This stage focuses on selecting specific actions and formulating a robust regional energy plan, based on the potential impact, cost-effectiveness, net benefits, distributional impacts and alignment with stakeholder priorities of the optimal energy solutions.
In this step, planners should prioritize and select the energy solutions/interventions, considering their potential impact, cost-effectiveness, and alignment with the priorities of the various stakeholders. The prioritization process should be aligned with the energy efficiency first principle. Subsequently, a sound plan should be developed with specific actions/interventions and outlining for each, scope, responsibilities, timelines, estimated implementation costs, expected impact and likely funding sources/mechanisms. Demonstration projects should also be identified, i.e. projects that address specific challenges or opportunities in the region that can showcase the feasibility and benefits of innovative energy technologies or approaches and provide valuable learning experiences to the local community. These can help build public support, attract investments and stimulate local markets for new energy solutions.
Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) Tool
This Excel tool serves as a valuable aid for energy planners by facilitating the prioritization of various energy options and ultimately supporting the decision-making process. The tool enables planners and stakeholders to derive aggregated scores and rankings, thus identifying the most feasible energy options for the region. In particular, it allows the selection of criteria and the assignment of weights to these criteria, encompassing factors such as environmental sustainability, social equity and economic feasibility. Stakeholders and/or planners can then assign scores to the selected criteria for each solution, aiding in a qualitative assessment, whilst the tool also assists decision-makers in quantifying qualitative impacts when evaluating solutions. Subsequently, it calculates scores to provide a quantitative assessment of impacts, enabling more informed decision-making.
Planners should establish robust monitoring and evaluation systems to track progress in implementing the regional energy plan and assess its’ performance against established objectives and targets. These systems should involve regular data collection, analysis, and reporting on key performance indicators, such as energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, renewable energy generation, and energy efficiency improvements. The monitoring and evaluation process should also involve periodic reviews and assessments of specific projects and actions to identify challenges, successes, and lessons learned.
Monitoring Template
This template can assist planners in monitoring the implementation of the actions/interventions incorporated in the regional energy plan. It can enable planners report on progress and on the impact of actions/interventions and evaluate their effectiveness.
The regional energy plan should be put out to public consultation to gather feedback from stakeholders and citizens, in order to ensure the public’s acceptance and buy-in. After thoroughly considering the results of the public consultation, the plan should be finalised and published.