I write at a time of continued geopolitical tension with global implications for us all. Recent events, like Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine before them, continue to affect Great Britain’s energy system.

Too often, people’s energy bills are driven by global price volatility and international instability. That has real consequences for communities managing the cost of living, businesses facing rising costs and consumers paying some of the highest electricity prices in Europe.

These pressures bring the energy trilemma into sharper focus: how we balance security of supply, affordability and sustainability for consumers. Right now, security and affordability are understandably front of mind.

But this is not a zero-sum trade-off. The path to a cleaner energy system in Great Britain is also the most credible path to a more secure and more affordable one.

Scaling up cleaner, homegrown power reduces our exposure to volatile fossil fuel markets. That strengthens security and improves affordability over time. Investing in networks and flexibility improves resilience while enabling more sustainable generation. Well-designed markets can also help ensure those benefits are passed on to consumers.

NESO was established as an independent body to help balance the trilemma in the interests of consumers. We operate today’s electricity system and help plan tomorrow’s, working with government, the regulator, industry and communities across Great Britain. Three priorities stand out.

The path to a cleaner energy system in Great Britain is also the most credible path to a more secure and more affordable one. 
 

Delivering at pace

The immediate priority is to transform our energy system at pace and, thankfully, there is real progress to build on. Record offshore wind auction results. More grid infrastructure under construction. New highs in generation from renewables. A new record for zero carbon operation earlier this year.

These are not just milestones. They are practical steps towards an energy system that is less exposed to global price shocks and delivers more stable prices for consumers.

Recent events reinforce the importance of staying the course. Now we need to maintain that momentum. Every project delivered and every reform completed brings us closer to a more secure, affordable and sustainable energy system.

Reforming the connections process is an essential part of that work. The previous system was not fit for purpose. The new pipeline could unlock around £40bn of investment each year, support large-scale electrification and help build the industries of the future, while reducing long-term exposure to global price shocks.

More than half of the offers needed for 2030 have now been issued, and NESO continues to work at pace with customers. At the same time, industry is building the network needed to connect more clean power to the grid.

Reforming the energy market is equally important. Markets that better reflect how the system operates can respond more efficiently to changes in supply and demand. That improves resilience and reduces avoidable costs for consumers. We are working with government and Ofgem on reformed national pricing to help achieve this.

Ultimately, visible progress is the best way to demonstrate the benefits of the transition and show consumers how it can improve energy security, affordability and sustainability.

Planning the whole system

Delivering the energy transition requires a broader approach to planning. It means looking across the whole system at how generation, networks, storage and demand interact, and recognising how decisions in one area affect another.

This is what we mean by a whole-system approach. As an independent body, NESO is well placed to take that view, bringing together evidence from across the energy system to support better-informed decisions.

Our strategic energy plans are central to that work. They will set out what we need, where we need it and by when, looking ahead to 2050 and beyond. They will align national, regional and network priorities, provide a clearer framework for investment, and give communities a stronger voice in shaping new infrastructure.

Done well, they will help keep the trilemma in balance over the long term. They will strengthen resilience while coordinating the growth of clean power with the infrastructure needed to support it.

These plans are being developed with stakeholders across the sector and we will consult on them over the next two years. Options for future energy generation and storage will be presented to the UK government in 2026, ahead of the first public consultation next year.

Staying the course

When I was younger, I trained with the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. It taught me that when conditions are uncertain, stay calm, trust the plan and keep moving forward. That is where we are today.

The energy trilemma continues to define Great Britain’s energy transition. By focusing on delivery, making better use of data and planning the system as a whole, we can keep security, affordability and sustainability in balance for consumers.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are strictly those of the author only and are not necessarily given or endorsed by or on behalf of the Energy Institute.

• Further reading: ‘UK government rules out move to zonal pricing for electricity market’. Discover more about the debate around zonal pricing.
• ‘Can the UK rewire its energy future?’. At the recent All-Energy conference in Glasgow, Scotland, industry leaders warned that UK electricity network upgrades, supply chains and investment must keep pace with the transition if the country is to capture the benefits of growing renewable generation while shielding consumers from future energy shocks.