Utilities for Net Zero Alliance outlines steps to boost grid supply chains.
During London Climate Action Week (June 20‑28), the alliance released a joint statement promising to harmonise fragmented equipment standards and provide greater demand visibility. Members of the Utilities for Net Zero Alliance, representing some of the world’s largest utilities, say they will need close to 90,000 km of transmission cable and more than 270 high‑voltage transformers by 2030. The cable requirement would be enough to circle the Earth more than twice.
Supply chain bottlenecks and demand projections
Current manufacturing capacity falls far short of those targets. Transformer waiting times can now exceed three years, underscoring the pressure on suppliers. Industry leaders stress that addressing manufacturing bottlenecks and raw‑material constraints will be critical to the pace and cost of grid expansion.
The alliance points to the need for long‑term demand visibility, arguing that clearer forecasts give supply‑chain partners the certainty to invest in new capacity and technical innovation. Without coordinated action, the gap between required infrastructure and available production could widen, slowing the transition to clean power.
Co‑leadership drives collaborative action
UNEZA is co‑led by UK utility SSE and Abu Dhabi‑based TAQA, and works in partnership with the Global Clean Power Alliance, founded and led by the UK Government. The body operates under the guidance of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the UN Climate Change High‑Level Champions, ensuring a focused approach to a sustainable energy future.
“This call from the Utilities for Net Zero Alliance shows that, by working with industry, governments can stop tying themselves in knots and start delivering the infrastructure needed to meet global demand – enough cable to wrap around the Earth more than twice.”
— Katie White, UK Climate Minister
“As a utility investing in the next generation of electricity networks, TAQA recognises that delivering the energy transition at the pace the world requires depends not only on investment, but on our ability to strengthen and modernise global supply chains.”
— Khalifa Al Mheiri, Chief Strategy & Investment Officer, TAQA Transmission
By aligning standards, improving procurement models and sharing demand data, the alliance aims to give suppliers greater certainty and help utilities deliver critical infrastructure faster, more efficiently and at lower cost. Collaboration across the value chain is presented as essential for building resilient electricity systems that support long‑term energy security and net‑zero ambitions.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Utilities for Net Zero Alliance?
The Utilities for Net Zero Alliance is a coalition of some of the world’s largest utilities, led by UK utility SSE and Abu Dhabi-based TAQA, that aims to harmonise equipment standards and improve demand visibility to accelerate grid expansion for the net-zero transition.
How many kilometres of transmission cable are required by 2030?
Members of the alliance estimate that close to 90,000 km of transmission cable will be needed by 2030, enough to circle the Earth more than twice.
Why are high-voltage transformers taking so long to deliver?
Transformer waiting times can now exceed three years, reflecting manufacturing bottlenecks and raw-material constraints that pressure suppliers and slow grid expansion.
What role does TAQA play in the Utilities for Net Zero Alliance?
TAQA, based in Abu Dhabi, co-leads the alliance with UK utility SSE and works with the Global Clean Power Alliance to strengthen supply chains and support the UAE’s clean-energy transition.
How will the alliance improve demand visibility?
By providing clearer long-term forecasts, the alliance gives supply-chain partners certainty to invest in new capacity and technical innovation, helping to close the gap between required infrastructure and production.
