The latest 2025 Regen report, Maximising the Value of Local Net Zero Planning, highlights the critical role local authorities play in delivering net zero goals. The report emphasises the need for data-driven planning, stakeholder engagement, and capacity building to move from ambition to action.

The report also highlights the positive impact of Advanced Infrastructure’s LAEP+ platform in fostering agile energy planning and enabling more effective decision-making. 

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In this blog we look at the key takeaways of the report and how LAEP+ is supporting over 200 local authorities throughout the UK to build capacity within their organisations and accelerate Net Zero Planning with local data insights and digital tools.

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Key Takeaways From Regen's Report

The Regen report highlights several areas that local authorities must adopt to maximise the value of their net zero planning, three of which include:

1. Data and Modelling: The report identifies that data and modelling will always be important to build evidence and provide input to decision making.
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2. Fostering strong local partnerships and convening stakeholders: The report emphasises that fostering community engagement drives success for net zero infrastructure projects. Stakeholder input ensures equitable, feasible measures for embedding net zero in local authority activities.
   
   
3. Capacity Building: The report highlights that capacity building is a fundamental, underpinning enabler for any level of net zero implementation by a local authority.
   
   

To effectively support local authorities in their transition to net zero, LAEP+ (Local Area Energy Planner Plus) addresses key challenges highlighted in the Regen report. By integrating data insights, enhancing collaboration, and strengthening internal capacity, LAEP+ is designed to help authorities overcome obstacles in planning and executing their net zero and local area energy plans. Below is a look at how LAEP+ aligns with the report's recommendations and actively supports local authorities in achieving net zero goals.

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How LAEP+ Supports Local Authorities
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✅Data Insights & Modelling With LAEP+

Energy planning is an evolving process that requires continuous data refinement rather than relying on static, one-off reports. The report warns against viewing modelled data as a fixed evidence base, as local energy systems are subject to rapid technological, economic, and regulatory changes. Updates to datasets—including energy demand profiles, renewable generation potential, and grid constraints—are necessary to ensure that local authorities maintain an accurate, real-time understanding of their energy landscapes.

LAEP+ equips local authorities with accurate, up-to-date data and modelling tools. By leveraging digital twins and granular datasets, it provides insights into:

• Energy Demand Data- Including domestic and non domestic heat demand
• Network Capacity Data- Including demand and generation headroom data for renewable energy projects
• Building Retrofit Data- Including heat pump potential data and rooftop PV potential data
• EV charging Infrastructure Data- Including pavement suitability data for EV charge points and off street parking potential data

By utilising digital twins to simulate different energy scenarios, this allows for dynamic, evidence-based decision-making that are aligned with Local Authorities' net-zero goals.

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✅ Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement With LAEP+

Many local authorities face challenges in effectively collaborating with stakeholders due to fragmented communication channels between councils, DNOs, and stakeholders, as well as a lack of accessible shared data.
LAEP+ directly addresses these challenges by offering a centralised digital environment where stakeholders can access real-time data, collaborate on shared goals, and coordinate energy transition plans.

• Real-time data sharing for better decision-making across stakeholders.
• Centralised digital platform that aligns local authorities, DNOs, and stakeholders.
• Customised dashboards to visualise net zero progress and opportunities.

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✅ Building Capacity With LAEP+

‍‍Many local councils are struggling to prioritise net zero and local area energy planning due to limited resources and overwhelming workloads. Advanced Infrastructure’s Customer Success model complements the Software as a Service approach by providing ongoing support that bridges any remaining capacity gaps. 

LAEP+ simplifies the entire local area energy planning process, helping councils save time and resources with:

• User-friendly data tools and built-in modelling features
• Live training sessions with Advanced Infrastructure's customer success team 
• 24/7 online resources such as tutorials and how-to videos for easy reference

Want to explore how LAEP+ can support your net zero plans? Book a Free Demo.