London – October 15, 2026 -- National Grid has asked Ofgem to approve 19 electricity transmission projects worth around £4.5 billion across England and Wales, filed under the RIIO-T3 load re-opener process.
Package combines £2.3bn from May with £2.2bn filed in October
The £4.5 billion total comprises £2.3 billion across six projects already submitted in the May re-opener, which are progressing through Ofgem's assessment. A further £2.2 billion is proposed in the October submission. Re-opener figures are in 2023/24 prices, in line with Ofgem's guidance for RIIO-T3 price control submissions.
Proposals form part of a £31bn investment plan for 2026-2031
Subject to approval, the projects are part of National Grid's plans to invest around £31 billion in the electricity transmission network in England and Wales between 2026 and 2031. The company says the investment would increase network capacity, maintain system resilience and prepare the grid for rising clean power generation and demand, including from new industries and technologies.
National Grid says the projects emerged from detailed planning and engineering assessments intended to identify the most appropriate solutions and keep long-term consumer costs down.
Re-openers cover investments not ready for assessment at price control
Under the RIIO-T3 framework, re-openers let transmission owners seek regulatory approval and funding for investments that were not sufficiently developed for Ofgem to assess when the price control was agreed. Ofgem will assess the submissions and decide whether to approve each one.
Rob Salter-Church, regulation director at National Grid Electricity Transmission, said the network must develop ahead of demand and that the company will work closely with Ofgem through the assessment process.
May applications remain under Ofgem's draft determinations consultation
National Grid continues to engage with Ofgem on the May re-opener applications through the regulator's draft determinations consultation.