Northern Powergrid

Does the core business genuinely avoid or reduce emissions, or build climate resilience? Share of revenue that is actually 'green'. Fossil-dependent models score low.

Northern Powergrid's core function — expanding and modernising the distribution network as a DSO — is essential infrastructure for renewable energy connection and electrification of heat and transport, giving it genuine but indirect climate impact; it does not directly cut emissions but enables others to do so at scale.

Credible, science-based targets (SBTi), a real net-zero plan with progress to date, and CDP disclosure — not just a dated press release.

Northern Powergrid references a science-based target for own Scope 1 and 2 emissions in its FY2024 accounts, but the target is not listed as validated on the SBTi public dashboard; current emissions are confirmed to be running slightly above that target due to increased SF6 losses; Scope 3 supply chain measurement was only initiated via the Supply Chain Sustainability School carbon calculator in 2025; no public CDP disclosure score for the operating entity was found.

Operational footprint, labour and social practices, and governance quality across the company's own operations and supply chain.

The company has an Independent Stakeholder Group (ISG) providing annual oversight of RIIO-ED2 performance commitments, publishes TCFD-aligned disclosures and annual Data Assurance Reports to Ofgem, is investing in fleet electrification and SF6-free technology, and operates a youth insight panel; however, SF6 losses increased in FY2024 and PCB remediation of ~5,900 pole-mounted transformers remains an ongoing environmental liability.

Quality of disclosure, independent third-party verification, and how much hard data backs the company's claims.

Northern Powergrid publishes TCFD-aligned group accounts, annual Ofgem regulatory data assurance reports, open data portals, and detailed Distributed Future Energy Scenarios; however, no independently verified CDP climate score was found for the operating entity, Scope 3 data coverage is only just being developed, and BHE parent-level emissions reporting has been noted to contain gaps for Northern Powergrid's purchased electricity.

Controversies, litigation, pollution, fossil-fuel lobbying, conflict-zone involvement and governance scandals. Higher means cleaner.

Northern Powergrid successfully appealed its RIIO-ED2 price control allocation to the CMA in 2023, seeking ~£171m in additional revenue — with Citizens Advice intervening and arguing it would result in windfall gains for the company at consumer expense; parent Berkshire Hathaway Energy was the subject of a 2025 Reuters investigation for operating some of the most polluting coal-fired power plants in the US, creating reputational overhang; no direct pollution enforcement actions or litigation against Northern Powergrid's operating entity were found.