Grid connection delays for low-carbon projects ‘unacceptable’, says Ofgem
The energy watchdog for Great Britainwill label the decade-long wait to connect low-carbon projects to the electricity grid as “unacceptable”, amid tensions over a “blame game” for a mounting backlog of green power projects.
Jonathan Brearley, the chief executive of Ofgem, has written to energy bosses to warn that the current system, whereby energy projects queue for their connection, could be replaced by new methods to match power generation with demand.
He will use his appearance at an energy conference to criticise a “legacy of stalled, unviable and often highly speculative ‘zombie’ projects blocking ready-to-go solar, wind and other renewable schemes stuck behind them”.
Renewable energy developers have accused the government of a “lack of vision” in planning the grid. They have expressed concerns that wait times of up to 15 years have made it difficult to attract investment as the UK competes with the $369bn (£295bn) US package of climate subsidies.
Officials are attempting to rebalance Britain’s energy network away from fossil fuels in favour of renewables, with a target of decarbonising the UK power system by 2035.
Separately on Tuesday, National Grid’s electricity system operator (ESO) published a plan to speed up connecting to the grid. It involves allowing developers to leave the queue without incurring a financial penalty, creating new contracts related to how quickly a project has progressed and allowing sites that store electricity to connect faster.
The ESO said 70% of the pipeline of projects that have a connection date after 2026 would be able to connect between two and 10 years earlier because of the changes.
Tensions have emerged in recent weeks over who is to blame for the delays. In an interview with the
Read more on theguardian.com
