Burnham’s electricity grid idea is interesting – but it’s not ‘public control’
News Source
•Tue, 29 Sep 2026 18:01:38 GMT
📰 What Happened
A new public body called Great British Grid will act as a challenger to the private firms that own and run the UK electricity grid. The plan was announced by Andy Burnham and the energy department.
Despite talk of public control, the government is not taking over any assets. National Grid and SSE share prices barely moved. The new body will mainly put together competing bids for future power projects.
🔍 The Backstory
The old system often handed new projects to National Grid automatically. Under the new plan, it may have to beat offers from rival groups to build cables and pylons, for example to bring offshore wind power from East Anglia to London.
Columnist Nils Pratley says the real value of the new body is the data it can give the regulator. Better information could help drive down costs, which might lower energy bills over time.
🎯 Why It Matters
Energy bills are a big worry for households. If the new body creates real competition, it could mean lower costs for the power that heats homes and runs businesses.
A new public body called Great British Grid will act as a challenger to the private firms that own and run the UK electricity grid. The plan was announced by Andy Burnham and the energy department.
Despite talk of public control, the government is not taking over any assets. National Grid and SSE share prices barely moved. The new body will mainly put together competing bids for future power projects.
The old system often handed new projects to National Grid automatically. Under the new plan, it may have to beat offers from rival groups to build cables and pylons, for example to bring offshore wind power from East Anglia to London.
Columnist Nils Pratley says the real value of the new body is the data it can give the regulator. Better information could help drive down costs, which might lower energy bills over time.
Energy bills are a big worry for households. If the new body creates real competition, it could mean lower costs for the power that heats homes and runs businesses.