UKPN: DNOs ‘will be blamed for delaying net-zero if we don’t move fast enough’

Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) will be accused of slowing the progress of decarbonisation if their own plans for future-proofing networks are not already well advanced.

This is the view of UK Power Networks’ (UKPN) director of network operations, Patrick Clarke, who said DNOs cannot wait around for policies to be implemented on the path to net zero.

He told the Street Works UK conference this week that DNOs are at the forefront of preparations for a 2050 strategy, with key areas of focus around electric vehicle charging networks, energy storage and the decarbonisation of heat.

If policy eventually overtakes progress and DNOs are seen as delaying the decarbonisation programme, there will be a backlash, Clarke insisted.

He said: “We as DNOs are leading the low-carbon transition. (We are) facilitating low-carbon generation and storage connections. If we said that was too difficult, that we need more time, people would blame us for stopping the transition to a low-carbon economy.”

Clarke pointed to the work already undertaken by UKPN, which expects to double its capacity of distributed generation, from its current level of 9.4GW from over 170,000 distribution connected generators, by 2028. The group wants up to 4GW of electricity storage by the same year, with 2.6GW of offers already accepted. On electric vehicles, UKPN currently operates around 30,000 charge points across its network, with 74,000 plug-in EVs identified in its footprint. UKPN expects three million EVs by 2028.

On decarbonisation of heat, he pointed to 11,000 renewable heat incentive installs on the network but said new policy mechanisms were needed to stimulate the widespread take-up of greener heating methods.

Discussing street works specifically, Clarke told the conference in Leicester that he was adamant this would be a key element of reaching net zero.

He said: “In 50 years there will still be people out there digging up roads because the assets are in the ground, for the most part. Some people will say that’s not true but I don’t see any evidence that we won’t still be doing that in 50 years’ time.”

He pointed out that UKPN currently carries out more than 80,000 excavations per year, with an average duration of 3.7 days.

Clarke went on to discuss several innovations UKPN is trialling relating to street works. These include a smart barrier system with sensors alerting the company when they are shaking or have fallen. The technology is currently being tested with Transport for London.

Meanwhile, UKPN is also trialling the Autogreen traffic light system in Hertfordshire, Essex and Milton Keynes, which utilises advanced adaptive local control for two-way traffic management. Trials so far have shown it improves traffic flow by up to 50 per cent.

Finally, Clarke said the company was also listening to and acting on suggestions from within its workforce. To that end, UKPN is seeking to eradicate plastic from the organisation. It is replacing the plastic bottles given to workforces with refillable containers and using the surplus plastic to convert into asphalt.

He said: “This is really exciting because it has come from our staff. They told us that we should be taking a lead on this and demonstrating that we are doing our bit.”