The UK grid operator NESO has released an updated version of its 2024 Beyond 2030 recommendations, outlining the network investments required for Great Britain’s electricity system (NESO’s Electricity Transmission Update report, 30/06/2026).
According to NESO, Britain will need to commit roughly GBP89bn (EUR104bn) throughout the 2030s to modernize its power grid, which risks increasing inefficiencies and higher consumer costs if upgrades are delayed. This new projection marks a 53% rise compared with the plan issued in 2024. NESO also cautioned that, without timely reinforcement, grid‑balancing expenses could triple between 2031 and 2035.
A constrained grid remains one of the most significant obstacles to Britain’s clean‑energy ambitions. Although wind and solar generation have grown rapidly, transmission capacity has not kept pace. The planned upgrades aim to support demand expected to increase by more than 30% by the mid‑2030s, driven by electric vehicles, new housing, industry, and AI‑enabled data centres, the report said. NESO stated that the updated recommendations confirm the necessity of substantial investment in the transmission network to maintain reliable and efficient power delivery as demand expands. The document highlights 43 major network projects scheduled for development during the 2030s.
NESO further advised that the country will require three times more new undersea cables than new onshore transmission lines, alongside upgrades to existing assets to limit the impact of pylons on local communities. High-capacity offshore high voltage direct current (HVDC) links off the eastern and western coasts will form the backbone of the system, enabling large volumes of renewable generation to move from
North Eastern Scotland into Northern England, the English Midlands and further south to major demand centres. Strategic onshore reinforcements across northern England, North Wales, the Midlands and Southern England will complement these HVDC links. NESO also noted that additional investment will be essential to manage rising electricity needs in other sectors, such as transport and heating.
According to our data, the share of electricity in final energy consumption increased from 20% in 2010 to 22% in 2025, 4 points below the OECD average in 2025. Long-term projections show that the electrification rate must intensify to 69% in 2050 to meet climate objectives (Enerdata Global Energy Research).