Net Zero South Wales 2050

The Net Zero South Wales 2050 innovation project was undertaken as a partnership between Regen, National Grid Electricity Distribution (NGED) and Wales and West Utilities (WWU) with funding from the Network Innovation Allowance (NIA) programme.

The main objective of the project was to create integrated distribution future energy scenarios (DFES) for the gas and electricity networks in South Wales and, as part of this, to develop a new methodology for conducting cross-vector scenario forecasting at a regional level. The project also looked to provide insights into how South Wales might transition to a net zero future under three net zero scenario pathways; High Electrification, Core Hydrogen and High Hydrogen.

The main output of the project is a DFES projection dataset provided to NGED and WWU to inform network planning and investment. The dataset covers key technologies, both demand and supply, that might be expected to connect to the gas and electricity distribution networks under the three scenario pathways and covers each year from 2020 to 2035, and then five yearly intervals between 2035 and 2050. Projections are provided at geographic levels relevant to each respective network, Electricity Supply Areas (ESAs) and Gas Supply Areas (GSAs).