National Grid : keeping the lights on and gas flowing

National Grid - keeping the lights on and gas flowing

30 Mar 2020

As an owner and operator of critical national infrastructure, we at National Grid know that millions of people are relying on us, now more than ever, to keep the lights on and the gas flowing. We have hundreds of engineers working hard to ensure energy can be supplied safely and efficiently to hospitals, schools, businesses and homes across the country.

That's why, in the current environment, many roles across our business have been designated as 'key worker' roles by the government. When you flick on the lights later, turn on the TV, or prepare dinner, it's the jobs that our people are carrying out today and every day that make that happen.

At a time when everyone is being asked to stay at home wherever possible, we understand that it can be unnerving to see others going about their daily work, but please be assured that our people are out there working to ensure our NHS can care for the sick, businesses and schools can continue to operate, and you can continue going about your home life in these unusual circumstances. All our people who need to continue working on site and in the community are doing so under stringent health and safety measures to protect not just themselves but also the communities in which they operate.

We are very grateful to our people who are continuing to go out to work every day to keep the energy networks running at such a critical time for our country.

You can read more about the role of the energy industry during the current crisis from Ofgem here and from the Energy Networks Association here.

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Notes for editors

Notes to Editors:
National Grid is pivotal to the energy systems in the UK and the north eastern United States. We aim to serve customers well and efficiently, supporting the communities in which we operate and making possible the energy systems of the future.

National Grid in the UK:

• We own and operate the electricity transmission network in England and Wales, with day-to-day responsibility for balancing supply and demand. We also operate, but do not own, the Scottish networks. Our networks comprise approximately 7,200 kilometres (4,474 miles) of overhead line, 1,500 kilometres (932 miles) of underground cable and 342 substations.
• We own and operate the gas National Transmission System in Great Britain, with day-to-day responsibility for balancing supply and demand. Our network comprises approximately 7,660 kilometres (4,760 miles) of high-pressure pipe and 618 above-ground installations.
• As Great Britain's System Operator (SO) we make sure gas and electricity is transported safely and efficiently from where it is produced to where it is consumed. From April 2019, Electricity System Operator (ESO) is a new standalone business within National Grid, legally separate from all other parts of the National Grid Group. This will provide the right environment to deliver a balanced and impartial ESO that can realise real benefits for consumers as we transition to a more decentralised, decarbonised electricity system.

• Other UK activities mainly relate to businesses operating in competitive markets outside of our core regulated businesses; including interconnectors, gas metering activities and a liquefied natural gas (LNG) importation terminal - all of which are now part of National Grid Ventures. National Grid Property is responsible for the management, clean-up and disposal of surplus sites in the UK. Most of these are former gas works.

Find out more about the energy challenge and how National Grid is helping find solutions to some of the challenges we face at https://www.nationalgrid.com/group/news

National Grid undertakes no obligation to update any of the information contained in this release, which speaks only as at the date of this release, unless required by law or regulation.