Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has confirmed that the National Energy System Operator (NESO) will launch on 1st October.
This follows the government agreeing to acquire the Electricity System Operator (ESO) from National Grid, transferring the ESO into public ownership.
NESO is described as a “new independent organisation” responsible for planning Britain’s entire energy system, operating the electricity network and offering expert advice to the energy sector’s decision makers.
Miliband said:
The new National Energy System Operator has a huge role to play in delivering our mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower.
We need to move Britain off expensive, insecure fossil fuel markets, and onto clean, cheap homegrown power that we control. This is how we reduce bills in the long term, strengthen our energy independence and support skilled jobs across the country.
This is another step forward by a government in a hurry to deliver for the British people.
The government’s Mission Control – headed up by Chris Stark – has given NESO one of its first tasks – commissioning it to provide advice on how the UK will hit its goal to deliver clean power by 2030.
Paul Golby, Chair of NESO, said:
This is a pivotal moment as we head closer to the launch of the National Energy System Operator on 1st October. NESO will support a more integrated and coordinated strategy to meet the unprecedented challenges of climate change, ensuring security of energy supply and keeping bills as low as possible.
NESO brings together critical roles and responsibilities under one roof, creating an environment that is essential for success. We will have a broad strategic oversight of both the electricity and gas systems, managing system planning, market operations, and ensuring that our energy infrastructure is secure, resilient, flexible, and future-proof.
Fintan Slye, Chief Executive of NESO, said:
We are excited to take this bold step forward to help unify and optimise our national approach to energy and to deliver the clean, secure, decarbonised energy system that is affordable and fit for the future.
We are ready, and look forward to providing expert independent advice and working collaboratively across all parts of the energy sector, with government, the regulator and within our communities across Great Britain.
