Britain must speed up its clean energy rollout and help households switch to low-carbon tech if it wants to hit net zero by 2050 in a way that’s affordable and secure.
So says the National Energy System Operator (NESO) in its first Future Energy Scenarios 2025 report.
NESO says electricity demand could triple by mid-century, soaring from 290 TWh to as much as 797 TWh as power becomes the backbone of a clean energy system.
But it also says better energy efficiency in buildings and appliances could slash that by up to 20%, while demand flexibility could halve peak usage.
Fintan Slye, Chief Executive of NESO, said:
”Over the past year, we have run the electricity system at 95% zero-carbon for the first time and phased out coal entirely from our energy system. But this isn’t enough. We need to go further and faster.”
The report sets out four key waves to net zero.
Britain is now in wave two – scaling up markets and low-carbon tech this decade. Only after this will the third and fourth waves, focused on growth and completion, become possible.
Slye added: “The choices made today will shape the success of each wave of Britain’s transition. That means speeding up the adoption of energy efficiency measures, empowering households and businesses to make informed choices on things like demand flexibility, purchasing an electric car and switching to low-carbon heating.”
NESO outlines three net zero pathways with different mixes of electrification, hydrogen, bioenergy and consumer behaviour.
But all rely on urgent action across the economy – from homes to heavy industry.
By 2040, emissions could be cut by three quarters to 100 MtCO2e a year if the right infrastructure is in place.
