An investment plan proposed by the U.K. National Grid Electricity System Operator (ESO) seeks to expand and upgrade the power grid to meet demand requirements and the sectoral decarbonization goal set for 2035.

The ESO action policy was developed in response to projections indicating that national electricity needs will increase by nearly 65% by 2035, fueled largely by more electrified heat and transport requirements. In addition, plans to secure a fully decarbonized electricity system by 2035 require producing more power and transporting it in a sustainable manner. A key to achieving these targets will be the efficient connection of offshore wind systems in a coordinated way.

As part of the £58 billion ($73 trillion U.S.) strategy, the U.K. will reap the benefits of an offshore wind generation capacity of 86 GW following the addition of 21 GW of capacity from off the coast of Scotland. Power from these sites will be transmitted via a new electrical spine to meet demand across Scotland and North England. An upgraded transmission network will also encompass power contributions from other low-carbon sources, including the Sizewell C and Hinkley Point nuclear power plants.

By 2035, three times as much undersea cabling will be laid than onshore infrastructure across the U.K. with significant additional power flow capability required onshore and offshore from north to south in the future.