Tuesday 7 November 2023

National Grid speeds up 20GW clean energy connection

National Grid has announced its plans to expedite the connection of up to 20 gigawatts (GW) of clean energy projects to its electricity transmission and distribution networks in England and Wales.

This initiative is expected to advance the integration of renewable energy sources into the grid.

The company, responsible for managing Britain's energy systems, revealed that it intends to offer new connection dates to 19 battery energy storage projects on its transmission network, with a combined capacity of approximately 10GW.

These projects will be able to connect four years earlier than initially agreed.

This move is part of the Electricity System Operator (ESO)'s connections five-point plan, aimed at enhancing the energy infrastructure.

The accelerated 20GW of clean energy projects equates to the output of six Hinkley Point C nuclear power stations.

Alice Delahunty, President of National Grid Electricity Transmission, said: "Bringing these battery projects forward is one of a range of actions that our electricity transmission business is delivering alongside the system operator and wider industry to unlock clean energy capacity in England and Wales."