According to a report by the BBC, new solar and wind projects in the UK are facing extensive waiting periods ranging from 10 to 15 years due to limited capacity within the system. Approximately £200 billion worth of clean energy initiatives are currently affected by these prolonged waiting times, threatening the nation's clean energy goals. The research, based on data from the National Grid, indicates that around 40% of these projects are confronted with a connection wait of at least one year. Although the government plans to introduce a new strategy to accelerate connections, its implementation is expected later in the year.

A spokesperson from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero acknowledged the challenge posed by connection delays and highlighted the significant amount of renewable electricity connected in Europe since 2010. However, the current pipeline of delayed projects, worth £200 billion, matches the government's total expenditure on renewable infrastructure in the same period. The government has previously committed to achieving a complete transition to clean electricity generation by 2035, aligning with the International Energy Agency's roadmap for a global net-zero energy system by 2050.

Despite progress in reducing emissions from the power sector by 69% since 2010, a report from the Climate Change Committee (CCC) warns that the UK is falling behind on its net-zero power system transformation target for 2035. The CCC emphasizes the need for better planning policies regarding infrastructure, batteries, flexibility, and consumer demand. The report underscores the urgency of deploying infrastructure at an accelerated pace and highlights the significant amount of net-zero electricity infrastructure that still needs to be built.

One of the key challenges identified by the CCC is the provision of sufficient low-carbon backup generation to support the net-zero power system. The committee suggests that hydrogen-based power stations and reduced reliance on fossil fuel gas, alongside carbon capture and storage technologies, will be necessary during the transition. The findings have raised concerns among industry experts, with Kona Energy's founder, Andy Willis, noting that significant delays are hampering the nation's green energy ambitions and deterring international investment. Willis calls for urgent reform in the connections queue, advocating for private companies to contribute to the development of necessary connection infrastructure to alleviate waiting times and foster competition.

Source: edie.net