The current Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is a stark reminder of the critical role of electricity infrastructures in modern societies. The pledge by a number of governments to emphasise decarbonisation commitments as part of their economic recovery strategies will only further increase the importance of a reliable and resilient electricity supply. Meeting the 2015 ParisAgreement goals demands that the carbon intensity of the electric power sector is reduced to50 gCO2/kWh by 2050, or one-eighth of the current levels in OECD countries. Decarbonising the energy sectors will require electrification of sectors such as transportation and an increase in the share of electricity in the overall energy mix. This will require a rapid and radical transformation of the power system with the deployment of low-carbon emitting technologies such as nuclear, hydroelectricity and variable renewable energy (VRE). It also means dramatically reducing the use of carbon-emitting technologies. Investing in low-carbon electricity technologies is therefore vital and requires a clear regulatory environment to enable these investments.These changes must be approached with a full understanding of the costs and impacts of various technologies in the electricity system as a whole.