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Dynamic line rating to expand capacity of existing UK power lines
11/5/2026
News
National Grid plans to roll out new monitoring technology across key electricity transmission routes in England and Wales, increasing the capacity of existing power lines and potentially saving consumers up to £50mn.
Under a five-year contract, the company will install dynamic line rating (DLR) technology on 585 km of north-to-south transmission lines.
Transmission lines are typically operated using fixed ratings based on conservative weather assumptions. DLR uses sensors to monitor line conditions and weather in real time, allowing operators to adjust capacity limits dynamically.
According to National Grid, this could increase capacity by around 8% on average, reducing the need for constraint payments, where generators are paid to stop generating to avoid overloading the electricity network.
The installations will take place in the North East (345 km of overhead lines), as well as the Humber region and East Anglia (240 km combined). Further deployments are planned over the five-year period.
In total, the rollout will bring the technology to 39 circuits covering over 900 km of National Grid’s transmission network, mainly along north-to-south routes.
The project will be delivered in partnership with grid tech companies LineVision, Ampacimon and Heimdall Power. Most installations are expected to be completed by 2028.
National Grid said it plans to use drones to mount sensors on live power lines to avoid the need for planned outages on key transmission routes.
