Britain’s National Grid plc (LON:NG) said on Monday it is speeding up the connection of up to 20 GW of clean energy projects to its electricity transmission and distribution networks in England and Wales.
The acceleration will see 19 battery energy storage projects totalling around 10 GW offered connected dates on its transmission network averaging four years earlier than their current agreement. Selected battery projects will be able to connect before network reinforcements are carried out, provided that the Electricity System Operator (ESO) can adjust their behaviour in specific conditions to reduce system impact.
In addition, 10 GW of unlocked capacity announced recently on National Grid’s distribution network in the Midlands, South West of England and South Wales will speed up the connection of a large number of low carbon projects. As part of the first wave of the capacity release, over 200 projects have shown interest in fast tracking their distribution connection dates, with 16 interested in connecting in the next 12 months and another 180 within two to five years.
The announcement is part of ongoing collaborative industry efforts, along with regulator Ofgem and the government, to accelerate and reform connections.
Another tranche of clean energy projects, mainly batteries and hybrid projects where batteries are co-located with wind or solar, will be offered faster transmission connections in a new phase expected in the new year, potentially fast tracking a further 10 GW. There are also plans to replace the “first come, first served” distribution connections process with a more dynamic “first ready, first connected” approach.
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