The future for Great Britain’s electricity infrastructure for the 2030’s and beyond

In today’s Electricity Networks Update, we’ve reinforced the importance of continued investment in Great Britain’s national electricity network, to deliver secure and affordable electricity now and in the future. This will ensure we can meet rising electricity needs in the future and help unlock economic growth across Great Britain.

As our energy mix continues to change with the rapid expansion of new industries and the increasing importance of electricity in our daily lives, the nation’s electricity networks need to adapt to meet our future needs. By the mid-2030s we expect to see more than 30% increase in electricity demand.

Network reinforcement is needed to ensure electricity from new clean energy sources can travel efficiently the length and breadth of the country to where it is needed. This will support new emerging industries like AI data centres, and the electrification of industry heating and transport. Failing to meet future electricity needs, by delaying reinforcement of the network will mean additional ongoing costs for bill payers as the system becomes more challenging to manage.

Without reinforcement the costs of balancing the system could see around a three-times increase between 2031 and 2035, and those looking to connect to the network will be delayed limiting economic growth.

Beyond 2030 Update report

Central to today’s Electricity Networks Update, is the Beyond 2030 Update report, which sets out an independent assessment on the electricity network that needs to be in place into the mid-2030s.

The Beyond 2030 Update builds on an earlier report published in March 2024, to provide clarity following recent changes to the connections process, the UK Government’s Clean Power Action Plan and changes to the future offshore network.

In total, we recommend that 43 network projects be developed for delivery in the 2030s. These recommendations will guide final investment decisions by the regulator Ofgem and provides a clear signal to Transmission Owners and developers who will deliver projects.

We’re recommending three-times more new undersea offshore cabling than new onshore and where there is a need for onshore, upgrades have been favoured over building new lines where possible. This approach best meets future energy needs while reducing the impact on communities. Recommended reinforcements have been assessed using a consisted evidence-based approach balancing cost and deliverability alongside impacts on communities and the environment.

Read the full report

Electricity Networks Explainer and Electricity Transmission Design Principles

As part of today’s Energy Networks Update, we’ve also published supporting documents. The Electricity Networks Explainer provides accessible tools to improve transparency and understanding of transmission network planning. This helps ensure all stakeholders can be clear on how decisions are made, why they represent value for money and who is responsible for network decisions.

In addition, the Electricity Transmission Design Principles (EDTP) provide consistent design guidance for Transmission Owners in delivering network infrastructure.

View the Electricity Networks Explainer

Explore the Electricity Transmission Design Principles

What’s next?

In 2028, we expect to publish the Centralised Strategic Network Plan, bringing together Great Britain’s longer-term electricity, gas and hydrogen national strategic network planning.  It will become the enduring approach to strategic network planning over the next 25 years, providing a clear, coordinated plan for national energy network infrastructure across the whole system.

Julian Leslie, Director Strategic Energy Planning and Chief Engineer, NESO:

“Delivering energy infrastructure efficiently and on time is critical to ensuring the system remains resilient and affordable for everyone. Our electricity system must meet growing future needs to unlock economic growth and enable job creation across every sector and part of Great Britain.

Providing clarity on where our future network is needed helps give certainty to industry to enable continued delivery and provides confidence to support investment decisions.”

Michael Shanks, Minister for Energy, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero:   
 
“We are taking a strategic approach to building an energy system fit for the future - that safeguards our energy independence and keeps bills down while driving economic growth in every corner of Britain.  
 
“This provides a blueprint for where our electricity grid is needed - to power AI and industry, and ensure homes and businesses benefit from Britain’s clean, homegrown energy.”