27 June 2025
NIE Networks recently commissioned Regen as an independent, trusted industry expert to provide an updated report for load investment and modelling. Modelling forecasts will be repeated every two years to advise investment programme outputs, taking account of actuals and changes in the intervening period.
In light of the anticipatory nature of network investment and development, the Distribution Planning Scenario Report provides welcome refinement of the generation and decarbonisation scenarios as we work towards a net zero future. The updated scenario presented by Regen indicates that while the pace of low carbon technology adoption, notably electric vehicles and heat pumps, is slower than previously modelled, it confirms that network investment is important particularly within the context of the mandate on vehicle manufacturers.
The Distribution Planning Scenario Report will now be used to plan and refine network development ensuring efficiency in approach and optimising innovative and technological solutions which offer a mitigation against costly network investment. By undertaking regular, independent modelling NIE Networks can ensure that the network is ready ahead of the market and make best use of the available time to explore other innovative approaches.