Electricity explained
Great Britain has one of the world's oldest, most complex electricity systems. Every year, we move 300 Terawatt hours (TWh) of electricity around our system, which is like four trillion kettles boiling at the same time. Our world-class engineers are working to create the resilient, clean and affordable energy system of the future.
Discover how we’re balancing energy supply to meet demand, including information on power cuts, electricity pricing and how you can reduce your usage.
What is electricity?
Electricity is a form of energy. Its power measures in kilowatts and megawatts – it can be produced in many ways to power things to work and move.
At National Energy System Operator (NESO), we manage the flow, making sure the right amount of electricity reaches the places and people who need it – balancing supply and demand 24/7.
We don't generate electricity. Instead, we get the supply from various sources, which make up Great Britain’s generation mix. Once generated, it flows through the transmission network.
Think of it like a network of motorways and roads. High-voltage electricity travels up and down Great Britain on the transmission networks (motorways). At the same time, Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) provide the local cables (A roads) to take the electricity to our homes and businesses.
Electricity Networks (EN) Explainer
NESO's Electricity Networks Explainer package offers a comprehensive view of GB’s electricity transmission network, including how it is changing and why this change is needed.
The package’s two publications act as a guide, supporting people of all backgrounds and knowledge levels in understanding how decisions are made across the network. The publications also discuss the trade-offs between different technologies and the various organisations involved in the process.
