Key facts
- The cost to rewire Great Britain's electricity networks could reach nearly £90 billion by the 2030s.
- This represents a 50% increase from previous forecasts.
- The National Energy System Operator (Neso) provided the forecast.
- The investment is needed to meet UK government clean power targets.
- The investment is also needed to meet rising electricity demand.
The National Energy System Operator (Neso) forecasts that the cost to rewire Great Britain's electricity networks could escalate to nearly £90 billion by the 2030s. This figure represents a substantial 50% increase compared to previous projections. The substantial investment is deemed essential to align with the UK government's ambitious clean power targets and to accommodate the projected rise in electricity demand. This extensive upgrade of the national grid is intended to facilitate the transition towards renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power, and to support the increasing electrification of transportation and heating systems. The Neso's assessment highlights the scale of infrastructure development required to achieve a net-zero energy future for the United Kingdom.