Octopus Energy's generation arm has released a new report that proposes five simple ways to speed up the connection of renewables to the UK grid. The report, End the Gridlock, argues that queue-jumping, sunset clauses, and a data-driven can-do attitude are three key ways to speed up the connection process. Increasing competition and greater collaboration between developers are also seen as important steps to unleashing Britain's green energy potential.
According to the report, implementing this five-point plan could lead to new wind and solar farms providing clean electricity to around 2.5 million homes. This is equivalent to the electricity needs of households in Manchester, Birmingham, and Leeds combined, every year.
Currently, the UK has one of the longest power grid connection queues in Europe, with over 200 GW of wind and solar projects waiting to be connected. This slow process jeopardises the UK's fossil-free targets, according to a recent government committee report.
The recommendations in the report are based on Octopus Energy's own renewables development experience and investment from funds it manages. The report calls for proactive queue-jumping to connect projects that are further along, enforcing sunset clauses on grid offers to prevent fossil fuels from taking up space, and a more transparent can-do attitude that uses data and technology to create ‘zones' ripe for renewable development.
The report also calls for increased competition in the grid connection process and collaboration between developers to share and reduce connection costs. Zoisa North-Bond, CEO of Octopus Energy Generation, said: “To accelerate Britain's colossal renewable energy opportunity and drive down energy bills fast, we need to connect cheap green projects to the grid quicker. There's no time to waste in an energy crisis – we need to end the gridlock now.”
By implementing these recommendations, the UK could reduce its reliance on expensive and polluting fossil fuels and jump-start a cheaper and greener energy future for British homes and businesses.
