Great Britain needs to invest about 89 billion British pounds ($117.83 billion) in electricity transmission beyond 2030 to keep power supplies secure and affordable electricity and to meet higher future demand, the National Energy System Operator said on Tuesday.
A Neso report published Tuesday said electricity demand in Great Britain is expected to increase by over 30% by the mid-2030s. Without grid upgrades, the cost of balancing the power system could triple between 2031 and 2035, while delays to new grid connections could slow economic growth.
"Network reinforcement is needed to ensure electricity from new clean energy sources can travel efficiently the length and breadth of the country to where it is needed. This will support new emerging industries like AI data centres, and the electrification of industry heating and transport," the report said.
"Failing to meet future electricity needs, by delaying reinforcement of the network will mean additional ongoing costs for bill payers as the system becomes more challenging to manage," it added.
Neso, which is responsible for planning and operating Great Britain's electricity and gas networks, recommended 43 network projects be developed for delivery in the 2030s.
It further suggested building three times more new offshore undersea cables than new onshore lines and advocated for the upgrade of existing lines over installing new ones where possible for onshore transmission.
"Across Great Britain, we recommend a total of [89 billion British pounds] of network investment beyond 2030 delivering a coordinated offshore and onshore network design, supported by targeted upgrades to local networks and power flow control," Neso said.