At National Grid ESO our projects all contribute towards our effort to make the grid ready to operate with 100% zero carbon electricity by 2025. They range from Distributed ReStart and Power Potential to NOA Pathfinders and Net Zero market reform.
Innovation projects
We are on track to fully decarbonise the system by 2035. To help us achieve this, we have a portfolio of active innovation projects funded by both the Network Innovation Allowance (NIA) and Network Innovation Competition (NIC). Plus, we’re aiming to undertake large, collaborative, whole system projects using Ofgem’s new Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF).
You can find out more about our projects below.
Resource adequacy assesses the potential risks to security of supply and whether there are sufficient available resources to meet electricity demand throughout the year.
Power Potential is a ground-breaking collaboration between National Grid ESO (NGESO), UK Power Networks and generators on the south coast distribution network.
The Network Planning Review (NPR) has been established by the ESO to ensure that network design and investment processes in GB are fit for the future.
ESO’s Net Zero Market Reform programme was established in early 2021 to examine holistically the changes to current GB electricity market design that will be required to achieve net zero.
The Stability Market Design project will consider current GB stability arrangements and investigate the best option for an end-to-end stability market design.
In the 12 months, from April 2021 to March 2022, we have grown our capabilities, and our team, to fully avail of the Network Innovation Allowance (NIA) funding to address our strategic priorities.
Here you can find out about the Distributed ReStart project. Learn about the project’s benefits, its partners, and the workstreams that delivered its outputs.
Offshore wind has been identified as a critical technology in achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. In order to help realise this target, a step-change in both the speed and scale of deployment of offshore wind is required.
Early Competition is a competitive process to select a bidder a solution or a specific need on GB's electricity transmission system. The process begins ‘early’, prior to the detailed design, surveying and consenting phases of solution development.

ENA Smarter Networks Portal
We are a member of the Energy Networks Association (ENA). The Smarter Networks Portal is where you can find the latest information, events and outcomes from all NIA and NIC funded projects undertaken by the ESO and other members of the ENA.