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National Grid: Operating Costs

Asked by James McMurdockIndependentDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled Answered 28 May 2026UIN 3076

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what estimate he has made of the total system costs of maintaining grid stability over the last five years for which data is available.

Answered by Michael Shanks

Maintaining the stability and operability of Great Britain’s electricity system is the responsibility of the independent National Energy System Operator (NESO) working with electricity network companies through regulated market arrangements.

Under its Electricity System Operator Licence, NESO is required to coordinate and operate the national electricity transmission system in an efficient and economical manner, and Ofgem regulates NESO’s performance and expenditure to ensure value for money for consumers.

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