Dispatches from the grid frontline: How is the UK’s grid expansion impacting communities?

Dispatches from the grid frontline: How is the UK’s grid expansion impacting communities?

From Local Zero by Strathclyde Institute for Sustainable Communities

June 23, 2026 · 51 min

About this episode

The episode explores the impact of the UK's electricity grid expansion on local communities and the challenges and opportunities it presents.

As renewable electricity generation grows and more sectors electrify, the UK needs a bigger and stronger electricity network to transport clean power where it is needed. But what does this unprecedented expansion mean for the communities hosting new grid infrastructure? In this episode, Matt Hannon and Jen Roberts explore the experiences of people living on the frontline of the UK's electricity grid expansion. How are communities being affected by the construction and disruption associated with new transmission infrastructure? And what challenges and opportunities does this present for the electricity network companies responsible for delivering it? To discuss these questions, they are joined by Clare Harris , Scotland Lead for the Local Storytelling Exchange , which shines a spotlight on local experiences of the green transition, and David Murray , former Executive Director of Sustainability First , an independent charity and think tank focused on improving environmental, social and economic wellbeing across UK utilities. Together, they explore how the UK's grid expansion can support both the transition to net zero and positive outcomes for the communities at its heart. Links…

People in this episode

Hosts: Matt Hannon, Jen Roberts

Guests: Clare Harris, David Murray

Topics covered

Keywords

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Local Storytelling Exchange, Sustainability First, National Grid

Places: UK, Scotland

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