As electricity systems decarbonise, the role of national planners and system operators is going through a major shift. Strategic planning is no longer just about keeping the lights on. It now involves reshaping the grid to support high levels of renewable generation, growing electrification, and new sources of flexibility. The challenge lies in aligning long-term goals with real-world system operations.

In this episode of Transmission, Ed sits down with Julian Leslie, Director of Strategic Energy Planning and Chief Engineer at the National Energy System Operator (NESO). The conversation explores how long-term energy planning is changing in Great Britain and the need for low-carbon dispatchable power, the role of storage and interconnectors, and the uncertainty around technologies like hydrogen and carbon capture.

We also unpack how NESO is managing competing pressures while working to design a future-proof system. If you want to understand how the UK grid is being reimagined for net zero, this one is worth a listen.

Key topics include:

How Great Britain’s system operator is evolving from National Grid ESO to NESO
Why strategic planning must now consider the whole energy system, not just electricity
The role of low-carbon dispatchable generation in a net zero future
How hydrogen, storage, and CCS are being factored into long-term plans
Why planning under uncertainty is so difficult, and how NESO is responding

About our guest

Julian Leslie is Director of Strategic Energy Planning and Chief Engineer at NESO, the new National Energy System Operator for Great Britain. With more than 30 years of experience at National Grid and the ESO, Julian has helped shape both real-time system operations and long-term planning. He now leads the team responsible for designing the future of Britain’s electricity system, ensuring it can meet climate targets while staying reliable and cost effective.

For more information on NESO's work, head to their website.

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Inside NESO: Designing the grid for net zero in the UK with Julian Leslie (Director of Strategic Energy Planning and Chief Engineer @ NESO)

Transmission