Distribution systems here in a lot of rural areas are just reaching capacity as the demand for electricity has been rapidly increasing as farmers add more automation and householders add more gagets
I'd say 10KV systems will gradually all move to 20KV and 38KV. Moving them all over to 3-phase sounds really expensive given the sheer length in KM's of 10 and 20 KV cable systems in use in rural areas here since the 1930s. They still seem to like wooden poles though. I think the metal and concrete ones used by EDF in France look horrible in comparison.
What does the UK use for rural supplies ? I can't see much alternative to medium tension lines and local step down transformers.
