A flexible, lower carbon Grid

Throughout COP27, ECAtoday is sharing stories of low carbon innovation and transformation from Members, Associates and Content Partners. Stay tuned to leadingthecharge.eca.co.uk for all the latest articles, videos and podcasts, and download ECA’s Green Pivot document for guidance on low carbon and net zero work for electrotechnical contractors. 

National Grid’s Electricity Distribution business is planning to invest £6.7 billion across its network as a key part of its commitment to a net zero future and its aim of operating as a net zero business by 2028, 22 years ahead of government targets. In addition to tackling its own carbon footprint, the investment will help National Grid’s customers and stakeholders to achieve their own low carbon ambitions. 

According to Mark Shaw, Electricity Distribution Transformation Lead at National Grid, “Our plans have connectability and sustainability at their core. We’re making sure that our network is ready to facilitate the mass connection of low carbon technologies (LCTs), playing a leading role in delivering the UK’s net zero targets and enabling others to follow. This is the reason why being part of Leading the Charge was such an obvious fit for us.”

National Grid will provide the capacity needed for an additional 1.5 million electric vehicles and 600,000 heat pumps by 2028 

As the demand for low carbon technologies grows and customers become more invested in optimising their energy profile, they expect more from their network provider. That’s why National Grid have become the first network operator to make a connectability pledge, promising their customers that network capacity will never be a barrier to the adoption of domestic LCTs.  

As part of this pledge, National Grid will provide the capacity needed for an additional 1.5 million electric vehicles and 600,000 heat pumps by 2028, empowering their eight million customers to make green choices that suit their lifestyle or business. 

The responsibility faced by National Grid in maintaining a network that allows communities to go about their daily lives also comes with the opportunity to lead by example on the way to net zero. 

As part of its ambition to be a net zero company by 2028, the company is committed to replacing at least 89% of their existing operational vehicle fleet with EVs by 2028 and installing EV charging at all operational sites. In addition to reducing carbon emissions, National Grid is setting a number of sustainability and biodiversity goals at major new project sites, including a ten percent net gain in plant, insect and animal life.

National Grid’s commitment to a well-connected, sustainable, low carbon future is creating a flexible, green network that will allow both employees and customers to be an integral part of the drive towards to UK net zero carbon.