Ofgem introduced grid reforms on 14 February that may take the GB grid from a first-come, first-served system to at least one that prioritizes tasks for connection primarily based on their diploma of readiness and perceived significance to hitting the federal government’s clear energy targets.
Asserting it as “a step change in tackling delays and shortening queues”, Ofgem stated the brand new system would see accelerated new provides made by the tip of the 12 months, with the primary linked and operational from 2026.
“Britain will not get a clean power grid by 2030 unless an unprecedented volume of new renewable power and storage is connected to electricity networks – that’s why we’re cutting back the red tape and replacing the out-of-date connections system,” stated Akshay Kaul, Ofgem’s Director Normal for Infrastructure.
Below the proposals, tasks could be fast-tracked if they are often operational rapidly and are wanted to hit the federal government’s clear energy targets for 2030. So the reforms prioritise tasks which are “ready” and “needed”.
The connections queue at present has greater than 700GW of tasks ready to attach, as Scottish Renewables’ Stephen McKellar identified – certainly, that is nearly 4 instances the electrical energy demand we are going to want by 2050, he stated. He welcomed “Ofgem’s continued efforts to address this issue through reform.”
Stephen Morrish of Xlinks stated the proposed measures “would go far to ensure a faster connection to the grid for developers and prioritise market-ready projects that move the dial in a sustainable way.”
The idea for choosing winners wasn’t instantly obvious. Stephen McKellar commented: “Whereas these strikes from Ofgem are welcome, it’s critical for the long run success of Scotland’s renewable vitality business that any choices on transferring or eradicating tasks with grid connection agreements are primarily based on sound, evidence-driven evaluation to keep away from unintended and doubtlessly unfavorable penalties.
Shraiya Thapa, Clear Power Information Lead at legislation agency Freeths, stated: “For certain regions and technology types in particular (namely battery energy storage) this will create inevitable winners and losers when it comes to projects as the connection queue is currently massively oversubscribed in comparison to the government’s clean power 2030 targets. In order to deliver in these targets, project developers who end up being grid connection ‘winners’ will still need to see accompanying build out of much needed grid infrastructure as well as much promised planning reform.”
After all, one of many key roadblocks in terms of renewables’ potential to supply low cost, out there energy is intermittency, a matter seemingly unaddressed by this newest reforms proposal.
Morrish stated: “The UK should additionally diversify its vitality combine to shore up a provide of agency and versatile clear energy even when the wind doesn’t blow and the solar doesn’t shine.
“Alternative technologies such as interconnectors will be critical to diversify our clean energy supply – avoiding costly gas imports which knock on to our bills.”
