The National Grid has today announced (19 April) its ‘Great Grid Upgrade’, which the system operator is calling “the largest overhaul of the grid in generations.”
The upgrade is set to build new infrastructure across England and Wales to enable more clean energy to be transported from their generation sites at sea to where it’s needed.
By connecting homes to renewable energy, the overhaul hopes to reduce reliance on fossil fuels thus increasing UK energy independence and contribute to lowering energy bills in the long term.
“Our vision is a clean, fair and affordable energy future for the UK. The Great Grid Upgrade will play a major part in delivering this,” said Carl Trowell, president of strategic infrastructure at National Grid.
The Great Grid Upgrade is part of National Grid’s continued programme of investment into the UK energy transition, which will see £16 billion invested from 2021-2026 to support the UK’s net zero goals. National Grid is one of the largest green investors in the FTSE.
Today’s announcement from National Grid is a promising step towards decarbonising the UK’s energy system and lowering electricity bills.
By specifying renewable energy that’s generated at sea, it seems offshore wind will have a significant part to play in the grid upgrade.
Another positive aspect of the overhaul is that it could create a range of new green jobs; however, this will make the need for the UK to bolster its low carbon skills training ever-more pressing.