The UK gas transmission system
Before gas reaches a regional network, it travels the National Transmission System: the high-pressure backbone that carries it across Great Britain from coastal terminals and interconnectors to power stations, large industry and the distribution networks. One company owns and runs it. This is what transmission is, who operates it and why it is not the pipe into your home.
7,660 km
High-pressure NTS pipeline
85 bar
Maximum operating pressure
2024
NESO took over gas planning
Who owns the backbone
The gas transmission operator
Great Britain has a single gas transmission system, with one company owning and running it. Read the full guide.
In short: gas transmission is the national, high-pressure layer of the network. The National Transmission System (NTS) is owned and operated by National Gas Transmission, and it carries gas across Great Britain to power stations, big industry and the regional distribution networks that own the pipes to your meter. It is not your supplier, and it is not who you call if you smell gas at home.
Transmission and distribution are often confused. Transmission is the motorway: a small number of very high-pressure pipes run by one operator. Distribution is the local road network: lower-pressure pipes run by regional companies that branch off the backbone and reach individual homes. This hub covers the transmission layer; for the network that actually feeds your meter, see the distribution hub.
Gas transmission FAQ
The Selectra expert answers your questions
Transmission is the national high-pressure backbone, one operator and one National Transmission System moving gas across the country. Distribution is the regional, lower-pressure layer: separate networks that branch off the backbone and own the pipes that reach your meter. You are connected to a distribution network, not the transmission system.
National Gas Transmission owns and operates the NTS, around 7,660 km of pipeline up to 85 bar. It was National Grid Gas until it was rebranded National Gas and sold to a Macquarie-led consortium, with National Grid plc exiting fully in early 2025.
No. The National Energy System Operator (NESO) took over real-time operation of the electricity system in October 2024, but for gas it only holds a planning role. Real-time operation of the gas transmission system stayed with National Gas Transmission.
Almost never as a household. The transmission operator does not sell gas, does not bill you and is not the gas emergency line. If you smell gas, call the free National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999 in Great Britain (0800 002 001 in Northern Ireland).