National Grid to accelerate 20GW of new projects

On its transmission network, 19 battery energy storage projects worth around 10GW will be offered dates to connect on average four years earlier than under existing terms. The acceleration has been enabled by a new approach that removes the need for non-essential engineering works prior to connecting storage. It is a cornerstone of National Grid Electricity System Operator’s (ESO’s) five-point plan to speed up connections, with hundreds of gigawatts of clean energy and storage projects facing lengthy queues to plug into the grid.

“We’re pleased to see the tangible delivery against one of the key points of our five-point plan to speed up connections to the transmission grid for battery and storage projects,” said Julian Leslie, ESO head of Networks and chief engineer.

“We’re evolving our network and taking the lead on speeding up connections to make our power system fit for the future, to deliver net zero and keep clean power flowing to the growing number of homes and businesses across Great Britain, fuelling our economy.”