Upgrading our grid unlocks opportunity

Our lives are more reliant on electricity than ever. Upgrading our power grid will unlock Britain's renewable potential and deliver cleaner, homegrown energy.

Scenic countryside with pylons running throughout.

Automatic

White large offshore wind turbines in the spinning in the ocean.

What is the grid?

Think of the grid as a motorway system for power, carrying energy from where it's made to where it's needed. It delivers power from wind farms, solar farms and power stations to your community.

The grid consists of pylons, underground cables, substations and clever technology that manages the flow of electricity across the country. It even connects to other countries' grids so we can share power when needed.

As our lives become more reliant on electricity, we need to grow our grid to carry power to where people need it. Without this expansion, we can't make the most of our growing renewable energy production.

What projects are happening in my local area?

Find out if any grid expansion or renewable energy projects are happening near you. Your local transmission operator can provide details about planned infrastructure improvements in your community.

England and wales

Woman walking through a grass field, looking happy, with pylons in the distance.

National Grid operates the transmission grid in England and Wales. They look after around 21,000 pylons, more than 300 substations and more than 7,000km of overhead power lines that deliver electricity across the region.

Visit the National Grid website

North of Scotland

Operatives measuring using large equipment whilst wearing high-vis jackets.

SSEN Transmission operates the transmission grid in the north of Scotland. They're responsible for maintaining and investing in the high voltage grid including underground and subsea cables and overhead lines throughout the north of Scotland.

Visit the SSEN Transmission website

Central and southern Scotland

A nurse charging her electric vehicle outside a residential home.

SP Energy Networks (SPEN) operates the transmission grid in the central and southern Scotland. They're responsible for maintaining and investing in the high voltage grid including underground and subsea cables and overhead lines across central and southern Scotland.

Visit the SPEN website

The faster we go, the more secure we become. Every wind turbine we put up, every solar panel we install, every piece of grid we construct helps protect families from future energy shocks.

ED MILIBAND, SECRETARY OF STATE FOR ENERGY SECURITY AND NET ZERO, UK GOVERNMENT

Frequently asked questions

What are pylons and why do we need more of them?

Pylons (technically called 'towers') support high voltage electricity cables that carry power across the country. Like all infrastructure, Great Britain needs to evolve its grid to support increasing demand from homes, businesses, electric cars, and heat pumps. As we use more renewable energy like wind and solar, the grid must be flexible to manage changes in supply and energy being generated in new locations. Upgrading the grid in strategic places is vital for ensuring it can meet energy demands and achieve the UK's clean power goals.

Why can't we put all cables under the sea?

While we have offshore subsea cables and plan more for the future, these still need to land onshore to deliver clean power to homes, requiring cables, substations and pylons. Subsea cables cost about five times more than onshore options and require careful planning to consider other offshore infrastructure, marine life and network resilience. Therefore, while we do use offshore subsea cables, they aren't always the best option.

Why not put all power lines underground?

Power lines are installed underground in some locations, but this isn't always practical or cost-effective. A balance must always be struck between resilience, the impact on local areas, and affordability. This is especially important as installation, maintenance and operation costs are included in our energy bills. On average, underground cables require excavating over 14 times more earth than overhead lines, creating significant environmental disruption.

Who operates the transmission network in Great Britain?

Three companies operate Britain's transmission network: National Grid (England and Wales), SSEN Transmission (north of Scotland) and SP Energy Networks (south of Scotland). These three organisations are behind the 'Moving the Grid Forward' campaign.