It’s time for designers to electrify

The UK’s journey to net zero by 2050 will not be won with traditional gas heating. Heating accounts for nearly 18% of the UK’s emissions, with targets aiming to phase out fossil fuel boilers by 2035.

That is why the UK government’s heat and buildings strategy pushes for 600,000 heat pump installations per year by 2028. However, meeting this goal demands swift action and can’t wait on outdated mindsets.

The future is electric, but with so many options – heat pumps, district heating, electric boilers – the market is anything but straightforward.

The default reliance on gas-based solutions is now costing projects in terms of both sustainability and profitability. However, selecting the right technology early is crucial to start your electrification journey on the right path.

A recent example in Scotland’s capital demonstrates this well. Edinburgh Park is working on a masterplan to become one of the UK’s largest all-electric property developments, and we are designing and operating all high-voltage electrical infrastructure across its extensive site.

With the all-electric approach, a massive shift in electricity demand requires significant early investment from the local distribution network operator (DNO) in designing the development-wide network. Fortunately, we secured more than the required electricity capacity and provided a ramping agreement for the developer, preventing what could have become a costly and disruptive setback.

The default reliance on gas-based solutions is now costing projects in terms of both sustainability and profitability.

Grid capacity is the thin ice beneath the electrification race. With Ofgem’s Targeted Charging Review initiative driving up costs for large-scale projects, securing grid access is no longer a nice-to-have but a survival tactic. The old approach of waiting until later stages is outdated and risky. Rising costs for materials, global supply chain issues, and a new wave of all-electric builds have made securing grid capacity a competitive race.

Traditional DNOs, unfortunately, are not equipped to handle the urgency of the electric transition. However, independent distribution network operators (IDNOs) offer developers a more agile, custom-fit approach to grid access. By working with an IDNO, developers can secure flexible capacity arrangements that match the project’s timeline and avoid the rigidity of standard grid agreements. This approach allows staged capacity and adapts to evolving needs, making it possible to align financial plans and timelines with real-world demands.

But even with the right partner, the road to grid capacity can be long and full of unknowns. Imagine if developers could see those roadblocks well before they reached them. What if, instead of waiting months for an answer on grid availability, they had the advanced insights to plan their grid connections strategically? Our Grid Capacity Insights platform was designed to do just that. The platform provides detailed data on grid capacity availability and potential constraints across the UK. It means designers, housebuilders and developers can gain a strategic advantage by pinpointing the best point of connection before submitting a formal application to the DNO. The idea is to transform a reactive process into a proactive one.

Electrifying heat offers clear advantages for decarbonising homes and businesses but requires careful planning and a strong grid infrastructure. Those who embrace electrification now, secure necessary capacity, and partner with innovative grid providers are future-proofing their projects.

This shift is vital for the industry’s growth. Electrification is not optional; those who act decisively will define a sustainable future. The challenge may be daunting, but the benefits for the industry and the planet are too significant to ignore.