Electricity North West has set out new plans for how it intends to support more than 3 million electric vehicles (EV) in the region over the next 30 years to enable green travel.
The company is now seeking views on its EV Strategy and other key strategies that will form part of the network operator’s five-year business plan for 2023 – 2028 and follows its largest ever public engagement programme.
With the sale of new petrol and diesel cars being banned from 2030, the uptake of EVs during this decade is expected to accelerate rapidly, leading to there being more than three million electric vehicles on the North West’s roads by 2050.
As the region’s network operator, Electricity North West is responsible for preparing the electricity network for this rapid growth, and the associated charging infrastructure it will require.
Following two years’ engagement with customers and key stakeholders, the company has now published eight individual strategies covering the steps it will take before 2028 to deal with the growth of EVs, the environmental impact of the network, innovation, new connections and supporting customers in vulnerable circumstances. The strategies set out key plans while the network operator also continues to provide a reliable and efficient network at a reasonable cost for bill payers.
Paul Bircham, communications director at Electricity North West, said: “Whether they live in the north west or just work here, our customers are at the heart of the work we have been doing over the past two years.
“As we support the region in its transition towards becoming a net zero carbon economy, the way we all use electricity is going to change massively.
“The purpose of these strategies is to ensure that no-one gets left behind in that energy transition, ensuring that the work we do to support EVs and other services are fully inclusive and accessible to everyone.
“We could not have done that without the insight we have received as part of our engagement programme so far, but we can’t stop yet. It’s essential that, as we refine our plans, our customers and key stakeholders can still have their say on our plans before we submit them.”
Customers and key stakeholders can read all eight strategies, and have their say on each one, until 5th March at www.enwl.co.uk/engagementhub
To meet the rapidly changing needs of customers Electricity North West is already planning to invest £63.5 million between 2019 and 2023 as part of its Leading the North West to zero carbon plan to help the North West decarbonise and pave the way for the growth of renewable energy.
