Citizens Advice

Regional Energy Team

Cara Holmes

Principal Policy Manager, Regional Energy Planning

About Citizens Advice

Citizens Advice was founded in 1939. Since then, we’ve given advice, information and support to anyone who needs it.

We help people online, over the phone and face to face through our network of local centres and our consumer helpline whose number is on the back of every energy bill. Every year, millions of people turn to us. This gives us a unique insight into their needs and concerns.

We use this knowledge to campaign on big issues, both locally and nationally. So one way or another, we’re helping everyone – not just those we support directly.

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Our Statutory Role in Energy

In 2014 Citizens Advice became the statutory representative for energy consumers in England and Wales. In Scotland, this duty is held by Consumer Scotland.

We take a forward-looking as well as reactive role in the energy sector, using evidence from Local Citizens Advice offices, the Consumer Service whose phone number is on the back of every energy bill and independently commissioned research.

We advocate for all consumers in the energy market including small businesses.

The Regional Energy Planning Team

From 2026 Citizens Advice expanded our energy team to respond to devolution and increased region-specific energy policy issues.

This includes system level planning, led by the National Energy System Operator (NESO). As well as delivery and implementation of energy related policies by regional actors such as local authorities.

We have specific leads for each region who will advocate for consumers at a local level, participate in regional planning processes, and engage with regional stakeholders.

We will be applying our national-level insight and expertise alongside specific regional evidence to advocate for consumers.

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Team Strategy

The Regional Energy Planning Team exists to ensure that the needs of people and places are considered in the energy planning system and the delivery of regional energy policy. We do this in three distinct ways:

1. Representing the needs of people and place in the regional energy system planning processes.
2. Scrutinising the delivery of local energy policy and delegated national policy.
3. Bridging the gap between national policy and local delivery.

Team Structure

For any questions contact the team

regionalenergyplanning@citizensadvice.org.uk