Why is Energy Demand Rising?
A key driver of rising electricity demand is the gradual move away from gas‑based systems within industrial base‑builds. Jack explains how compliance with Part L has shifted heating and hot water provision towards fully electrified solutions, with electric heating, VRF systems and electric hot water now commonplace across new developments.
Alongside this, implementing EV charging infrastructure has rapidly changed from an optional extra to an expected deliverable. Many schemes now include active EV chargers across a starting proportion of parking spaces, with passive provision built-in to the remaining spaces for future expansion. Compared to developments delivered a decade ago, the cumulative impact of these changes on power demand is significant.
Network Capacity and Grid Constraints
From a utilities perspective, Mat outlines how demand from industrial, residential and commercial developments is stacking up against a constrained electricity network. Greater demand, combined with infrastructure lead‑in times and uncertainty around funding, is resulting in longer timescales, higher costs and less certainty for large connections.
Recent and ongoing connection reform has tried to improve efficiency in the system, but in practice they have introduced further unpredictability around queue position, delivery and liability for reinforcement works, challenges that are disproportionately effecting large demand connections.
