Grid Reveals £60bn Bill to Reach Net Zero.

Electricity generated by 86 gigawatts (GW) of offshore turbines will flow through a central “electrical spine” originating from Scotland, according to National Grid’s plan to invest £60 billion in new offshore wind farms. This initiative aims to align with the government’s target to decarbonise the electricity system by 2035. National Grid, responsible for maintaining the electricity supply, will reveal its net-zero strategy on Tuesday. The company plans to connect up to 86GW of offshore wind power by 2035, sufficient to meet peak demand on windy days. This endeavour is projected to create 20,000 jobs annually, with 90% situated outside southeastern England. However, concerns are raised about potential landscape disruption from new pylons. National Grid intends to utilise existing household bill payments for transmission charges to finance network upgrades. With electricity demand expected to rise by nearly two-thirds in the next decade due to various factors such as increased smartphone usage and electric vehicle adoption, extensive cabling will be essential to transport electricity from offshore sites to households and businesses. National Grid’s Electricity System Operator (ESO) division proposes the establishment of an “electrical spine,” comprising onshore cables, to facilitate the movement of power from Peterhead in Aberdeenshire to Merseyside. While the precise route is yet to be finalised, it is anticipated to traverse the east coast and central belt of Scotland to northwestern England. Additionally, three offshore links connecting wind farms in Scotland to the northeast coast of England will be recommended to efficiently link offshore turbines.

Fintan Slye, Executive Director of ESO, emphasizes the importance of a robust electricity system for the country’s future and stresses the need for prompt, coordinated action to achieve the net-zero target. In contrast to the previous practice of individual connections by offshore wind farm developers, National Grid’s integrated approach aims to reduce costs and minimise disruptions. The plan involves substantial undersea cabling, addressing concerns raised by communities, including those in Conservative constituencies like Suffolk. National Grid’s proposal includes laying three times more undersea cabling compared to pylons, with upgrades to the existing network and the establishment of new offshore and onshore networks. These networks, spanning 900km, 3,800km and 1,600km respectively, may incorporate overhead or underground installations. As Britain moves away from coal and towards renewable energy sources, such as wind and nuclear power, offshore wind is set to play a significant role in the energy mix, with Britain poised to become a leading player in offshore wind generation by 2035.