ESO transmission amnesty identifies 5.5GW of stalled projects

National Grid Electricity System Operator (ESO) has told Utility Week its amnesty on stalled schemes in the queue for connection to the transmission system has attracted approaches from 5.5GW of projects.

It comes as the ESO set out its plans for fast-tracking grid connections, including a new two-stage process that will allow projects to get a place in the queue more rapidly. The ESO is also proposing interim options for battery and storage projects to connect to the grid sooner.

The ESO kicked off work on connections reform at the start of 2022 after accepting that the current system was not fit for purpose in the face of a major increase in the volume of applications and concerns over long waiting times.

The organisation has repeatedly pointed out that the volume of contracted projects is three times the amount of generation needed by 2030 to be on the right path to net zero. In response, it launched a Transmission Entry Capacity (TEC) amnesty in September. Five months on the ESO told Utility Week 5.5 GW of projects have expressed an interest in terminating or reducing their contracted capacity. The amnesty runs until April.

On Wednesday (22 February) the ESO released its latest update on connections reform, including a new interim two-step process for England and Wales from 1 March. The first stage would allow projects to initially secure a place in the TEC queue but without detailed costs and other information that would normally be required. Over the following nine months a background review would take place which if successful would lead to a follow-up offer.

This process will be in place while the ESO and transmission operators carry out a complete system review for all contracted offers with a connection date from 2026 onwards. In Scotland, connections will continue to be offered as usual while the review is carried out.

The ESO has also developed new methodologies to reflect current connection rates and reduce the assumption that most projects in the queue will connect (currently only 30%-40% do).

It also says it will introduce an interim option for storage projects to connect to the network sooner, but with the caveat that they may be required to turn off more frequently when the system is under stress “without initially being paid to do so”.

Meanwhile, new terms for connection contracts are being developed so that those projects that are progressing can connect and those that are not can leave the queue.

Julian Leslie, head of networks and chief engineer at the ESO, said:  “We’re evolving our network to make it fit for the future, to deliver net zero and keep clean power flowing to the growing number of homes and business across Great Britain, fuelling our economy.

“We recognise the frustration some of our connections customers are experiencing and through this package of short-term initiatives and longer-term reforms we are determined to address the challenges with the current process which was not designed to operate the sheer scale of applications we are receiving today.”