- Overhaul will make it easier to get big energy projects connected
- The UK currently has 750 GW of plans waiting for approval
- Octopus Energy praises regulator’s plans
NESO’s plans to speed up energy projects getting connected have been approved
The National Energy Systems Operator (NESO) has had its plans to speed up approval for clean energy projects approved by Ofgem.
In a statement, NESO described the decision to approve the ‘CMP446: Increasing the lower threshold in England and Wales for Evaluation of Transmission Impact Assessment (TIA)’ as a “landmark step towards a clean energy future”.
It put forward a recommendation in 2024 to increase the TIA threshold from 1MW to 5MW, meaning that more projects will be approved without going through an additional and lengthy process to measure their impact on the national grid.
This threshold of 5MW will also be monitored according to the country’s needs and may be increased again.
Combined with the government’s plans to speed up approval of energy projects through a ‘first read, first connected’ strategy, this latest overhaul of the UK’s energy infrastructure has the potential to accelerate the country’s net-zero plans.
NESO said that it “highlights a collective commitment to get clean viable energy projects connected to power our businesses and our homes”.
The group said its proposals are designed to process the 750GW of projects currently waiting to be connecting. This number is four times what the UK needs by 2030 and twice what it needs by 2050.
Responding to the news, Zoisa North-Bond, CEO of Octopus Energy Generation, praised Ofgem for “tackling one of the biggest blockers to Britain’s clean energy future and putting shovel ready renewables on the fast track.
“For too long, vital renewable projects have been stuck in a broken system that rewarded position over progress,” North-Bond commented.
“Today, more than 3,500 renewable energy projects are stuck in the grid queue – many ready to build, but facing wait times of up to 15 years just to connect.
“This reform will make the system more efficient, remove the need for unnecessary new pylons, and slash bills for consumers and businesses across the country.”
Jess Ralston, analyst at the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) described improving grid connections as “essential” for achieving energy independence and making the UK less dependent on foreign imports.
“Every wind farm we connect in the North Sea means less imported gas from abroad,” Ralston commented.
By removing projects that may never go ahead, businesses can “start making the most of the UK’s renewables quicker”.
The resulting price stability, Ralston said, would “get Britain off gas and away from the influence of foreign actors like Putin”.
