UK Government Unveils Ambitious Grid Connection Reform
Aims to address the current backlog of 722GW of connection requests.
Image for illustration purposes.
In an “Open letter from DESNZ and Ofgem: Aligning grid connections with strategic plans” the UK government and Ofgem have announced a major overhaul of the grid connection process to accelerate the transition to clean energy and boost economic growth.
The National Energy System Operator (NESO) has proposed moving from a ‘first come, first served’ approach to a ‘first ready, first connected’ model. However, recognising that this alone may not sufficiently reduce the queue, the government and Ofgem are working to strengthen these proposals by adding technological and locational criteria for prioritising connections.
This reform aligns with the government’s Clean Power 2030 ambition, which seeks to decarbonise the electricity grid by the end of the decade. The new process will consider the different energy technologies needed in various geographical areas and the scale of deployment required.
The reform isn’t limited to power generation; it also aims to accelerate connections for demand users such as data centres, factories, and housing developments, which are crucial for economic growth and the transition to net zero.
This comprehensive reform represents a significant step towards modernising the UK’s power grid, ensuring it can meet the challenges of a clean energy future while supporting economic growth and development across the country.
Source: Department for Energy Security & Net Zero (UK)
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