Our strategy

Our mission is to enable the transformation to a sustainable energy system and ensure the delivery of reliable, affordable energy for all consumers.

Part of this means preparing Britain’s electricity system to be able to run on purely zero-carbon electricity by 2025, so we’re ready to accommodate whatever quantity of zero-carbon electricity is being generated at that time.

Over the last five years, we're proud to say the amount of carbon-based electricity in our system has reduced by an impressive 53%.

But there’s still plenty more to do before we reach our zero-carbon target.

Delivering our strategy

Every business needs a business plan and we’re no exception.

The difference with National Grid ESO is that we’re a regulated business so what we are going to deliver is agreed in partnership with our regulator, Ofgem, as well as the wider energy industry.

Our business plans, also known as RIIO business plans, are long term plans that detail the investments we’ll make, how we’ll innovate for the future and the performance outcomes upon which we’ll be measured. 

We also create an annual Forward Plan, a shorter-term plan that aligns to the wider RIIO business plan.

This ensures we deliver the best value for consumers in a transparent and accountable way.

Becoming a trusted partner to the industry

One of our 2025 ambitions is for the ESO to become a trusted partner. However, we know from stakeholder feedback that we need a step change in our behaviour to achieve this. 

As ESO, we are committed to bringing greater transparency of our operational decision making.

Greater transparency ensures those who are working with the ESO are able to understand our approach, access and understand our data. In turn this ensures a clear and consistent approach for our stakeholders which in turn improves the effectiveness and efficiency of our work.

We have been doing this already through enhanced data flows, sharing insight and revolutionising our communication platforms to share the data and insight of our Electricity National Control Centre (ENCC).