The National Grid Electricity System Operator still uses fax machines and has failed to file critical risk reports to Ofgem, as reported by This is Money. This is not a quaint relic, it is a warning sign for every household planning a heat pump, solar array, or insulation upgrade.
What the report reveals about grid readiness
The report, compiled by the Energy Systems Catapult, found that National Grid ESO still communicates via fax machines and has not submitted mandatory risk assessments to Ofgem for over a year. The ESO is the body that balances electricity supply and demand second-by-second. When it relies on 1980s technology, the risk of operational failures rises. Ofgem has already flagged concerns about the ESO’s cyber security and data management. For homeowners, this means the grid that your new heat pump or EV charger will plug into is less resilient than it should be.
How this hits your energy bill and EPC plans
Every household pays for grid inefficiency through standing charges. Ofgem data shows that network costs account for roughly 25% of a typical electricity bill, about £180 a year for a 3-bed semi using 3,200 kWh. If the ESO fails to file risk reports, Ofgem cannot properly assess whether network investment is adequate. Under-investment leads to more frequent constraints, which push up balancing costs. Those costs land directly on your bill. Meanwhile, homeowners seeking to improve their EPC rating by installing a heat pump need a grid connection that can handle the extra load. Delays in grid upgrades, already common in some regions, could become worse if the ESO is not on top of its planning.
What this misses, the real cost to your upgrade timeline
But the fax machine story is a symptom, not the disease. The deeper issue is that the ESO’s culture of outdated processes slows down the entire energy transition. The government wants 600,000 heat pump installations per year by 2028. Yet grid connection queues for low-carbon technologies already stretch to several years in some areas. If the national operator cannot file a risk report on time, can it process your heat pump connection efficiently? Homeowners should assume delays and plan accordingly. The Energy Saving Trust recommends allowing 12–18 months from initial enquiry to installation for a heat pump, but that timeline assumes a functioning grid operator. Adding a battery storage system alongside solar panels can reduce your reliance on peak grid demand and protect you from potential connection delays.
What you can do now
Check your local Distribution Network Operator’s connection times for low-carbon technologies. Ofgem publishes regional performance data. If you are planning a heat pump, contact your DNO early to understand any upgrade requirements. Consider installing solar-plus-storage now: battery costs have fallen by 60% since 2020, and a typical 5 kWh battery costs around £4,500 installed. It will let you store cheap off-peak electricity and run your heat pump during expensive peak hours. The ESO’s fax machine problem is not your problem, but its consequences for grid capacity and costs are. Act before the next risk report is due.
Frequently Asked Questions
Indirectly, yes. If the grid operator fails to file risk reports, Ofgem cannot properly oversee network investment. Under-investment leads to higher balancing costs, which are passed to households through standing charges, typically £180 a year for a typical 3-bed semi.
No, but you should plan for potential grid connection delays. Contact your Distribution Network Operator early to check connection times. Adding battery storage alongside solar panels can reduce your reliance on peak grid demand and give you more control over your energy costs.
