The Energy Networks Association (ENA) is the industry body funded by UK gas and electricity transmission and distribution licence holders. Its current Chief Executive is Lawrence Slade.

History

ENA was formed in October 2003 from the dissolution of the Electricity Association into three separate industry bodies:

• Energy Networks Association
• Association of Electricity Producers
• Energy Retail Association

Following the demerger of the Gas Distribution Network operations of British Gas Transco, they also joined ENA.

The ENA announced in April 2022 that it had a new 3-step action plan to moderninse the process of connecting assets to the UK power grid.^[1] In December 2022, Lawrence Slade was appointed as Chief Executive.^[2]

In March 2023, the ENA called on the UK government to develop an energy storage strategy by the end of the year.^[3]

Structure

ENA member companies are:

• National Grid
• National Grid ESO
• UK Power Networks
• Western Power Distribution
• Scottish and Southern Energy
• Northern Powergrid
• Scottish Power
• Electricity North West
• Northern Ireland Electricity
• GTC
• Cadent Gas
• SGN
• Northern Gas Networks
• Wales & West Utilities
• ESB Networks
• Northern Ireland Electricity
• Fulcrum
• Inexus

(list last updated April 2018).

Function

ENA's role is to provide a strategic focus for the energy networks sector by communicating key messages. All its work is underpinned by technical expertise—more than half the association's staff are specialist engineers. ENA's online catalogue ^[4] contains hundreds of reference documents relating to cables, contactor gear, electrical and mechanical composites, overhead transmissions and distribution lines, switchgear, engineering recommendations and other information. The association also records faults, defects and safety information on behalf of the networks industry.