National Grid Electricity Distribution, Net Zero Industry Wales and Celtic Freeport have launched an innovation programme to test new ways of making better use of the existing electricity network.
The project, which will also support industrial growth within the South Wales Industrial Cluster (SWIC), aims to assist industrial businesses in South Wales to access network capacity for growth, decarbonisation and attract new investment.
Organisations will sign a memorandum of understanding that sets out their shared commitment to the programme and how they will work together to take it forward.
It will build on work led through the Energy Networks Innovation Taskforce (ENIT), which has brought together industry, network operators and energy experts to identify practical solutions that can reduce network costs, improve customer outcomes and support economic growth.
In addition, the project will test practical approaches that could help industrial customers connect sooner, offering businesses confidence to invest by maximising existing capacity while longer-term infrastructure is delivered.
An earlier collaboration through the South Wales Industrial Dialogue saw more than 30 industrial organisations working with National Grid Electricity Distribution and Net Zero Industry Wales to identify practical solutions that could improve access to electricity and support economic growth. More than 25 potential solutions were identified, focused on earlier connections, greater flexibility and making better use of existing network capacity.
The work supports two of the Energy Networks Innovation Taskforce’s priority challenge areas: industrial and business connection acceleration and decentralised system balancing.
The first project will explore whether batteries controlled by the network operator can help manage supply and demand, creating additional capacity on the electricity network. If successful, this could help renewable energy projects and industrial customers connect sooner, while making better use of the existing grid. By helping to reduce connection barriers, the project aims to support investment that can contribute to jobs, supply chains and long-term industrial growth across the South Wales Industrial Cluster.
Roisin Quinn, President, National Grid Electricity Distribution, said:
“Our role is to make sure customers can access the electricity they need to grow, decarbonise and invest with confidence. That starts with listening and understanding what matters to them. This programme is a direct response to what industrial businesses in South Wales have told us they need, turning those conversations into action that unlocks investment, growth and opportunity across Wales.”
Ben Burggraaf, Chief Executive Officer, Net Zero Industry Wales, said:
“Wales has the potential to establish itself as a Clean Energy Transition hub and remain a cornerstone of the UK industrial base, building on its strength as a major energy producer and manufacturing area for high value goods and services for over a century. The Celtic Freeport is a key initiative to unlock this potential as part of the wider SWIC cluster plan. Electricity access is a bottleneck and accelerating access is critical in attracting (foreign) investment. This multi-year innovation programme will allow us to trial concepts to get more out of existing capacity, exploit synergies across projects and industrial customers, and maximise local generation.”
Cathy Hall, Interim Chief Executive, Celtic Freeport, said:
“The Celtic Freeport includes many of the key economic growth opportunity sites in South Wales. This collaboration takes advantage of the Freeport’s Investment Zone status to allow us to be first to test concepts that improve access to electricity and support economic growth, for the benefit of the wider South West Wales supply chain. As we move into the delivery phase for our projects, exploring innovative solutions to known power constraints will be crucial to realising the growth potential of the Freeport.”
Emily Spearman, Innovation Director, National Grid Electricity Distribution, said:
“Working closely with customers is central to how we innovate. Our partnership with Celtic Freeport and Net Zero Industry Wales gives us a unique opportunity to collaborate with industrial customers and partners, testing and demonstrating new approaches that can accelerate decarbonisation, unlock growth and help shape the future energy system.”
