Scheme

Meeting Place is working with Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) and its delivery partner, OCU Group, to shape and deliver a comprehensive communications, engagement and social impact strategy in support of a £200m investment in the regional electricity distribution network across Oxfordshire.

Strategy

This decade-long programme involves a wide range of works - large and small - across every district in the county. The objective is to upgrade the distribution network to enhance capacity and resilience while supporting the transition to net zero. We have worked with the team to develop clear, consistent messaging to support the complexity and scale of this investment, with every part of our service offering being utilised as the programme evolves.

Recognising the need not just to inform but to educate, we helped develop a compelling narrative that explains not only what’s happening, but why. Social impact has been embedded as a golden thread of our engagement, helping communities understand key issues such as fuel poverty, the need to expand grid capacity and the broader risks of inaction.

Education, skills, and employment have been a core focus. We’ve worked closely with schools, education providers, and the project team to raise awareness among young people about how the network functions and the career opportunities tied to this programme and similar infrastructure projects nationwide. We supported the SmartSTEM careers fair at the University of Oxford. Coinciding with the public launch of the programme, we worked with SSEN and OCU to present the project, while also hosting our own stand to inspire young people to consider careers in green energy, net zero, and STEM-focused communications.

Following the launch, Meeting Place organised and chaired a series of political briefings with senior representatives from each local authority. These included the Leaders of Oxford City Council, South Oxfordshire, Vale of White Horse, and Cherwell District Councils, as well as the Deputy Leader with Responsibility for Climate Change at Oxfordshire County Council. These sessions were key to building political understanding and support ahead of specific project rollouts.

In parallel, we supported communications around a major planning application for a new substation in Cowley, which forms an essential part of the wider programme. We coordinated several meetings with relevant ward members and parish councils to brief them on the proposals and secure early local support.

Outcome

Meeting Place has continues to support on public and stakeholder engagement as the first works have begun on the ground. Following further briefings with relevant key stakeholders, this has included engagement with the public through newsletters, press activity, website content creation and door knocking in the surrounding area.