NESO has published an update to the recommendations first set out in its 2024 Beyond 2030 report, reinforcing the need for investment in the electricity transmission network.<\/p>\n
The\u00a0update said investment would \u201censure electricity can be transported reliably and efficiently around the country as demand grows\u201d<\/p>\n
This will help support economic growth, improve system\u00a0efficiency\u00a0and\u00a0maintain\u00a0a secure and affordable electricity supply in the decades ahead, it added.<\/p>\n
The update reflects changes to the electricity connections process,\u00a0UK\u00a0Government\u00a0Clean\u00a0Power ambitions and developments in offshore network planning, while reaffirming the need for investment in Britain\u2019s electricity transmission network.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
By the mid-2030s, demand for electricity is expected to\u00a0grow by\u00a0more\u00a0than\u00a030%\u00a0compared to\u00a0today, driven\u00a0by\u00a0electrification and emerging industries.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Ensuring electricity can move efficiently around Great Britain will support new housing, electric vehicle charging, industry and emerging sectors such as AI\u00a0enabled data centres, while\u00a0maintaining\u00a0a reliable electricity supply for homes and businesses, it said.<\/p>\n
By providing greater clarity on where and when network infrastructure is likely to be needed, the update gives Transmission Owners and wider industry a clearer picture of future network requirements and supports future investment planning, NESO added.<\/p>\n
The\u00a0Update includes 43 recommended network projects for delivery in the 2030s. These recommendations will inform future regulatory\u00a0funding\u00a0decisions\u00a0by Ofgem, which\u00a0is responsible for\u00a0funding approvals for these projects.\u00a0Transmission Owners and developers will then\u00a0be responsible for\u00a0detailed design and delivery.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Recommended reinforcements have been assessed against deliverability, operability, cost, environmental\u00a0considerations\u00a0and impacts on communities, including around three times\u00a0more\u00a0new\u00a0undersea\u00a0offshore\u00a0than\u00a0new\u00a0onshore\u00a0network development.<\/p>\n
Where onshore reinforcement is needed, upgrades to existing infrastructure have been prioritised wherever possible. This approach helps meet future energy needs while reducing impacts on communities and\u00a0maintaining\u00a0a reliable electricity system, it said.<\/p>\n
Alongside the\u00a0Update, NESO has published an Electricity Networks Explainer and Electricity Transmission Design Principles document, providing greater transparency on how network planning decisions are made and how different options are assessed.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Julian Leslie, Director Strategic Energy Planning and Chief Engineer, NESO:\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cDelivering\u00a0timely\u00a0network upgrades is essential to keeping Great Britain\u2019s electricity system reliable,\u00a0resilient\u00a0and affordable\u00a0and supporting\u00a0growth.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThis update builds on the recommendations we published in 2024 and reflects changes to the future energy system, including developments in offshore network design, connections reform and\u00a0the\u00a0UK\u00a0Government\u2019s\u00a0Clean Power\u00a0action plan.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cBy providing greater clarity on where future network investment is likely to be needed, we can help industry plan ahead, support investment decisions and enable economic growth across Great Britain.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Energy Minister,\u00a0Michael Shanks,\u00a0said:<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are taking a strategic approach to building an energy system fit for the future \u2013 that safeguards our energy independence and keeps bills down while driving economic growth in every corner of Britain.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis provides a blueprint for where our electricity grid is needed \u2013 to power AI and industry, and ensure homes and businesses benefit from Britain\u2019s clean, homegrown energy.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Alice Delahunty, president of electricity transmission at National Grid, said:<\/p>\n
\u201cAt National Grid,\u00a0we\u2019re\u00a0already moving quickly to upgrade our network, increase capacity and support economic growth,\u00a0while keeping a clear focus on consumer value and reducing costs.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs electricity demand grows, we need clear and consistent signals on future network needs, including through connections reform. Plans like this from NESO are\u00a0an important step\u00a0in the right direction, showing the upgrades and scale of further investment needed,\u00a0alongside greater use of flexibility..<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will continue to work closely with partners and stakeholders to review the proposals\u00a0outlined, and\u00a0identify the best solutions to upgrade the network and deliver the\u00a0affordable,\u00a0resilient infrastructure the UK economy needs.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Guy Jefferson, Transmission Managing Director at SP Energy Networks said:\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cSP Energy Networks is investing \u00a312 billion in the transmission network across central and southern Scotland, upgrading the electricity system, boosting jobs and the economy.<\/p>\n
\u201cNESO\u2019s update gives further certainty around the country\u2019s future electricity grid and its potential to unlock billions in investment; giving businesses and supply chains the confidence to scale up and deliver. \u201cA fit for purpose modern electricity grid not only supports the UK\u2019s ambition of being a clean energy superpower as it capitalises on its natural resources but also brings real benefits to communities \u2014 from new jobs and apprenticeships to improved local infrastructure.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Rob McDonald, Managing Director of SSEN Transmission, said:<\/p>\n
\u201cInvesting in the electricity transmission network is the key enabler of a cleaner, more secure and affordable electricity system for current and future generations.\u00a0\u00a0It will also act as a major catalyst of economic growth, supporting thousands of jobs and the development of existing and new supply chains across the country.\u00a0\u00a0Taking a long-term, strategic approach, to planning our future electricity system is vital for maximising the opportunities of these investments and to provide certainty to all stakeholders.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Image courtesy of NESO<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"NESO has published an update to the recommendations first set out in its 2024 Beyond 2030 report, reinforcing…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":73811,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[21249],"tags":[159,2580,9705],"class_list":["post-73810","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-national-grid","tag-electricity","tag-national-grid","tag-neso"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@UnitedKingdom\/116841920797119695","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/73810","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=73810"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/73810\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/73811"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=73810"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=73810"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=73810"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}