The Great Grid Upgrade is the largest overhaul of the electricity grid in generations. Our infrastructure projects across England and Wales are helping to connect more affordable sources of home-grown and renewable energy to your homes and businesses
Project spotlight: Cumbria - Cross Border Connection
This project is designed to strengthen the electricity network between Scotland and England. It will connect new sources of energy in the Scottish Borders to the wider network.
Upgrading the grid today makes for a better tomorrow
Energy powers the things we love; from the floodlights that make evening games possible, to the farms that feed us and the technology we rely on. But the way we power our lives is changing.
We’ll all be using more electricity than ever before, accelerated by the move away from relying on imported fossil fuels. This means we need to build new infrastructure and upgrade the existing grid, so that our home-grown energy can be brought from where it’s generated to where it’s needed.
Lowering energy bills
Harnessing and using home-grown renewable power helps with affordability and is expected to lower energy bills in the long term.
Jobs and economic boost
By the end of the decade, National Grid will support over 55,000 more UK jobs and be contributing £14.5bn a year to the UK economy.*
Energy security
The Great Grid Upgrade will connect clean energy that’s produced right here in the UK, making our energy supply more self-sufficient and less reliant on imports.
Improving biodiversity
All projects must deliver biodiversity improvements of at least 10%, ensuring habitats are protected, restored or newly created. This will support wildlife and improve natural environments.
*National Grid and Oxford Economics May 2024. Economic contribution is based on gross value added (GVA)
Looking for a project near you?
The Great Grid Upgrade comprises of 17 major infrastructure projects that will both scale up the grid and update our existing networks.