Britain’s National Grid unveils £58b energy system upgrade plan

Britain’s National Grid has proposed a £58 billion ($73.5 billion) investment programme to enhance grid networks beyond 2030 to accommodate the expected growth in electricity demand and renewable power projects, Reuters reported on Tuesday.

The country aims to decarbonise its power sector by 2035, requiring more renewable power plants like wind and solar to be connected to the grid.

The National Grid’s Electricity System Operator (ESO) stated that the current grid is nearing capacity and needs reinforcement to handle the increased demand as more sectors switch to electricity.

The ESO’s Beyond 2030 report recommends expanding the offshore power grid and constructing a new north-south electrical spine to transport electricity from Scotland to northern England. Additionally, new transmission lines from Scotland to southern England are proposed.

Scotland has plans for numerous offshore wind projects, with the potential to exceed its electricity demand significantly.

The report did not specify funding details, but energy network costs are typically recovered through consumer energy bills. The plan would require approval from the government and regulator Ofgem.