More than a thousand clean energy projects with planning
permission are waiting to be built, the Local Government
Association warns today, with net zero ambitions at risk of being
scuppered if grid connection challenges are not fixed.
Hundreds of solar and wind farms are ready to be built, but
communities are waiting years, in some cases decades for their
clean energy due to delays in projects to the national grid.
For example, plans have been submitted for a solar farm in
Coventry but the earliest it can be connected to the grid is
2028. In Dorset, it has become almost impossible to secure grid
connections with some projects being told they cannot be
connected until 2036.
The LGA is calling on the Government to step up the pace in
connecting energy schemes to the grid, and resource councils to
develop local energy plans to share investments and develop local
grids.
There has been a sharp increase in clean power schemes granted
permission by councils in recent years, with the number doubling
almost every year since 2018. These projects include schemes to
generate energy from solar, wind, water, biomass, waste, sewage,
and hydrogen, which have the total capacity to generate 9,000
megawatts at any one time.
The LGA said communities have said yes to over 1,300 renewable
energy schemes that are waiting to be built. However, just 150 of
these projects are currently under construction.
The solar schemes awaiting construction would alone generate
around 15,000 megawatts a day, enough to power 1.9 million
homes.
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.
Councils are at the forefront of a local energy revolution but
need resourcing into local energy plans to help inform grid
investments that connect renewable power into homes and cars in
communities.
Cllr 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.”
Ends
Contact Information
Daisy Roberts
daisy.roberts@local.gov.uk
Notes to editors
Notes to editors
Case study: Coventry
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. As a
mitigation measure, Coventry is working on an alternative
connection, to energise the electricity generated by the solar
farm, to be released into the grid, which would be available
straight away.
Contact Coventry Council press office - Communications@coventry.gov.uk
Case study: Dorset
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.
Contact Dorset Council press office - comms@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
