More than 1,000 renewable energy projects are being held up by grid connection delays after securing planning permission, research by the Local Government Association (LGA) has found.
The association warns that net zero ambitions at risk of being scuppered if grid connection challenges are not fixed.
In total, the LGA found that 1,300 clean power projects have secured planning permission but are yet to be built. Of these, just 150 have started construction.
The LGA adds that “challenges in connecting new energy power projects to the national grid are often cited as being the key challenge to getting projects off the ground”.
Linda Taylor, environment spokesperson for the LGA, said: “Our transition to a secure and sustainable future relies on continued growth in renewable energy.
“It’s fantastic to see a rapid rise in planning permissions for green energy projects. However, the numbers awaiting construction is concerning, with many pointing to delays in securing the grid infrastructure that connects solar panels to kettles.
“It’s a big challenge and there is a huge effort underway. Councils want to play their full role but need the resources and powers for local energy plans to shape the grid investments so essential to a secure and sustainable future.”
A Dorset council spokesperson quoted within the report claims it “is almost impossible for large scale renewable projects to secure grid connections”.
The spokesperson adds: “Dorset now has a largely constrained grid system. It is almost impossible for large scale renewable projects to secure grid connections, with some connection dates being quoted as late as 2036.
“Export restrictions are in place even more minor developments (as evidenced by some school solar projects developed by this council) and the opportunity costs of these restrictions are now a major concern for Dorset.”
The LGA research shows a sharp increase in clean power schemes granted permission by councils in recent years, with the number doubling almost every year since 2018. The solar schemes awaiting construction would alone generate around 15,000MW a day.
A spokesperson from Coventry’s local council adds: “Coventry has plans for a solar farm and a planning application has been submitted. But the earliest the farm, if approved, could be connected to the grid is 2028. This would mean a significant delay and lost opportunities for energy generation.”
Last month, the ESO announced that stalled energy projects will be told to “get on, get back or get out” as part of reforms to the connections queue for the transmission network to make way for projects that are moving forward.
Generators that are unable meet their connection date, or milestones along the way, will have to choose between moving backwards in the queue or leaving it entirely.
These “common sense” milestones will include raising finance, buying land, securing planning permission and breaking ground.
In May, energy minister Andrew Bowie said the long delays renewable projects face securing grid connections are the result of the UK being a “victim of its own success” delivering new low carbon generation.
Fellow energy minister Graham Stuart added that it is a “real issue” and the government was keenly awaiting Nicholas Winser’s review of the transmission system, which is due to be published later this year.
Writing for Utility Week last month, Darren Colderwood from Mace Consult argued that a delivery partner driving the integration of multiple projects can be at the vanguard of a much-needed shift to accelerate grid connections.
He added: “The approach needs to change. The sector needs a model that enables clients to upscale and grow their capacity and capabilities to deliver, but not by ‘doing more’ themselves.
“Bringing in a trusted delivery partner gives client teams the headspace to operate at the ‘intelligent client’ level, focusing on strategy. The delivery partner enables this by boosting a client’s bandwidth and allowing a sharper focus on outcomes.”
The ENA has also published its own three-step plan for how it believes grid connections could be accelerated.