The UK is falling behind in the global effort to modernise power grids, investing four times more in renewable energy projects than in the electricity infrastructure needed to connect them to the grid and end-users, according to a new report. For every £1 spent on renewable energy, only 25p has been invested in the cables and power lines required, claims a study by Bloomberg NEF. This imbalance places the UK eighth among the world's 10 largest energy markets in an index ranking grid investments. Compared to European neighbours such as Germany, Spain, and Italy, the UK lags in building electricity grids to support the rapid expansion of renewable energy projects. Globally, the UK also trails China, the US, Australia, and Brazil but ranks ahead of India and Japan. Bloomberg NEF estimates that adapting the global electricity grid for a net-zero future will require a staggering $21.4 trillion to install 152 million kilometres of new cables, enough to stretch from Earth to the Sun. These findings come as the UK faces costly consequences of insufficient grid infrastructure. This year alone, approximately £1 billion has been spent to shut down wind turbines during windy periods because the electricity generated cannot be transported to areas of high demand. The report, commissioned by ScottishPower, highlights the slow pace of connecting wind and solar capacity to the transmission system as a significant reason for the UK's poor standing. Keith Anderson, ScottishPower's CEO, described the UK as a victim of its own success for rolling out renewables faster than its grid can support. "Our grid is under immense strain," Anderson said. "For every pound spent on renewable energy, at least another pound should go into the grid. We need to significantly boost overall investment in grid infrastructure and streamline the process for new connections. The government and regulators understand what needs to be done." Britain's electricity system is operated by the National Energy System Operator (NESO), a publicly owned body spun off from National Grid. National Grid, along with ScottishPower and SSE, still owns and manages most of the UK's high-voltage transmission and smaller regional networks. Lawrence Slade, CEO of the Energy Networks Association, called the government's planning and consenting processes the "biggest obstacle" to upgrading the grid. He noted that building a new transmission line can take up to a decade, with 70% of that time consumed by planning. "The prime minister's recent pledge to fast-track planning for key economic infrastructure is encouraging," Slade said. Ofgem, the UK's energy regulator, acknowledged the urgency of grid expansion to meet the government's 2030 clean power target. A spokesperson promised to eliminate "unnecessary red tape" to attract the investment needed while keeping costs affordable for consumers. The government echoed these sentiments, stating: "We recognize the need for planning reform to achieve clean power by 2030. That's why we're working to rewire Britain and upgrade outdated infrastructure to bring renewable electricity onto the grid." Officials also promised to provide details on significant planning reforms to help facilitate what they described as a "once-in-a-generation upgrade" to the UK's energy infrastructure.