Today, Energy Systems Catapult and Phoenix Group launch a new report, ‘Unlocking Regional Investment Through Local Area Energy Planning’, demonstrating that the UK’s transition to Net Zero requires a refreshed approach to financing local energy projects. It is estimated that the UK will need investment of £26 billion per year into low carbon technologies and infrastructure through to 2050 to get to Net Zero1. However, many local authorities are finding it challenging to secure funding, which has delayed some decarbonisation projects. The report finds that place-based financing, the key to delivering Net Zero at local level, is being limited by fragmented planning, higher borrowing costs in certain regions, and the need to strengthen investor confidence.