Delays in the Western HVDC link was the principal factor that slowed capital investment by National Grid by  £109 million to £1,579 million in the six months to 30 September, the company said in a trading update.
Grid said transmission investment over the eight-year price review period would be clearer when the results of the Capacity Market and Contracts for Difference auctions were known. But it expected its UK networks regulated asset value to grow by 5-6% per year, with total investment of £16-20 billion over the period.