CEO Keith Anderson to discuss how networks can meet future challenges and save money.

Minister Miatta Fahnbulleh praised Electricity North West's efforts, noting the importance of network operators in supporting clean power and low-carbon technologies like electric vehicles and heat pumps.

As demand for low-carbon tech grows, Electricity North West is ensuring a reliable, affordable network for all.

Read more HERE.

Electricity North West is committed to supporting Local Authorities in the development and deployment of their Electric Vehicle charging strategies. To meet the unique needs of Local Authorities we have developed 'GridChargePlanner', a bespoke digital tool to assist Local Authorities with their Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) planning, application and charge point rollout.

Grid Charge Planner's heatmap provides a quick indication of capacity availability in an area, allowing users to quickly and easily identify optimal locations for charge points against local network capacity. A traffic light colouring system (red, amber and green) is used to indicate the capacity availability on Low Voltage (LV) conductors and the swipe function allows users to compare EV load scenarios of 14kW, 28 kW and 50kW.

We’re looking for trial participants to help us test out the tool during the beta phase; by taking part you’ll help shape the tool and ensure it delivers real value.

Register your interest HERE.

On April 3 at The Lowry Hotel, Manchester we held the first DSO conference of 2025 brought together industry leaders, local authorities and key stakeholders to explore how we can collaboratively drive the energy transition. Focusing on flexibility, data transparency, network planning and stakeholder involvement. This event offered an opportunity to reflect on past achievements, share insights and co-develop solutions that will shape the future energy system

A special thanks to our speakers and panel members, who were hugely impactful, focusing on turning strategy into action :

Fintan Slye CEO of National Energy System Operator for sharing timely insights on regional energy strategic plans following Ofgem’s decision published this Wednesday.

Margaret Read for delivering an informative presentation on evolving the distribution networks to meet demand from the newly formed National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA).

Caroline Simpson CEO of Greater Manchester Combined Authority Group for her valuable perspective on economic growth in Greater Manchester and the role of energy in regional development.

Marzia Zafar, Deputy Director, Energy Systems Management & Security, Ofgem for her thoughtful contributions on regulatory ambition and how Ofgem is enabling a smarter, more secure, and flexible energy system.

Harrison Leaf, Head of Data & Implementation, Electron for bringing fresh thinking on the future of data in supporting local markets and accelerating system interoperability.

Andrew McIntosh, Director of Place, Greater Manchester Combined Authority for highlighting how energy and place-based planning go hand in hand, and the importance of working together to deliver net zero outcomes for communities.

Electricity North West is committed to fostering and enhancing strategic relationships with Local Authorities across the North West. Our goal is to support all areas in our region in achieving their local priorities, including strategic growth, net zero, and energy transition ambitions.

Following valuable feedback from our stakeholders, we have pledged to enhance our offering  with all local authorities in our area to understand their priorities and identify opportunities for collaboration. 

Recognising the diverse nature of local authorities, we do not offer a one-size-fits-all package of support. Instead, we aim to understand specific local needs, develop bespoke plans to address them, and ensure those needs are met effectively.

Our dedicated Stakeholder Engagement Manager Lynn Tracey works to ensure that the needs of regional local authorities are understood and to provide strategic support for collaboration between them and Electricity North West. While you may already be in regular contact with colleagues at Electricity North West for specific discussions, we would like to introduce you to the broader support available from our organization, including:

If you would like to book a time for you or one of your colleagues to have a conversation, so that we can start to explore the opportunities to collaborate and work more closely together you can do so via 'Book a meeting with me' HERE.

The UK Business Climate Hub and Electricity North West are hosting a webinar for small businesses that will focus on business energy management to save costs and cut carbon emissions.

Participants will learn about how the UK energy system will decarbonise, how electricity grid infrastructure is changing, and how small businesses can benefit.

This webinar is the third part in a series that the UK Business Climate Hub is hosting to help small businesses on their net zero journey. It will also explore how these developments connect with local energy systems used by SMEs.

Admission is free and open to SMEs across the UK.

28 May 2025 11:00 - 12:00

Register your interest at StakeholderEngagement@enwl.co.uk.

You can keep-up-to-date with the latest news and opinions from across the organisation and energy industry here.

If you are interested in finding out more about any of our stakeholder advisory panels, or if there is any topic you’d like to see in the next edition of this newsletter, please get in touch with us at stakeholderengagement@enwl.co.uk.

Read our Stakeholder Engagement Report 2023/24, reflecting our activities in the first year of the RIIO-ED2 price control period (2023-28).

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