Published: Tue 29 Sep 2026
IET responds to Great British Grid initiative
The success of the Great British Grid initiative announced by the Prime Minister today is dependent on the detail and execution.
Faye Banks, IET Fellow and member of the IET’s Sustainability and Net Zero Policy Centre, said:
“The UK’s grid connection process is becoming an increasingly significant barrier to economic growth, electrification and the delivery of new energy infrastructure. Additional investment, new powers, and reforms focused on accelerating network delivery and reducing connection delays will be a positive step if it helps unlock projects more quickly.
However, the initiative needs to ensure that it acknowledges that these challenges are not solely attributable to the current ownership model. Many of the delays we see are driven by planning and consenting processes, regulatory requirements, supply chain constraints and the broader complexity of delivering large-scale transmission infrastructure.
Introducing a new public delivery body will only be effective if roles and responsibilities are clearly defined and it complements rather than duplicates the functions already undertaken by NESO, Ofgem and the transmission owners. The ultimate success will depend on the detailed implementation model, governance arrangements and how effectively it works alongside existing private sector investment.”
The IET welcomes the opportunity to cooperate with government to help drive the success of this initiative.
ENDS
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