The government’s proposed Great British Grid aims to support the delivery of critical network infrastructure, cut connection delays and unlock capacity for clean power. So what could this mean for fleets looking to install electric vehicle charging?
The government has recently announced plans for a publicly owned Great British Grid, which it says will support the delivery of critical network infrastructure, reduce connection delays and unlock capacity for clean power.
It will operate within Great British Energy (GBE), extending the publicly owned energy company’s investment role beyond clean power generation, storage and supply chains to include electricity network infrastructure.
For fleet operators looking to install EV charging infrastructure, the announcement could prove significant.
Tackling the grid connection bottleneck
Where existing electricity infrastructure cannot support the additional demand needed for electric vehicle charging, network reinforcement may be required. This can introduce significant costs and delays, potentially undermining an otherwise viable fleet electrification business case.
Ben Fletcher, chief executive of business group Logistics UK, said that fully electrifying road freight alone will require an estimated 32 TWh of electricity a year – the equivalent to around 40 per cent of the power used by UK households.
The SMMT meanwhile has said that commercial vehicle operators in the UK face wait times of up to 15 years for electricity grid connections at their transport depots.
The transport sector is also facing growing competition for electricity from power-hungry data centres and new housing developments.
As such, the government argues that Britain’s electricity grid must be expanded and modernised at an “unprecedented pace” to accommodate growing demand.
Great British Grid is intended to bring additional public capital to private sector investment, as well as “dedicated leadership” to projects that need to progress more quickly.
Working alongside existing network operators, private investors and developers, GBG will be able to invest in critical electricity network infrastructure. The government expects this approach to increase competition, accelerate project delivery and help ensure the network can accommodate future demand.
Self-build connections
One of the most relevant elements of the announcement for businesses is the government’s intention to expand self-build electricity connections.
A self-build electricity connection is where a business or project developer builds some or all of the electricity infrastructure needed to connect their site to the national electricity grid, rather than waiting for the electricity network company to build it for them.
The announcement points to reforms in Ireland, where similar measures have reduced connection times by up to 11 months.
Ofgem has recently published a specific consultation on self-build transmission connections.
For fleet operators, self-build connections could create another route to delivering charging infrastructure, particularly for businesses with the resources and expertise to coordinate complex developments.
However, self-build connections will not automatically remove every barrier. Projects will still need appropriate technical approvals, coordination with network operators and access to the wider network capacity required to supply the site. Businesses will also need to assess whether taking on connection works is commercially and operationally viable.
Other reforms
Great British Grid will complement existing reforms to the electricity connections system.
The government is working with the National Energy System Operator (NESO) and Ofgem to reform the connections queue, including removing more than 300GW of speculative capacity. The aim is to prioritise viable projects and improve the process for those ready to connect.
The government will also accelerate competitive tendering for transmission projects, allowing a wider range of organisations, potentially including Great British Grid, to compete to deliver new infrastructure.
Together, these measures are intended to increase competition, encourage innovation and improve value for consumers while speeding up the delivery of essential network upgrades.
How does GBG fit in to the energy system?
Great British Grid will have a distinct role within the wider energy system.
Ofgem will remain the independent economic regulator, responsible for regulating energy markets and network companies, protecting consumers and ensuring value for money. The National Energy System Operator (NESO) will continue to operate, plan and coordinate the electricity system, while Great British Energy will focus on investment in clean power generation, storage and supply chains.
Great British Grid will add a further investment mechanism, using public capital alongside private funding to support electricity network infrastructure.
The government has said GBG’s initial start-up costs will be covered by Great British Energy’s existing budgets, with longer-term funding to be considered through a future spending review.
A step towards removing a major barrier
For fleet operators with energy-intensive requirements, grid connections remain a major obstacle to progress.
Great British Grid represents an attempt to address this challenge at a national infrastructure level, combining public and private investment with reforms designed to increase competition and accelerate delivery.
If the new body helps bring forward network upgrades and gives businesses more flexibility in building connections, it could make it easier for fleet operators to plan and deliver charging projects with greater certainty.
Tom Rowlands, managing director of global EV solutions at Corpay, said: “If Great British Grid can genuinely make that process faster and more predictable, it would address a real commercial constraint. Fleets are making vehicle and infrastructure decisions years in advance through procurement cycles and long-term investment plans, so they need confidence that the power will be available when those vehicles arrive.”
