Boris Johnson has underscored his commitment for more offshore wind and a Green Industrial Revolution in his keynote party conference speech today.
The UK's energy network operators have already been investing and helping to turn the country into a superpower of renewable energy. Here are six ways that network companies are helping us to Build Back Greener:
- Connecting record levels of renewable generation - nearly 50GW of renewable electricity is now connected to the grid. Almost 80% of the increase in renewable capacity since last year has come from offshore wind.
- Turbocharging infrastructure for electric vehicles - since 2015 the number of charging points has increased by 402%.
- Helping to slash carbon emissions - replacing old cast-iron mains gas pipes with new hydrogen and biomethane-ready pipes will have taken the equivalent of over 526,000 cars off the road since 2014.
- Creating jobs and growth - 400,000 jobs will be needed by 2050 to deliver the UK’s emissions targets. More jobs will be needed within the energy networks, the supply chain and in the new services and industries that emerge.
- Helping our gas go green - moving to a zero-carbon gas grid where we use low carbon gases like biomethane and hydrogen will help save bill-payers £89bn by 2050.
- Our Open Networks project is helping homes and businesses take full advantage of new technologies such as electric vehicles and heat pumps and underpinning the delivery of an even smarter, more efficient grid.
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.