National Grid to accelerate up to 20 GW of grid connections across its networks
National Grid is accelerating the connection of up to 20GW of clean energy projects to its electricity transmission and distribution networks in England and Wales.
Image for illustration purposes.
UK, London: National Grid is accelerating the connection of up to 20GW of clean energy projects to its electricity transmission and distribution networks in England and Wales.
On its transmission network, 19 battery energy storage projects worth around 10 GW will be offered dates to plug in averaging four years earlier than their current agreement, based on a new approach which removes the need for non-essential engineering works prior to connecting storage. The policy is part of National Grid’s connections reform initiative targeting transmission capacity, spearheaded by the ESO, which owns the contractual relationship with connecting projects, and actioned jointly with National Grid Electricity Transmission (ET).
On its distribution network in the Midlands, southwest of England and South Wales, the additional 10 GW of unlocked capacity announced recently will accelerate the connection of scores of low-carbon technology projects, bringing forward some ‘shovel ready’ schemes by up to five years. National Grid has been in contact with more than 200 projects interested in fast tracking their distribution connection dates in the first wave of the capacity release, with 16 expressing an interest in connecting in the next 12 months and another 180 looking to connect within two to five years.
The accelerated 20 GW equates to the capacity of six Hinkley Point C nuclear power stations and follows months of work and engagement with industry, Ofgem and government to find solutions that will make plugging in clean energy projects faster and more flexible. That includes collaborative action between Britain’s transmission and distribution networks to manage their technical interface more effectively to unlock gigawatts of capacity.
The new approach to transmission storage connections comes as National Grid ET undertakes a review of projects in the connections pipeline in England and Wales to identify which can come forward based on new planning assumptions agreed with the ESO. Traditionally, National Grid carries out network reinforcements before a project plugs in based on the assumption that batteries could charge at peak times and export when generation is high, exacerbating system peaks and constraints.
Following detailed technical analysis by electricity transmission engineers, National Grid will offer selected battery projects a transmission connection before network reinforcements are made, on the agreement that the ESO can adjust the battery’s behaviour in certain operating conditions to reduce system impact. A further tranche of clean energy projects – primarily batteries and hybrids (batteries co-located with wind or solar) – will be offered accelerated transmission connections as part of another phase anticipated in the new year, which could bring forward another 10 GW.
Source: National Grid