NESO’s 2026 priorities: a more secure, affordable, sustainable energy future

2026 will bring new challenges – but our focus at NESO is unchanged. Building an energy system in Great Britain (GB) that works for people, society and our economy.

To get there we must do three things. Boost our energy security. Lower costs. And help tackle the very real threat of climate change.

The need to keep moving fast, and deliver in a changing world, is unrelenting. Energy security, lower bills, new industries and a cleaner future for families across every region of Great Britain simply won’t wait. 

Just as a business-as-usual approach simply won’t cut it either. We need progress at pace and the bravery to do things differently in equal measure. 

The time is upon us to move from policy and process to decisive, visible, action. To show not tell the real benefit of this transition for the people and places that stand to benefit. 

To that end, here’s my three priorities for NESO in 2026:

A more secure system

In 2026 we will continue with our operational core: safely and securely balancing the electricity system second by second, keeping it one of the most reliable in the world and keeping GB moving.

We will also work with industry and stakeholders to continue providing robust energy system insight and analysis. From helping to implement recommendations on the resilience of critical national infrastructure in our recent North Hyde report, to stepping into our role planning GB’s gas network, NESO’s role can drive resilience, planning and security for the whole system.

Energy security is national security – and at a time when threats around the world are growing, we will keep it front and centre in our priorities.

A more affordable energy system

We know costs for consumers, businesses and industry are too high right now. Bold delivery to change and reform our energy system can help to tackle this. 

Connections reform will be transformative for GB. NESO will continue to work with customers through 2026 as we help reform the system – to help unlock new home-grown industries, and £40 billion in annual investment. 

We also continue to explore the vast potential of AI, data, innovation and flexibility, finding new ways to drive value for consumers.

A more sustainable energy system

GB can benefit from a more joined up, strategically planned, energy system, moving away from a legacy of industry siloes that have at times slowed progress. 

Although timelines have shifted, 2026 will see us continue to press ahead with our first-of-a-kind spatial energy plans – nationally and regionally. These will look to the future and prioritise what is needed, where it’s needed, when it’s needed, to deliver a sustainable and clean energy system.

Crucially this will have a strong focus on engagement. To be successful the energy transition must be fair and bring people and communities with it. NESO will work with stakeholders, customers and local communities to help everyone on the journey and ensure we capture the benefits, with new industries and jobs for places across GB.

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Through all of this, NESO will redouble collaboration with partners and colleagues worldwide. By coming together, we can better tackle the shared security challenges we face and capture the climate growth opportunities. 

In 2025 we transformed GB’s power system so that it could operate at zero carbon - during 2026 we expect to see this become a reality. This will be a huge milestone and show what is possible when we put our minds together and aim big!

We are passionate about promoting new opportunities for GB’s entire economy; opportunities that will serve people, places and communities across Great Britain for generations to come. 

We are not interested in box ticking as part of a boxed off energy initiative. NESO, and the wider energy industry, exist to serve people, society and the economy and we are determined to deliver. 

2026 can be a big step forward for us all. At NESO we are ready to play our part. Let’s get to work.

Fintan Slye, CEO, NESO