The INA Growth Summit 2025 brought together leaders from across the utilities, energy, housing and infrastructure sectors and one message came through clearly: independent networks are now central to the UK’s growth, resilience and net zero ambitions.
Here are the five biggest takeaways from the day.
Independent networks have moved from “challenger” to critical partner
For years, independent networks were seen as a niche alternative to traditional monopoly operators. That impression hasn’t matched reality for a long while, with independents connecting over 80% of new homes to the energy grid, and at this year’s Summit, that reality was set out clearly once again.
Speakers and delegates consistently described independent network operators as core delivery partners for housing, regeneration and low-carbon infrastructure. Whether it is electricity, gas, water and wider connectivity efforts, independents are increasingly:
- Delivering connections to new homes and communities
- Supporting regeneration of complex sites
- Enabling low-carbon technologies such as EV charging, heat networks and renewables
The conversation has shifted from “can independents do this?” to “how do we make full use of what independents can offer?” That’s a significant step forward.
Regulation needs to match the reality on the ground
A strong theme from the workshops was that regulation has not kept pace with how the market now works. Delegates underlined several issues:
- NAVs still face disproportionate, site-by-site licensing hurdles, creating delay and uncertainty for major housing and mixed-use schemes.
- Standards and processes vary across incumbents, which adds cost and complexity when independent operators are active across different regions.
- Connections reform is incomplete, particularly for demand connections and for projects that cut across electricity, gas, water and heat.
The message was clear: if independent networks are now a mainstream route to delivering critical infrastructure, the regulatory framework must be more consistent, more proportionate and more predictable.
The Summit reinforced INA’s case for:
- A more streamlined NAV licensing regime
- Greater standardisation of technical and commercial requirements
- Joined-up regulatory reforms between Ofgem, Ofwat and other bodies
Planning power is shifting – and independents need a seat at the table
Another key learning was that influence over infrastructure is now spread far beyond Whitehall. Devolved governments, combined authorities, metro mayors and local planning bodies are all playing a growing role in decisions about:
- Where new homes and communities are built
- How new towns and regeneration schemes are master-planned
- How infrastructure for EV charging, heat and digital connectivity is integrated from the start
Delegates stressed that independent networks must be visible in these regional and local forums if we are to design whole-system solutions rather than bolt-on fixes.
For the INA and our members, that means:
- Building stronger relationships with devolved and regional bodies
- Ensuring the independent sector’s capabilities are understood early in planning processes
- Providing practical evidence and case studies that show what works on the ground
Resilience and customer vulnerability are system-wide challenges
The discussion on customers and strategic resilience highlighted how quickly the risk landscape is changing. Resilience is no longer just about repairing faults quickly. It now spans:
- Climate impacts and extreme weather, affecting both upstream networks and local assets
- Dependencies on critical national infrastructure, especially data centres and key industrial users
- The needs of vulnerable and priority customers, who may be more affected by disruption
Delegates emphasised that independent networks already meet the same operational and customer obligations as their larger counterparts – but that better data-sharing and clearer standards would enable everyone to do more.
Key points included:
- The need for consistent minimum standards for customer service and vulnerability support across the sector
- GDPR-compliant data-sharing frameworks that allow network operators to identify and support vulnerable customers in an emergency
- A more joined-up approach to climate resilience across electricity, gas, water and digital networks
This will feed directly into the INA’s work to develop a shared customer and resilience framework for the sector.
Investment is ready to go – but certainty and data are crucial
Finally, the Summit made it clear that there is no shortage of appetite to invest in new homes, low-carbon infrastructure and regeneration. Independent networks, investors and developers all stand ready to deliver more.
But two enablers came up repeatedly:
- Regulatory and policy certainty – Investors and operators need a clearer, more stable view of how heat, hydrogen, water, connections and land rights will be treated over the coming years.
- Access to data and transparency on capacity and queues – Developers cannot make informed decisions without better information about where connections are possible, at what cost and on what timescales.
Delegates called for more open, shared data on:
- Connection queues for both generation and demand
- Spatial capacity across electricity and water networks
- Planned upgrades and reinforcement over time
This is an area where independent networks can add real value — bringing forward innovative approaches to data, planning and delivery, working alongside incumbents and system operators.
What happens next?
For a more detailed summary of the sessions and workshops, download the INA Growth Summit 2025 Post-Conference Report.
The Growth Summit was designed not just to talk about these issues, but to shape the INA’s priorities for the year ahead. The insights from delegates will inform:
- The INA’s 2026 workplan
- Our engagement with government, regulators and devolved bodies
- Our programme of events, working groups and consultations
One thing is already clear: the UK will not meet its housing, growth and net zero ambitions without making full use of independent networks. The Summit has helped crystallise where we need to focus next to turn that potential into delivery.
If you’d like to continue the conversation, share a case study or get involved in INA’s work, we’d be delighted to hear from you.
