Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to increase the capacity of the electricity grid while the Future System Operation is established.

The Government is committed to expanding electricity network capacity to accommodate new clean sources of electricity generation and demand, as set out jointly with Ofgem in the Electricity Networks Strategic Framework.

Ofgem has already accelerated nearly £20bn of strategic transmission projects to increase grid capacity to support the government’s 2030 renewables ambition and has allowed £22.2bn for distribution networks to expand capacity ready for low-carbon technology growth.

The government is establishing a new Future System Operator with responsibilities across both the electricity and gas systems, including strategically planning the networks to further support grid investment decisions.