Efforts to cut the time it takes for energy projects to be connected to the national grid have not worked so far as the queue to join the grid keeps growing, according to reports.
Developments, such as wind and solar farms, promising a total of 15 gigawatts of output have joined the waiting list for approval since October, The Telegraph reported.
This is despite promises by regulator Ofgem, National Grid PLC (LSE:NG.)’s system operating wing (ESO) and even Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to cut wait times for new renewable projects to be connected.
Projects deemed unrealistic were set to be removed from the queue under crackdown plans in a bid to cut down waiting times from as long as 13 years. However, legal threats and an influx of new projects joining the queue are said to have ruined such plans.
The Telegraph reported the ESO as saying that an average of 80 projects currently apply for grid connections every month, with the queue now comprising 1,600 proposals.
Previous research from the government’s net zero department suggested the vast majority of these will never be built.
As a result, Ofgem boss Johnathan Brearley is poised to write to developers in the coming months, informing them of new rules barring projects without relevant permissions or proof of financial viability from joining the queue.
“We want to raise the threshold so that under-developed projects with no planning permission or land rights - including some who have not even spoken to landowners about building on their land - will not be allowed to join the queue and then block the progress of more viable projects behind them,” he was quoted as saying.
Ofgem and National Grid were approached for comment.