NGESO_Aerial view of bike shadow_1214133673.jpg
Bridging the Gap to net zero

The Future Energy Scenarios Bridging the Gap to net zero project takes a closer look at what needs to be done to reach the UK’s 2050 net zero target, building on the key messages in FES publication.

This year the project is taking a closer look at peaks and troughs in the electricity system in 2035, made especially relevant with the new government target for a fully decarbonised power system by 2035.

Key messages

1. Flexibility needs broad and large-scale investment to start now

Strategic investment is needed in flexibility related assets, which are digitalised and interoperable. This is alongside the need for urgent market reform and investment in all networks.

2. Consumers are part of the solution

Unlocking end-consumer flexibility is fundamental to effectively managing a fully decarbonised energy system. Facilitating access to this flexibility is complex and needs to start now.

3. Net zero needs cross-sector coordination

A whole system approach to coordinating the delivery of net zero across the country is required to prioritise and drive action.

Man standing on a balcony with coffee

A Day in the Life of 2035

We have outlined what a day in the life of the energy system in 2035 might look like and then considered how we can make sure we will have the flexibility required by 2035.

Tip: Please use the interactive elements like the arrows and orange boxes to navigate through the document.

View the Day in the Life of 2035 (interactive)

Family looking out onto field

A flexibility timeline to 2035

Working with stakeholders to join the dots between ESO activities, key industry plans and strategies, we have built a flexibility timeline showing the specific actions and milestones needed to get us to a 2035 flexible energy system.

View the flexibility timeline to 2035 (interactive)

Download the flexibility timeline to 2035 (print ready)

Flexibility timeline tracker

736863_NGESO_Glowlines_Standard_Promo_555x31222.jpg

Bridging the Gap launch webinar

We launched our 2022 Bridging the Gap to net zero materials during a webinar on 16 March 2022.

Bridging the Gap to net zero launch

If you have any comments or questions about Bridging the Gap, please get in touch using [email protected]

Bridging the Gap to net zero archive

Below you can find our previous Bridging the Gap materials and documents from 2020 and 2021.

You might also be interested in

Future Energy Scenarios (FES)

FES represent a range of different, credible ways to decarbonise our energy system as we strive towards the 2050 target.

National Grid ESO - Markets transformation roadmap - Solar panels and wind turbines in field.jpg

Markets Roadmap

As the system operator National Grid ESO are finding new ways to keep the grid balanced, helping to meet net zero emissions targets and minimise costs for consumers.

Operability Strategy

Our Operability Strategy explains the challenges we face maintaining and developing our electricity system and how we are addressing them.

Father and son by water with net

Net Zero Market Reform

Our Net Zero Market Reform project was established in early 2021 to examine holistically the changes to current GB electricity market design that will be required to achieve net zero.