At National Grid ESO, our target is to be able to operate a zero-carbon electricity system in Britain by 2025.
Which means preparing the system to run purely on zero-carbon electricity, like wind, solar and hydropower, without relying on any carbon-based generators to balance the grid.
We’d be the first system operator in the world to make the full transformation. And we’re working hard to make it happen.
Over the past five years, we’re proud to say the average carbon intensity of our electricity system has reduced by 53%. Here’s how:
Firstly, reliance on coal-fired power stations has lessened, with all remaining UK coal plants to be shut down by 2024.
We’ve facilitated more sustainable electricity suppliers to connect to the system, from windfarms, solar farms and biomass generators, to the growing number of homes and small businesses with microgeneration of their own.
We’re also introducing new ways to balance the frequency of electricity in the system without using carbon.
Making a conscious decision to control your energy use, perhaps with the help of a smart meter – helps reduce the demand on the system and ease our transition to a greener electricity supply. We’ve still got a long way to go to reach our target. But we’re committed to overcoming the challenges before us, and working together to build a sustainable Britain for generations to come.