Today Labour leader Keir Starmer announced a package of measures to reform the UK's energy system and accelerate our progress towards net zero. Responding to the speech, Lawrence Slade, Chief Executive, Energy Networks Association, said:
“We welcome Labour’s commitment to clean energy and their recognition of the need to work with businesses to ensure the skills and infrastructure are in place to deliver the electrification and hydrogen we need.
“Our grids are the foundation of our country’s efforts to create a decarbonised, resilient energy system. We’re especially encouraged by proposals to speed up the planning system and unlock key projects. Anything which helps accelerate planning and ensures the delivery of critical energy infrastructure is positive in our eyes.”
Press contacts for journalists
Philip Baker
Media Relations Manager
ENA Press Office
Notes to editor
- UK network operators received 164GW of new connection requests in the year to October 2022 alone. That’s around three times the capacity of our grid today.
- The industry is working to improve and accelerate grid connections through action plans launched this year. More at https://www.energynetworks.org/operating-the-networks/connecting-to-the-networks/improving-and-accelerating-customer-connections
About Energy Networks Association
Energy Networks Association (ENA) is the industry body representing the electricity wires, gas pipes and energy system in the UK and Ireland.
ENA helps its members meet the challenge of delivering electricity and gas to communities across the UK and Ireland safely, sustainably and reliably.
Its members include every major electricity and gas network operator in the UK and Ireland, independent operators, National Grid ESO which operates the electricity system in Great Britain and National Gas which operates the gas system in Great Britain. Its affiliate membership also includes companies with an interest in energy, including Heathrow Airport and Network Rail.
What are energy network operators?
Energy network operators manage and maintain the wires, pipes and other infrastructure which delivers electricity and gas to your home, business and community. They are private companies which are regulated by Ofgem and employ around 40,000 people in Great Britain.