Western Power Distribution (WPD) has announced plans to become a net zero emissions company by 2028 as part of the second draft of its RIIO2 business plan.
The date is 22 years ahead of the UK’s target and 15 years earlier than its original proposal of 2043 from the first draft. The electricity distribution network said it expects to connect 1.5 million electric vehicles and 600,000 heat pumps during the five-year price controls beginning in April 2023.
The company has also raised its proposed totex expenditure between drafts from £5,993 million to £6,064 million. The new figure equates an average of £1,212 million per year, representing a nearly 16 per cent increase over the annual average for the current eight-year regulatory period. Nevertheless, WPD still expects its contribution to the typical household bill to remain “at or around” the current level of £96 per year.
Mark Shaw, RIIO ED2 business plan manager for WPD, said: “Our business plan is pioneering and industry-leading. It’s been designed in collaboration with over 9,500 regional stakeholders, over a two-year period. Its supporting consultation is the largest we have ever conducted and we are still busy listening to customers’ concerns and goals.
“Having listened to our stakeholders from the first draft of our business plan, they have asked us to scale up our ambitions for 2023-2028. As a result, 60 per cent of our core commitments have increased in ambition, and we’re expecting even more valuable contributions from this next consultation phase.”
“The environment is at the heart of our plan. We’re already tackling our own carbon footprint through initiatives like replacing our entire transport fleet with electric vehicles and taking the lead on net zero carbon emissions, while creating a sustainable network for everyone.
“We’re leading on community-led renewable energy, energy flexibility and community energy projects, and on top of this, we’ve committed £80 million to the UK’s green recovery, as part of our pledge to unlock green jobs and green growth across our region.”
The accelerated target to reach net zero emissions follows criticism from WPD’s consumer engagement group whose chair, Duncan McCombie, urged the distribution network operator to be “more radical or ambitious”.