UK government to buy electricity system operator from National Grid for £630m

The decision to remove the ESO from National Grid’s ownership was made when the Conservatives were in government. Photograph: Gareth Fuller/PA

The UK government has agreed to take control of the National Grid unit tasked with keeping the lights on in a £630m deal that takes effect from next month.

Great Britain’s electricity system operator (ESO) will be transferred into public ownership to create a new national energy system operator (Neso), which will also oversee the gas system.