popular articles

National Grid: a record £35 billion investment to modernize the UK’s electricity grid

The UK electricity grid operator, National Grid, announces an ambitious £35 billion plan to double electricity transmission capacity by 2031, in alignment with the government's environmental goals.

Please share:

National Grid, a key player in the UK energy sector, has unveiled a historic £35 billion investment aimed at profoundly transforming the electricity grid in England and Wales. This project is part of a massive modernization effort to support the ambitious environmental goals set by the UK government.

According to John Pettigrew, CEO of National Grid, this initiative represents an unprecedented step forward: “With this plan, we will nearly double the amount of energy transported across the country.” This infrastructure upgrade addresses a growing demand for electricity, driven by the development of new housing, high-energy data centers, and the transition of industries to electric technologies.

Decarbonized electricity by 2030

The UK has committed to achieving completely decarbonized electricity by 2030, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 81% by 2035 (compared to 1990 levels), and reaching carbon neutrality by 2050. The Labour government recently reinforced this ambition by launching a major green energy plan. This program includes the creation of Great British Energy, a new public company with a £8.3 billion budget over five years, designed to invest in technologies such as floating wind turbines and tidal energy.

Modernization and complementary investments in Scotland

Although National Grid is responsible for electricity transmission in England and Wales, other companies are contributing to this modernization effort. In Scotland, SSE has announced a £22 billion investment program by 2031, while Scottish Power Transmission plans to allocate £10.6 billion to modernize the local grid.

Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, highlights the importance of these initiatives: “The UK grid must evolve to meet a constantly increasing demand for electricity, whether to support artificial intelligence, new housing, or industries in transition.”

With these significant investments, the UK is equipping itself to tackle future energy challenges while aligning with its climate commitments.

Register free of charge for uninterrupted access.

