Bringing the voice of customers and stakeholders into the heart of our business
In 2022, SP Energy Networks established the Independent Net Zero Advisory Council (INZAC), bringing together 15 external experts to provide challenge and specialist knowledge to both the distribution and the transmission sides of the business across Central and Southern Scotland, North Wales, Merseyside, Cheshire and North Shropshire.
With a wealth of experience and expertise from across the energy industry and beyond, the INZAC has a critical role in overseeing and challenging SPEN’s efforts to enable the path to Net Zero, delivering for the customers and communities it serves.
The INZAC will:
- provide input and insight to support SPEN’s Net Zero goals
- assess performance and ensure delivery of price control commitments
- ensure consideration of emerging consumer issues and capture the voices of customers and stakeholders
- offer challenge and constructive contribution to the development of RIIO-3 price control business plans
The INZAC have a vital part to play in the development of SPEN’s RIIO-T3 price control business plans for the high voltage transmission network between 2026-2031, scrutinising both the technical plans as well as ensuring any emerging consumer issues are fully considered.
The INZAC is chaired by renowned industry expert, Angela Love, who has over 30 years’ experience of the UK/EU gas and electricity markets.
See what SP Energy Networks’ CEO, Nicola Connelly and Chair of the INZAC, Angela Love have to say:
Nicola Connelly
"SP Energy Networks sits at the centre of enabling Net Zero and the transition to a more sustainable future for us and future generations, therefore, we must ensure our customers and stakeholders remain at the heart of everything we do and every decision we make.
It’s our top priority to provide safe and resilient networks for our consumers and communities, and together with the scale of investment and change facing our industry to achieve ambitious Government Net Zero targets, I welcome the expertise, support and challenge from our INZAC.
Throughout 2023/24 the group have played a significant role in the development of our T3 Business Plan, fulfilling the role of our Independent Stakeholder Group (ISG). They have challenged us across every area of the plan, providing external perspectives and insights in the interest of our customers and stakeholders, always pushing us further to engage widely and develop the best possible outcomes.
I look forward to the continued engagement with our INZAC in the delivery of our plan but also as we look towards the development of our ED3 Business Plan development."
Angela Love
"It’s been fantastic to assemble such an exceptional and diverse range of voices to provide insight and constructive challenge to SP Energy Networks as it develops and delivers on its business plans for both the transmission and distribution electricity networks of the future.
We’re at a really exciting and crucial time for the energy networks industry and it’s vital that companies get it right as they develop innovative solutions and technologies to support more green electricity coming on the grid and help deliver on Net Zero ambitions.
Through previous independent scrutiny groups, I have seen the direct influence independent members can have when working with businesses to challenge, provide insight and identify different solutions and options – ultimately bringing the voices of the customers, stakeholders and the communities that these businesses serve, deeper into their decision making.
The INZAC has worked with and challenged SPEN during the RIIO T3 plan development. We have done this through a structured approach running dedicated sessions with SPEN's teams covering crucial topics in the plan.
I too, look forward to the continued engagement with SPEN, supporting the challenges of the business and ensuring the interests of the their customers and stakeholders are being met.”