Senedd members learn how National Grid will drive net zero in their constituencies

Political stakeholders in Wales have been finding out how our ambitious Business Plan for 2023 – 28 will deliver net zero in their region.

At an event in Cardiff, billed as ‘Turbo charging the road to net zero for your community’, National Grid representatives detailed how the RIIO-ED2 distribution Business Plan will revolutionise the electricity network, accelerating decarbonisation and boosting energy security, while keeping average customer bills flat.

Senedd members, councillors and civil servants from across the region learned more about National Grid’s distribution Business Plan to invest over £1 billion in the energy network, benefiting communities, businesses and residents across South Wales.

The Welsh Government has set ambitious net zero goals, which will require investment in upgraded energy infrastructure, delivering a cleaner, smarter, and more flexible energy network with the capacity to connect low carbon technologies essential for decarbonising Welsh transport and heating. Between 2023 - 28, National Grid plans to invest more than £1 billion across the South Wales electricity distribution network to boost energy security and decarbonisation. The funding will help connect over 75,500 heat pumps and nearly 68,700 electric vehicle chargers throughout the region, helping to dramatically reduce carbon emissions. Overall, National Grid is proposing to spend £6 billion across its distribution network, which covers the Midlands, South West England and South Wales.

Investment in the low voltage local network is essential to meeting the surge in demand for low carbon technologies including heat pumps, solar panels, and electric vehicle chargers on the network.

Guests were also able to discuss National Grid’s industry-leading apprenticeship, fuel poverty and customer support programmes, including the latest round of its ‘Community Matters Fund’ which this winter is delivering a record £3 million to charitable organisations who are tackling fuel poverty in their local communities.

While National Grid has set out ambitious investment plans, Ofgem’s recent draft determination would cut expenditure in South Wales by over £184 million. This could add up to five years to the net zero aspirations of regional stakeholders and result in around 11,000 fewer EV charger connections and 12,000 fewer heat pump connections across the National Grid network in South Wales.

National Grid undertook extensive customer and stakeholder engagement in the development of its proposed Business Plan and believes the balance between investment, innovation and affordability is correct. The company and stakeholders attending the event are now urging Ofgem to ensure the plans are fully funded in anticipation of the final determination later this month.

Graham Halladay, National Grid Electricity Distribution’s Operations Director commented on the event saying, “Our Business Plan was built in partnership with customers and stakeholders and fully reflects the ambitions of the people we serve. Our plan will see us invest billions of pounds across the network, delivering innovative solutions that connect customers to clean, fair and affordable sources of energy – all while keeping our portion of bills broadly flat in real terms.

“It was great to see so many Senedd members and interested stakeholders from South Wales and we were grateful for the opportunity to discuss their energy priorities and our role in making a net zero Wales a reality.

“We will continue to work with Ofgem to champion a price control that meets the needs of our customers; sustainability, connectability, vulnerability, and most importantly affordability.”

Further information on National Grid's Business Plan can be found here.