Electricity network operators have “abolished” 10 gigawatts of “zombie” projects since last December, to free up vital grid capacity.
The Energy Networks Association, which has every major electricity network operator in the UK among its membership, highlighted the progress made since it set up its strategic connections group in December 2023.
The ENA, which is “dedicated to accelerating the speed of grid connections”, noted that actions being taken include “where a project has completely stalled and is no longer progressing, networks are removing these from the queue and terminating connection contracts”.
Asked about the projects removed, a spokesman for the ENA said: “In terms of the types of projects, they come from both transmission and distribution customers, so would be a mixture, predominately potential generation, storage and industrial projects.”
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The ENA added that other actions included “ensuring all projects within the queue are ‘on track’ and meeting the milestones set out within their contracts”.
And it noted: “Where a project is behind schedule, and hasn’t reached the milestone it should have, network companies are liaising with the developer and discussing the reason behind the delay, as well as assisting with progression of the project to meet any current and future milestones.”
The ENA said of the removal of 10GW of projects: “This achievement has been possible thanks to work being undertaken by network operators, the regulator and the system operator through ENA’s strategic connections group. The initiatives have seen stalled or speculative schemes - that were characterised by the regulator last year as ‘zombie projects’ - removed from the queue.”
It added: “Over the coming months, the group is working on further initiatives as part of the next phase of the process, including ensuring a more effective and cohesive connection process between the transmission and distribution networks.
“ENA and their network operator members are working with the regulator to assess what would be needed to deliver this coordination, including in terms of codes or new licence changes to facilitate it.”
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The ENA noted it has “prioritised practical reforms and is advocating for strategic changes to the UK’s planning processes that are necessary to make grid connections even faster”.
ENA chief executive Lawrence Slade said: “Removing these stalled schemes is a necessary step to make the UK’s grid connection process faster but it’s just one part of the solution and work must continue at pace. We’re taking measures to more closely coordinate the connections process between distribution and transmission networks and we’re working with the Government and regulator to help ensure the planning system is ready to enable the connections needed for the UK’s clean energy future.”
He added: “We also shouldn’t forget that these projects are a sign that the ‘connection queue’ itself requires further reform, as there was 252GW more generation and supply capacity in the queue last year than is required by 2050 in even the most ambitious plans for the UK’s grid.”
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