Last Wednesday, BusinessLDN hosted an expert member roundtable with UK Power Networks (UKPN) to help shape the early development of the UKPN business plan for the upcoming ED3 price review period (2028–2033), including the measures needed to deliver Clean Power 2030 and meet growing demand on the electricity distribution network. The meeting was chaired by Temi Afolabi, Strategy and Operations Director at the Nichols Group, and covered connections reform and UKPN’s progress against scope three environmental commitments in two halves.
The session underscored that, despite significant progress being made by electricity distribution market leaders like UKPN, London’s shift to a low‑carbon, fully electrified future is being slowed by high costs, uncertainty, and an energy system that isn’t yet designed for the speed of change net zero requires. Electricity and electricity-based technologies are capital-intensive, and with households and businesses continuing to face financial and cost-of-living pressures, the case for investing in heat pumps, electric vehicles, or cleaner construction methods only stacks up when long‑term savings feel reliable, and policy stays steady. That confidence needs to be stronger – and the slow uptake by both consumers and supply chains of technologies that should already be standard shows it.
The need to accelerate progress naturally brings the focus onto how new developments connect to the grid. Allowing projects to connect earlier at lower capacity – and increase that capacity in phases over time – is helping to ease long delays and make far better use of the system already in place. More flexible ways of managing demand were also highlighted as important for better utilising a network that is increasingly under strain, particularly during peak demand periods. While there was recognition that the cost of building a net-zero-ready system will be shared to some extent, there was also a clear desire to do so in a way that feels fair, transparent, and doesn’t push bills higher for those least able to absorb them.
These practical challenges are mirrored in the sustainability space, where progress is often held back by inconsistent requirements. When different operators impose different requirements on supply chains, it becomes harder for businesses to plan ahead, invest in the right solutions, and cut carbon at the pace required. Bringing those expectations into better alignment would give suppliers clearer direction and help create more room for innovation and competition. There was a strong sense that clearer reporting and greater transparency could help accelerate progress, even if voluntary efforts alone may not be enough to deliver the scale of change needed.
The roll-out of smart meters already shows what’s possible when people have clearer information in front of them. These tools have helped reduce energy use and given a better picture of when and how power is consumed. Expanding this approach and better utilising data for flexibility solutions could help keep the system stable as electrification gathers pace.
Ultimately, the key takeaway from last week’s discussion was that net zero isn’t just a concept – it’s about confidence, fairness, and smarter design. London needs pricing that supports cleaner choices, a more predictable environment for investment, and a system that makes the most of the capacity it already has. ED3 is a chance to reset how the city powers its future and drives business growth: cleaner, more affordable, and more resilient.