NESO recognises logistics sector’s energy needs

February 11, 2026

2 min read

The National Energy System Operator (NESO) published the transitional Regional Energy Strategic NoPlan (tRESP) on 30 January to inform investment in electricity distribution networks for the 2028–33 price control period.
NESO describes the tRESP as a first step towards improving and coordinating energy infrastructure planning at a local level, ahead of the development of a full Regional Energy Strategic Plan from late 2026.

Forecast energy needs for transport form an important part of the tRESP’s regional energy mapping. Following engagement with Logistics UK, the tRESP identifies that logistics-related energy demand is typically concentrated around ports, freeports, major freight corridors, business parks, industrial estates and logistics hubs.

In Central England, the East Midlands and West Midlands, demand is shown by NESO to be concentrated along motorway corridors and in large warehousing and freight clusters. In coastal and port-based regions including the East of England, South East, North East and Yorkshire, higher energy demand is mapped around ports, freeports and maritime-linked logistics activity, with several corridors also highlighted as key freight routes.

In areas where logistics vehicles support rurally located industries, the tRESP identifies more dispersed demand and a need for remote charging infrastructure.

Logistics UK’s Senior Policy Manager Stephanie Haszczyn said: “It’s encouraging to see NESO begin to explicitly recognise the energy needs of the logistics sector within its transitional Regional Energy Strategic Plan (tRESP). This is a welcome acknowledgement of both the scale of freight decarbonisation and the growing understanding of where electricity capacity will be needed as commercial fleets electrify around ports, major corridors, industrial estates and logistics hubs.

“But more work is needed to fully anticipate future demand. Continued, deeper engagement with industry will be essential to accurately forecast energy requirements and ensure networks are designed around how logistics actually operates.

“The challenge now is pace: network upgrades and charging infrastructure must be delivered quickly and in the right places, or the transition to zero-emission logistics risks stalling. Getting this right is essential for economic growth and keeping supply chains moving.”