Slow grid connections and a lack of clear plans for energy
storage have to be fixed to enable electrification of the UK
energy system or risk net zero goals not being met, a committee
of MPs has found.
In a report published today, the Environmental Audit Committee
concludes that many planned renewable energy projects are being
hampered by persistent problems accessing the electricity grid.
These include slow connections, limited capacity, inappropriate
planning regulations and market uncertainty.
Demand to access the grid is high; the current queue to connect
contains more than twice the amount of generation required to
meet the Government's target of decarbonising the energy system
by 2035. But projects being unable to access the grid could make
that target harder to achieve.
Ofgem and the Electricity System Operator (ESO) have attempted to
speed up the system by requiring projects to meet key
‘milestones' like securing planning permission. Businesses that
fail to meet such milestones could lose their place. However, the
Committee's report finds that early evidence suggests these
changes have not yet reduced the length of the connection queue.
In response, the Committee recommends that the Government and
Ofgem actively monitor and streamline initiatives designed to
deliver grid connections faster. In particular, it recommends
that Ofgem review its milestone queue reforms, with a focus on
advancing demonstrably ready projects to the front of the queue.
The report also finds that the planning system risks being a
“bottleneck” to the rollout of energy infrastructure, as local
authorities often lack the resources or in-house knowledge to
accelerate clean energy projects. It recommends the Government
develop a plan to ensure local authorities have the personnel and
expertise they need to reach planning decisions quickly while
engaging with local communities.
Elsewhere in the report, MPs highlight that achieving net zero
goals, while maintaining energy security and avoiding energy
shortages, will likely require a significant level of low-carbon
storage.
But it is not yet clear that the scale of energy storage
facilities which are likely to be required, or the actions
necessary to secure long-term storage, is well understood. The
energy sector needs clear strategic direction to secure the
private investment required and delivery of grid-scale energy
storage, which will otherwise be delayed.
The Committee recommends the Government address these barriers to
long-term storage as a matter of urgency, through either
investing directly in infrastructure or reforming policy
mechanisms such as the Capacity Market. It calls on the
Government to publish, by 2025 at the latest, an energy storage
strategy setting out the short and long-term energy storage
needed to deliver the UK's net zero goals.
Environmental Audit Committee Chair, MP, said:
“The Government's commitment to decarbonising Great Britain's
electricity grid fully by 2035 – increasing capacity by 250% in
little over a decade – is one of the most ambitious undertakings
by any peacetime Government. We have seen no evidence that it is
achievable any earlier.
“It is beyond question that this project, around which there is a
broad consensus, will require an unprecedented level of planning
and coordination across Government, as well as significant
private investment.
“There is no lack of demand to take part in the clean energy
revolution; UK businesses are queuing around the block to secure
access to the grid. As green technology improves and becomes
easier to access, this will only increase.
“Yesterday's announcement by the National Grid of a £30bn investment in UK
energy network infrastructure is a very welcome sign of the
willingness across the sector to deliver a decarbonised grid.
“But achieving that goal will require sustained investment and
unrelenting effort across all aspects of the energy system.
“Immediately after the General Election, the Government must
address these concerns as a priority, and set out clearly how it
will balance achieving net zero goals with delivery of a secure
energy supply.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
