Every day, I see the impact of your insight — and today, I’m proud to share the difference it’s making.
Our 2024–25 DSO stakeholder survey has now closed and you’ve given us really positive feedback across all the areas that matter to you. It’s a powerful message that the work we’re doing together — to shape a more flexible, responsive, and data-driven energy system — is delivering value where it counts.
We’re grateful. But we’re not standing still.
Your feedback is a live input into our strategy. It tells us what’s working, where the pressure points are, and how we can better support you — whether you’re a flexibility provider, local authority, community group, data user, or driving net zero across industry.
Here’s how we’re turning that feedback into focused action, real results, and tangible impact.
1. Making Data Easier to Access, Use and Trust
You told us data quality and accessibility matter — and we’ve listened.
Over the past year, we’ve invested in the tools and techniques that power our Open Data Portal, and you’ve told us you’re seeing a real difference. From broader datasets to clearer modelling, we’re making it easier for you to get to the information you need, when you need it.
“SPEN have made a concerted effort to improve the availability of their data, their use of interactive maps and portals has made accessing and utilising the data seamless and I have noticed a clear effort to make technical detail easy to digest and understand for people at all levels of expertise and competency.”
(Local Authority, 2025)
Next on the roadmap? More time series data — a direct ask from you. It’s now a priority for our 2025–26 programme, and we’re committed to delivering improvements that help you do more with data.
2. Opening up Flexibility to More Participants
Flexibility is vital for a smart, low-carbon energy system — but only if everyone can take part.
Last year, you told us some of the entry requirements were holding people back. So, we acted. We’ve removed the minimum requirements for month-ahead tenders and standardised market processes, making it easier for more providers to join the system.
“The leadership of SPEN in developing the flexibility market is evident – the move to month-ahead tendering and clear market signalling through the Flexibility Market Prospectus are especially valuable.”
(Academia, 2025)
And it’s working. New players are entering the market, and this year, we’re going a step further by trialling day-ahead flexibility — giving even more providers the chance to participate in near real-time.
We know flexibility isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. That’s why we’ll keep working with you to understand your barriers and break them down, together.
3. Creating Capacity for Connections and Growth
Connection delays are a challenge. But we’re determined to meet them with smart, coordinated action.
By combining flexibility, load management, and active network management, we’re unlocking earlier connections — just like we did at Rigmuir Wind Farm, where we brought the connection forward by six years.
We’re also rolling out Constraint Management Zones (CMZs) across our network — giving us more dynamic ways to manage demand and unlock capacity faster.
“The use of a LMS was fundamental to the early connection of Rigmuir Wind Farm, a 13.5MW wind farm in South Lanarkshire. The solution was put forward, and ultimately implemented, by SPEN as a means of avoiding transmission related delays and costs associated with significant reinforcement works. SPEN were able to support in estimating levels of curtailment, allowing CE as developer to make an informed investment decision – balancing reduced yield against increased capital expenditure and a delay to connection of up to six years.”
(Renewable energy organisation, 2025)
Partnerships are key to our success. Through the NEWID project in North East Wales, we’re working hand-in-hand with local industry, Net Zero Industry Wales, and Bangor University to design whole-system solutions tailored to regional needs. This is what collaborative decarbonisation looks like in action.
“SPEN’s vision, enthusiasm and commitment has been a central and essential element to the successful delivery of the first phase of the NEWID project. Their strong support for the implementation of a stakeholder engagement based, holistic whole energy system approach was decisive to the award of the UK Government LIDP competition funding.”
(Industry expert, 2025)
What’s Next? Accountability, Transparency, and You
We’re not waiting for next year’s survey to drive change. Your feedback is a standing part of how we operate.
Behind the scenes, we’ve built a new performance framework to track what’s landing well — and what still needs work. You’ll see that reflected in our quarterly reporting and our DSO check-in report, shaped around four clear stakeholder priorities.
We’re also actively involved in the new Regional Energy Strategic Plan (RESP) process and working closely with NESO to make sure your local energy plans shape national decisions. This is a critical moment for regional voice and influence, and we’re showing up ready.
Stay Involved
This month we’re hosting our data webinar — a chance to hear from you and share what we’re doing. And in September, we’ll bring our community together for our Flex Summit.
You can also expect to hear more from us on secondary trading and lower voltage flexibility. These are exciting frontiers, and your ideas are at the heart of what comes next.
Your Voice Is Our Compass
Your feedback and scores are a vote of confidence — but more than that, it’s a call to keep going. Your insight drives every improvement we make. Whether it’s technical, strategic, or systemic, your voice is shaping our direction and giving our ambition purpose.
So, thank you for being part of our journey. If you’d like to talk, share an idea, or ask a question, we’re just an email away at dso@spenergynetworks.co.uk.
Let’s keep the momentum going — together.