Britain launches £150bn grid overhaul to shield households from future energy shocks

Britain is embarking on a £150 bn megaproject to modernise its electricity network, adding five times more infrastructure by 2030 than in the previous thirty years. The scheme includes thousands of miles of new pylons, subsea cables and converter stations to link growing wind and solar farms and ease the country’s dependence on costly gas-fired generation. Neso forecasts £64 bn of transmission work by 2030 and a further £89 bn thereafter, with the expense reflected in household bill surcharges.

Over 4,000 miles of new lines are slated for completion by 2041, sparking opposition from some rural residents who describe the build-out as an “energy invasion.” While the National Audit Office warns of possible project delays, analysts say the upgrades will ultimately lower energy costs and protect the economy from future price spikes.