UK to clear zombie projects from queue
Zombie grid projects will no longer block UK grid connections, as Ofgem prepares to approve reforms to streamline the process.
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UK: The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) announced that “zombie projects” will no longer block the UK electricity grid connection queue. Ofgem is set to approve reforms aimed at streamlining the connection process, accelerating the integration of new wind and solar farms. The new approach replaces the current first-come, first-served system, which has caused delays for some projects.
The updated plan will fast-track projects that can be operational by 2030, helping Labour meet its clean power goals. Ofgem’s chief executive, Jonathan Brearley, called the reforms historic, aiming to unlock up to $53 B (£40 B) in private investment and boost economic growth. This will also benefit sectors like housing, hospitals, electric vehicle charging, data centers, and AI, by improving energy security and reducing costs.
The National Energy System Operator (NESO) will manage the new system, which aims to reduce red tape and prioritise urgent projects. Currently, many serious projects are delayed behind speculative ones. Ofgem estimates that two-thirds of projects in the queue will be deprioritised, with around 40 % being speculative. The reforms aim to significantly increase power generation, with the first projects under the new regime expected by 2026.
Source: Morningstar
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