- Business
- National Grid plc (NG.L) owns and operates electricity and gas transmission and distribution networks principally in the United Kingdom and the Northeastern United States. The company provides high-voltage electricity transmission in England and Wales through National Grid Electricity Transmission; electricity distribution to nearly 8 million customers in the East and West Midlands, South West England, and Wales via National Grid Electricity Distribution (formerly Western Power Distribution); electricity transmission across upstate New York, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont; electricity distribution in upstate New York and Massachusetts; and gas distribution networks serving over 20 million customers across New York, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. National Grid Ventures develops and invests in large-scale energy projects and technologies to support the transition to clean energy, while National Grid Partners functions as a corporate venture capital arm investing in energy innovation startups.
Headquartered in London, England, National Grid traces its origins to the establishment of the UK's National Grid in 1935 and was formally incorporated as National Grid Company plc in 1990 following the privatization of the Central Electricity Generating Board. The company operates across two primary segments: UK Electricity Transmission and Distribution, and US Electricity and Gas, targeting residential, commercial, and industrial customers in these regions with a focus on reliable energy delivery, grid resilience, and net-zero emissions goals.
Recent strategic developments include the completion of a £9 billion Great Grid Partnership framework in fiscal year 2025 with seven supply chain partners for onshore transmission projects; agreements for over $3 billion in capital works across New England over five years; and divestment of National Grid Renewables alongside an agreement to sell Grain LNG, streamlining operations ahead of schedule. National Grid announced a five-year investment plan totaling around £60 billion across the UK and Northeast US to expand networks for electrification and decarbonization, with FY2025 capital investment reaching £9,847 million, up 20% from the prior year. In half-year results to September 2025, the company reported a 17% rise in operating profit, achieved £100 million in synergies from the Western Power Distribution acquisition six months early, and submitted a business plan for up to £35 billion in totex spending through March 2031 to double national power flow capacity.