The energy revolution that’s helping us fast forward to net zero

Thanks to The Great Grid Upgrade, our TVs and gadgets will soon be powered by more cleaner, greener energy than ever before.

When you’re gripped by a thrilling box set, a newly-released blockbuster or a bit of nail-biting sport, understandably you might not think about where the electricity keeping your TV running is coming from. After all, the way we consume power is constantly changing. One of the biggest tests of the electricity grid used to come at half time during a big football game or the ad break of a soap cliffhanger, when everyone would stick the kettle on to calm their nerves.

While that phenomenon occurs less commonly now, between wi-fi-enabled streaming and using mobile devices for viewing, in addition to experience-enhancing extras such as mood lighting or sound bars and speakers, energy threads its way through everything we love to do. But how can we continue enjoying our favourite entertainment while using cleaner, greener energy?

National Grid has a plan

Our electricity grid is about to undergo its largest overhaul in generations, and it’s called The Great Grid Upgrade from National Grid. This transformative project comprises a range of infrastructure projects across England and Wales that will help transport more renewable energy from where it’s generated to the homes and businesses that need it.

And there’s already plenty of renewable energy being generated off our shores. In fact, the UK already has one of the largest offshore wind capacities in the world, with some 13.6GW in operation, which is enough to power around 13 million homes. Recent years have also seen record-breaking amounts of renewable energy generated – for instance, in 2023, 36% of our energy came from wind, solar and hydro power. On a single day in December, a massive 56% of our energy came from wind.

With electricity demand expected to double, The Great Grid Upgrade will enable the electricity grid to carry more clean energy. This is essential for us to achieve net zero, and to meet the government’s goal for 50GW of wind power in our energy system by 2030 as well.

That means electricity created from a wind turbine in the North Sea could power your TV, and all the bells and whistles that come with it. Better still, connecting 50GW of offshore wind could save the equivalent carbon emissions of taking 5.2 million petrol or diesel cars off the road or, 509 million trees capturing and storing carbon every year.

What it means for you

More access to clean, affordable power will help us all reduce our own carbon footprints, and crucially help bring our net zero target even closer. Better still, because you’ll be able to use more of the renewable energy generated right here in Britain, it could lead to smaller electricity bills in the future.

Not only that, but the investment necessary to realise the full extent of the projects could support up to 130,000 jobs as part of the net zero energy workforce and add up to £11bn to Great Britain’s economy by 2050*.

Simply, The Great Grid Upgrade promises a more energy-secure, self-sufficient future for the UK, and a cleaner, greener home for you. How’s that for a win-win?

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