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Developing a low-carbon network

Our network has been historically designed on the basis that electricity flows in one direction - from large-scale generation to consumers - and not according to demand.

To benefit our low-carbon customers, we are developing innovative new contracts to give financial benefits to customers in certain locations if demand is managed to suit our network.

We can also help deliver carbon reductions in heating and transport through distributing electricity for heat pumps and the recharging of electric vehicles.

Smart grid

‘Smart grid’ technologies enable us to intelligently manage our network and match supply with demand in the best way possible.

Newer low-carbon electricity generation, such as wind and solar power, often connects directly to our network rather than to the National Grid transmission network which is where larger-scale generation connects. This means that our network needs to adapt to these changes.

Network changes

We are continually taking steps to reduce energy usage and encourage our customers to use electricity more efficiently.

Our network will change to help deliver:

  • the introduction of significant quantities of local generation
  • new patterns of demand
  • changing customer expectations

See our Research and Trials pages for further information on how we are preparing for the future.

See Connections to connect electricity demand and generation to our network.

If you wish to discuss an innovative idea you have relating to our development of a low carbon network then please contact

Steve Cox, Head of Future Networks
or Simon Brooke, Low Carbon Projects Manager
via futurenetworks@enwl.co.uk

Are you a priority customer?

We appreciate that some customers have additional requirements and may have circumstances where a priority service is needed for a variety of reasons.

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Knowledge centre

Find answers to questions about Electricity North West, including details on electricity connections, power cuts and general enquiries

Check out frequently asked questions and our user guides.

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22/02/12: Cables ‘going underground’ in Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

Electricity poles are to be taken down in Arnside and Silverdale AONB over the next three months as part of a £137,000 project to restore the landscape to its original beauty.

Electricity North West will remove six overhead poles and 500m of 11kV electricity cable that runs adjacent to Park Road between Milnthorpe and Arnside, and replace it with new underground equipment.

Work is due to start at the end of February when engineers will drill under the bed of the River Bela and run new underground cable beneath it.

The work is part of the company’s five-year, £5.4m project to move the most visually-intrusive electricity lines underground within the North West’s National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Electricity North West, which operates the region’s power network, has worked with the Arnside and Silverdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty to identify areas that would most benefit from having their original landscape restored. It was decided to remove the poles in Milnthorpe in order to restore views from the main access road into the area.

Jonathan Booth, asset planning manager for Electricity North West, said: “We are carrying out a number of projects to replace equipment that impacts on the views of special landscapes. The work in Arnside and Silverdale requires great skill to install the new cable beneath the River Bela and our engineers are looking forward to getting started on the work.”

David Askew, of the Arnside and Silverdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, said: “The electricity poles have been a necessary blot on the landscape for some time so it is great that Electricity North West is starting work to replace them. The poles impede views from the main road into what is a very special environment, across the Kent Estuary to Whitbarrow and the Lake District and we’re sure residents and tourists will be delighted to see the original landscapes restored.”

The project is expected to take three months to complete and Electricity North West is advising there should be no disruption to motorists in the area during the work.

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