In a significant development, an additional 50GW of capacity has been made available for generators and battery storage providers to connect to Great Britain's electricity grid, according to the Energy Networks Association (ENA). The ENA highlighted that this milestone was achieved substantially earlier than anticipated, thanks to proactive measures implemented by the sector.
The progress can be attributed to various industry actions, including the implementation of the Electricity System Operator's (ESO) queue management plan, Ofgem's new rules expediting grid connections, and the ENA's three-point connections plan unveiled earlier this year.
This announcement precedes the Chancellor's Autumn Statement, raising expectations within the industry for further measures to accelerate grid connections. Network operators are particularly keen on modifications to the planning and consenting system to facilitate the timely construction of crucial energy infrastructure, as Great Britain's power networks contend with a surge in connection requests from renewable generators and battery storage companies. These efforts align with the imperative to meet the UK government's legally binding net-zero target by 2050 and the Scottish Government's goal of achieving net zero by 2045.
Lawrence Slade, the Chief Executive of ENA, emphasized the positive outcomes resulting from collaborative efforts between the sector, government, and Ofgem to eliminate barriers to faster grid connections. While acknowledging the impact of technical and legal changes, Slade emphasized the ongoing need for additional infrastructure to meet the ambitious net-zero targets set by the UK and Scottish governments.
