Associate feature: NESO to deliver for Scotland

Less than 24 hours after the closure of Britain’s last coal power station (Ratcliffe on Soar) a new independent, public corporation was established and entrusted with the responsibility of delivering the reliable, clean, and affordable energy needed for a sustainable future for all corners of Great Britain. 

As the first Chief Executive Officer of this new National Energy System Operator (NESO), I am honoured to lead a team of passionate and innovative people who are committed to delivering on this mission, building on the achievements of Great Britain’s energy sector to date and accelerating future progress.

Scotland will sit at the heart of our future energy system, and I am committed to ensuring that we deliver for consumers across the whole of Scotland.

The creation of NESO is driven by an urgent need to unify and optimize Britain’s approach to energy. The current system, though effective in many ways, requires a more integrated and coordinated strategy to meet the unprecedented challenges of climate change, ensuring we maintain secure energy supplies, and keeping costs manageable for consumers. 

NESO will expand on the work previously delivered by the Electricity System Operator (ESO) taking on new roles and responsibilities to deliver holistic thinking and strategic oversight, across both the electricity and gas systems. NESO will act as a focal point for decarbonisation, helping to orchestrate efforts across all levels of government and society, ensuring we design the networks and markets that Great Britain needs.

One of our first actions will be to advise the UK Government on how we can achieve clean power by 2030. This target represents a new challenge and will require policy makers and industry to do things quicker and do things differently to how we have done them in the past.

The journey to a fully decarbonised Scotland by 2045 and Great Britain by 2050 will require more than the capabilities of NESO alone. It will necessitate a robust and ongoing collaboration across the entire energy ecosystem. From policymakers to industry leaders, from innovators to consumers, every stakeholder has a crucial part to play. 

Scotland will sit at the heart of this energy transition and will play a key role in delivering secure, affordable and clean power. NESO will collaborate with Scottish Government, industry and society to unlock Scotland’s energy potential and harness it for the benefit of Scottish consumers. 

Scotland will have an abundance of clean, cheap energy in future that will far exceed its needs to light and heat homes and businesses. NESO will help plan a future where Scotland can make best use of this opportunity to grow new businesses and benefit from exporting energy.

NESO will bring together those planning for the decarbonisation of transport, heating and other sectors from Shetland to Lockerbie to unite them in a holistic approach, that utilises not just all the aspects of both electricity and gas networks, but that addresses the breadth of energy needs facing Scotland. 

Delivering solutions that can take advantage of the energy surplus that Scotland can benefit from, will unlock multiple rewards for Scotland and for the rest of Great Britain, driving investment, creating jobs and reducing costs for all consumers. 

NESO’s mandate extends across Scotland and the rest of Great Britain and we have expanded our presence across all communities to ensure we are representative of the people we serve. Earlier this year we opened our office in Glasgow and continue to grow our presence in Scotland.

We look forward to working across the Scottish Government, Local Authorities & communities and Scotland’s energy industry to deliver the next chapter of Britain’s energy system that not only addresses the challenge of climate change, but also unlocks the value that can be delivered from decarbonisation.

This article is sponsored by National Energy System Operator

www.neso.energy