Northern Powergrid (Northeast) plc
Strategic Report for the Year Ended 31 December 2024 (continued)
Business Plan commitment
: To minimise carbon emissions, pollution and waste and, where possible, seek to enhance the
local environments in which we operate.
Performance during the year
: The Company remains committed to using natural resources wisely and protecting the
environment for the benefit of future generations. This commitment is set out in the Environmental RESPECT
(Responsibility, Efficiency, Stewardship, Performance, Evaluation, Communication and Training) Policy, which is
delivered via the Environmental Action Plan and its twelve impact areas (including scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions, SF6 losses,
visual amenity, biodiversity and waste).
The Company’s overall business carbon footprint, scope 1 and 2 emissions (excluding losses) increased to 5,179 tonnes
during the year as a result of increased SF6 losses and other emissions. Whilst the Company and its affiliate reduced their
scope 1 and 2 emissions during ED1 and into the ED2 period, the current rate is slightly above the science-based target set
to achieve net zero, indicating that further action is required to reduce emissions.
Improvement initiatives include reducing emissions from the operational fleet by replacing diesel vehicles with Ultra Low
and Zero Emission Vehicles, exploring new technologies such as hydrogen fuel cells, using alternative, renewable fuels,
and enhancing energy efficiency by upgrading facilities at operational sites.
In relation to scope 3 emissions, the Company is working in partnership with the Supply Chain Sustainability School and
has adopted their carbon calculator to measure supply chain scope 3 emissions, thereby providing the basis to develop a
reduction strategy during 2025. In addition, the Company continues to work with other DNOs to ensure expertise and
learnings and a consistent methodology are shared.
The volume of SF6 losses (21.4kg) increased year-on-year due to a number of significant leaks. In response, the Company
continues its operational routines, responses to leaks and due to the work with the DNOs via the Energy Networks
Association (“ENA”), to share best practice and trial innovative new SF6-free technologies.
During the year, the total amount of fluid loss from the Network was 6,108 litres, which was significantly favourable to the
target of 10,078 litres. To continue to minimise losses, the Company is committed to replacing 3,400km of cable during
the ED2 period, and will pursue the use of perfluorocarbon tracer (to locate leaks) and self-healing technology.
To adhere to the requirement to identify and remove or remediate non-compliant equipment which may contain
Polychlorinated biphenyls (“PCBs”) by 31 December 2025, the Company and its affiliate have worked in collaboration
with the Environment Agency and ENA to develop a statistical model to determine which pole mounted transformers are
non-compliant. The process will be a priority throughout 2025, as approximately 5,900 transformers may be replaced.
In respect of the Company’s wider environmental impact, plans have been developed to achieve zero waste to landfill by
2035 and to divert 90% of waste from all of the Company’s operations by 2028. The Company’s Network operations are
the largest source of waste generation, with waste arising from excavations and other operations representing 97% of all of
the waste generated in 2024. Steps taken to enhance performance in this area include the recycling of materials, with the
Company planning to recycle and reuse 85% of total materials by 2028 including the increased volume produced as a
result of delivering Network investment plans and decarbonisation objectives.
Issues relating to the assessment and classification (as hazardous or non-hazardous) of material arising from unplanned
utility excavations, prior to transport from site and disposal, pose a significant challenge to the Company’s objective to
reduce waste to landfill. The utilities industry is currently working with Streetworks UK and the Environment Agency to
develop and implement a new industry-wide risk-based approach to managing such waste to combat these issues.
From a supply chain perspective, the Company will continue to work with suppliers to reduce packaging and ensure
environmentally friendly alternatives are used where possible. In support, an embodied carbon model will be used to aid
investment decisions including the sourcing of raw materials. At office locations, the use of waste segregation facilities
will be increased, and office supplies will wherever possible be low carbon, plastic free and fully recyclable or reusable.
The impact of the Company’s operations is mitigated where possible through a range of biodiversity, natural capital and
visual amenity programmes. This includes fulfilling the duty to seek to enhance designated areas such as National Parks,
as well as improving biodiversity at 200 sites throughout the ED2 period.
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