Electricity network innovation could provide £13.8bn in savings and revenue, according to new research from Energy Networks Association (ENA).
The announcement comes on the second day of ENA’s Energy Innovation Summit, this year held in Glasgow, for which Transport + Energy is a media partner.
ENA’s Annual Innovation Summary Report tracks the impact of innovation across Great Britain’s electricity networks. The figure represents the ‘real-world benefits’ calculated across 119 innovation projects launched from April 2024 to March 2025.
The projects include work to reduce the need to build expensive new infrastructure and the number of network interruptions. Every year, networks commit millions of pounds through key funding mechanisms like the Network Innovation Allowance (NIA) and the Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF), to help build the energy system of the future and deliver clean power by 2030.
Examples of innovation include AI-driven platforms to detect and respond to cyber threats. For example, Scottish Power Energy Network’s Cyber-RIAST and Cyber-SAFEN projects sets out to enhance the resilience of digital substations. In addition, National Grid Electricity Distribution engineers will be able to detect issues with underground cables before they result in a power cut.
Its LV Visibility project will also see 10,000 low voltage monitors fitted to detect cables that are in need of immediate replacement or repair, saving UK energy consumers an estimated £10.3m by 2040. At the same time, UK Power Networks is redefining how heat and power work together.
The network operator’s Heatropolis project is finding smarter ways to heat homes and buildings using clean energy by using real-time data to balance heat and electricity demand. It aims to lower costs, reduce pressure on the grid, and make low-carbon heating easier to roll out.
The report builds on the individual Network Summary Reports to present an aggregated view of the progress made in innovation over the past year.
All electricity networks have contributed to the summary report, giving a cohesive overview of common innovation themes and achievements through collaboration over the past year.
Dan Clarke, Head of Innovation at ENA, said:
“Innovation is delivering real, measurable value for customers and the energy system. The £13.8 billion in savings and revenue shows how forward-thinking projects, like AI-driven cyber resilience and advanced cable monitoring, are helping us build a smarter, more secure and sustainable electricity network at the best value to energy customers.
“At the Summit we’ve heard updates from dozens of projects that are delivering tangible savings and benefits, as we discuss making Clean Power 2030 a reality.
“These results demonstrate the power of collaboration and the value of investment in innovation that enables the country’s greater use of clean, secure and affordable power.”
Image courtesy of ENA