Publicite

Recently published in

As a parliamentary debate approaches, twenty energy organizations urge lawmakers to act to reduce France's reliance on fossil fuels by accelerating the electrification of uses.
Nigeria aims to increase its electricity production capacity by 4,000 MW by 2026 to meet the growing demand of the industrial sector, in a context of reforms and partnerships with international players.
Nigeria aims to increase its electricity production capacity by 4,000 MW by 2026 to meet the growing demand of the industrial sector, in a context of reforms and partnerships with international players.
EDF’s outgoing CEO, Luc Rémont, claims French electricity will be more competitive than that of the United States, despite ongoing criticisms from industrialists about high tariffs.
EDF’s outgoing CEO, Luc Rémont, claims French electricity will be more competitive than that of the United States, despite ongoing criticisms from industrialists about high tariffs.
Donald Trump's aggressive trade policies and regulatory uncertainty in the United States are slowing investments in wind, solar, and energy storage, pushing the sector into a period of caution and market volatility.
Donald Trump's aggressive trade policies and regulatory uncertainty in the United States are slowing investments in wind, solar, and energy storage, pushing the sector into a period of caution and market volatility.
The French government activates five funding mechanisms to support industrial decarbonisation projects through the France 2030 plan, targeting major sites, SMEs and high-emission industrial zones.
Paris releases a new €400mn funding package to support industrial projects aimed at reducing emissions under the France 2030 programme.
Paris releases a new €400mn funding package to support industrial projects aimed at reducing emissions under the France 2030 programme.
The massive withdrawal of American financial support and the reduction of European aid could jeopardize energy projects in Africa, profoundly altering their financing structure and the continent's commitments.
The massive withdrawal of American financial support and the reduction of European aid could jeopardize energy projects in Africa, profoundly altering their financing structure and the continent's commitments.
The Vietnamese government has raised its renewable energy targets in a new version of its national energy plan, responding to continued growth in electricity demand.
The Vietnamese government has raised its renewable energy targets in a new version of its national energy plan, responding to continued growth in electricity demand.
A massive outage plunged Puerto Rico into darkness on Wednesday, leaving approximately 1.1 million households without electricity after an unexpected shutdown of all its power plants.
The Czech Republic has ended its dependency on Russian oil after more than six decades, a major shift made in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
The Czech Republic has ended its dependency on Russian oil after more than six decades, a major shift made in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
The European power purchase agreement (PPA) market for renewables reached 19 GW of new capacity in 2024, with growing momentum for hybrid contracts including storage.
The European power purchase agreement (PPA) market for renewables reached 19 GW of new capacity in 2024, with growing momentum for hybrid contracts including storage.
Industry Minister Marc Ferracci criticised the Rassemblement National's stance on energy, accusing it of hindering planned investments in renewables in favour of fossil fuel imports.
Industry Minister Marc Ferracci criticised the Rassemblement National's stance on energy, accusing it of hindering planned investments in renewables in favour of fossil fuel imports.
Bill 69 sparks protests in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, where several organisations denounce a risk of privatising Quebec’s electricity sector.
Wind and solar energy accounted for nearly one-fifth of Türkiye’s electricity generation in 2024, according to an analysis by think tank Ember, driven by a strong increase in installed capacity.
Wind and solar energy accounted for nearly one-fifth of Türkiye’s electricity generation in 2024, according to an analysis by think tank Ember, driven by a strong increase in installed capacity.
The Acerez consortium has signed a 35-year agreement to build and operate over 240 km of high-voltage lines in Australia, marking the country's first public-private partnership in the sector.
The Acerez consortium has signed a 35-year agreement to build and operate over 240 km of high-voltage lines in Australia, marking the country's first public-private partnership in the sector.
France’s multi-year energy strategy shifts focus away from photovoltaics toward flexibility measures, including battery storage, to address growing imbalances in the electricity market.
France’s multi-year energy strategy shifts focus away from photovoltaics toward flexibility measures, including battery storage, to address growing imbalances in the electricity market.
France’s energy regulator unveils its first observatory dedicated to renewable electricity purchase agreements, highlighting a recent but still marginal growth compared to State-backed mechanisms.
The French government plans to adopt within two weeks a decree outlining the decade’s energy objectives, restarting nuclear power and preparing for a parliamentary debate on energy sovereignty.
The French government plans to adopt within two weeks a decree outlining the decade’s energy objectives, restarting nuclear power and preparing for a parliamentary debate on energy sovereignty.
The expansion of solar and wind capacity is multiplying hours of negative prices on European electricity markets, weakening the sector's economic balance while reshaping export and storage dynamics.
The expansion of solar and wind capacity is multiplying hours of negative prices on European electricity markets, weakening the sector's economic balance while reshaping export and storage dynamics.
The National Assembly will discuss national energy security on 28 April at the government’s request, in connection with the upcoming Multiannual Energy Programming covering the 2025-2035 period.
The National Assembly will discuss national energy security on 28 April at the government’s request, in connection with the upcoming Multiannual Energy Programming covering the 2025-2035 period.
Data from think tank Ember reveals that fossil fuels accounted for just 49.2% of US electricity generation in March 2025, marking an unprecedented threshold.
The global electricity mix shifted in 2024 with 40.9% of production from low-carbon sources, according to Ember, driven by historic solar power growth.
The global electricity mix shifted in 2024 with 40.9% of production from low-carbon sources, according to Ember, driven by historic solar power growth.
Facing recurring shortages, Tajikistan tightens energy laws by introducing prison sentences of up to ten years for electricity fraud to protect its ageing hydropower network.
Facing recurring shortages, Tajikistan tightens energy laws by introducing prison sentences of up to ten years for electricity fraud to protect its ageing hydropower network.
The French government finalises its new energy roadmap through 2035, balancing nuclear revival and selective expansion of renewables amid political tensions.
The French government finalises its new energy roadmap through 2035, balancing nuclear revival and selective expansion of renewables amid political tensions.

Advertising