SEA Guidance Annex 27

Selecting energy sector plans for an SEA

This annex outlines how to determine which energy sector plans can benefit most from strategic environmental assessment (SEA). It highlights two main approaches—focusing on the most influential plan, or on the next available plan up for revision—and provides a detailed set of questions to assess plan relevance.

overview

What’s Inside This Annex

Choosing the Right Plan for SEA

A guide to selecting which energy sector plans will benefit most from an SEA process.

There are two approaches:

The most influential plan: a national energy plan makes fundamental choices for the future of the entire energy sector, which translates into detailed follow-up planning. It seems to be the obvious and most relevant plan to be assessed. However, it is an ambitious endeavor, and the plan may simply not be open for update for a prolonged period.
An alternative approach is to simply focus on the first available energy-related plan scheduled for revision that would benefit from an SEA.

Assessment Questions

What elements of a country’s energy system have the most relations with other sectors, have the most contested spatial claims, or lead to public debate?
Understand and describe the country-specific system of energy planning and multi-sector planning linked to energy sector interests as described in Chapter 4, Section 4.4. (Use Annexes 21 and 22.)
Which policy choices are definite, and what choices need to be elaborated?
Describe the key decisions in terms of What, Where, How, and When.
Make a time schedule indicating when a relevant planning exercise and moment of decision-making are foreseen.

Elements of a Country’s Energy System

Key system components that shape where SEA can provide critical insights during the energy transition.

Energy systems rely on primary energy sources, including fossil fuels, renewable energy sources, and nuclear energy. Availability and diversity influence the resilience and sustainability of the system.
Energy production infrastructure encompasses facilities and technologies for extracting, refining, processing, and generating energy from primary sources (power plants, refineries, drilling rigs, mines, and renewable energy installations).
Transmission and distribution networks transport energy from production facilities to end-users (power lines, pipelines, substations, transformers, and distribution grids).
Energy storage systems play a crucial role in balancing supply and demand, stabilizing the grid, and integrating variable renewable energy sources.
Energy consumption sectors are the end-users of energy (residential, commercial, industrial, transportation, and agricultural), each with unique demands.
Energy policies and regulations govern the development, operation, and management of the energy system.
Energy markets facilitate the buying and selling of energy resources, products, and services, operating under various economic models.
Advances in energy technologies and innovation drive the transformation of energy systems, improving efficiency, reducing costs, and expanding the use of renewable energy sources.
Environmental and social considerations are integral to the sustainability and resilience of energy systems. This includes minimizing environmental impacts, addressing climate change, protecting biodiversity, ensuring energy access for all, and promoting social equity and justice.
International energy relations involve negotiations, agreements, and partnerships related to energy security, supply chains, geopolitics, and sustainable development goals.

Key Issues Shaping Future Energy Systems

Core drivers and challenges influencing energy system evolution and SEA relevance.

Energy demand projections: Forecast demand using economic, technological, policy, demographic, and behavioral drivers.
Energy transition challenges: Manage renewable intermittency, peaking/balancing needs, grid integration, investment gaps, and social impacts on fossil-fuel communities.
Transition fuels: Natural gas and similar fuels can cut emissions short-term and support grid stability but are not long-term solutions.
Energy security: Diversify energy sources, harden grids, expand storage, and strengthen international cooperation.
Decentralization & digitalization: Distributed energy and digital tools enable more flexible, efficient systems.
Electrification: Scale EV infrastructure, heat pumps, electric heating, and industrial electrification.
Hard-to-abate sectors: Heavy industry and transport rely on green hydrogen to replace fossil fuels and move energy across borders.
Energy access & equity: Expand off-grid and mini-grid solutions and prioritize marginalized communities.
Circular economy: Improve efficiency, recycling, and lifecycle design to reduce resource use and waste.
Climate adaptation: Integrate climate risks into energy planning and infrastructure.
Just transition: Support workers and communities through retraining and safety nets; ensure fairness in both fossil phase-out and critical mineral extraction.
Global energy governance: Enhance cooperation, technology transfer, and capacity building across countries.

SEA Guidance Annex 27