UK Energy System Operator to Ax Hundreds of "Zombie" Projects as Grid Backlog Cuts Off "Shovel-Ready" Schemes
A massive overhaul of Britain's energy system is underway, with the National Energy System Operator (Neso) poised to axe hundreds of electricity generation projects in a bid to clear a crippling backlog that has stalled "shovel-ready" schemes from connecting to the grid. The move aims to expedite the integration of renewable energy sources and meet the government's ambitious goal of building a virtually zero-carbon power system by 2030.
Under a new model, Neso will prioritize projects deemed most viable, with nearly half of the capacity targeted for solar and battery schemes, set to supply around 17% of Britain's electricity generation. Offshore windfarms are also expected to play a significant role, with the sector employing approximately 40,000 people and accounting for nearly a fifth of the country's electricity production.
The decision has been hailed as a major step towards unlocking Britain's clean energy potential, but critics warn that it may lead to a shortage of capacity. "Queueing is a very British tradition, but the queue to connect to Britain's grid has held back our economy," said Chris Stark, head of the government's 2030 clean power taskforce.
The overhaul comes as developers were informed on Monday that they would be told whether their plans would be dismissed or prioritized for connection by either the end of the decade or 2035. A total of over half of the energy projects in the queue will be removed to make way for the new, shovel-ready schemes, which have been deemed viable due to having the right planning permissions and financing in place.
The move has sparked a mixed reaction from industry experts, with some hailing it as a major breakthrough while others express concerns about the lack of clarity on the new pipeline. The National Energy System Operator has reserved capacity for projects, including datacentres and other energy-hungry schemes, which face fewer requirements to prove their viability.
The overhaul marks the end of a two-year process aimed at clearing the gridlock of laggard "zombie" projects awaiting connection that meant many workable proposals were facing a 15-year wait to plug into Britain's transmission lines. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: "We inherited a broken system where zombie projects were allowed to hold up grid connections for viable projects that will bring investment, jobs and economic growth."
The overhaul is part of a broader push to prioritize renewable energy sources and accelerate the country's transition to a low-carbon economy. As Britain marks 25 years of offshore wind power generation, it remains to be seen how effective this new model will be in driving progress towards its ambitious clean energy goals.
A massive overhaul of Britain's energy system is underway, with the National Energy System Operator (Neso) poised to axe hundreds of electricity generation projects in a bid to clear a crippling backlog that has stalled "shovel-ready" schemes from connecting to the grid. The move aims to expedite the integration of renewable energy sources and meet the government's ambitious goal of building a virtually zero-carbon power system by 2030.
Under a new model, Neso will prioritize projects deemed most viable, with nearly half of the capacity targeted for solar and battery schemes, set to supply around 17% of Britain's electricity generation. Offshore windfarms are also expected to play a significant role, with the sector employing approximately 40,000 people and accounting for nearly a fifth of the country's electricity production.
The decision has been hailed as a major step towards unlocking Britain's clean energy potential, but critics warn that it may lead to a shortage of capacity. "Queueing is a very British tradition, but the queue to connect to Britain's grid has held back our economy," said Chris Stark, head of the government's 2030 clean power taskforce.
The overhaul comes as developers were informed on Monday that they would be told whether their plans would be dismissed or prioritized for connection by either the end of the decade or 2035. A total of over half of the energy projects in the queue will be removed to make way for the new, shovel-ready schemes, which have been deemed viable due to having the right planning permissions and financing in place.
The move has sparked a mixed reaction from industry experts, with some hailing it as a major breakthrough while others express concerns about the lack of clarity on the new pipeline. The National Energy System Operator has reserved capacity for projects, including datacentres and other energy-hungry schemes, which face fewer requirements to prove their viability.
The overhaul marks the end of a two-year process aimed at clearing the gridlock of laggard "zombie" projects awaiting connection that meant many workable proposals were facing a 15-year wait to plug into Britain's transmission lines. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: "We inherited a broken system where zombie projects were allowed to hold up grid connections for viable projects that will bring investment, jobs and economic growth."
The overhaul is part of a broader push to prioritize renewable energy sources and accelerate the country's transition to a low-carbon economy. As Britain marks 25 years of offshore wind power generation, it remains to be seen how effective this new model will be in driving progress towards its ambitious clean energy goals.
I'm all for making some changes around here. The UK is definitely due for a shake-up when it comes to their energy system 
. Axeing those "zombie" projects might just be the kickstart they need to get things moving again 
! But at the same time, you gotta wonder how they're gonna make sure everyone gets connected without leaving some folks in the dark 
. Maybe this new model will be the answer? Fingers crossed it'll bring us closer to that 2030 zero-carbon goal 
. Just hope it doesn't lead to a capacity shortage... that's not exactly what we need right now 
#EnergyRevolution #RenewablePower #BritishCleanEnergy
. axing hundreds of "zombie" projects might seem harsh, but it makes sense given the massive backlog and the need for efficiency. prioritizing solar and battery schemes is a great move, as they're crucial for meeting the 2030 zero-carbon goal 
. however, i do worry about the potential shortage of capacity, especially with the lack of clarity on the new pipeline 
.
. only time will tell how effective this new model is in driving the country's transition to a low-carbon economy 
.
. and 40,000 offshore windfarm jobs is nice, but how many of those are gonna be replaced by...whatever it is they're replacing them with? not buying it 
.
. Prioritizing solar and battery schemes makes sense – we need to be more efficient with our energy use and make a big impact on climate change.
. We need to be thinking about the long game here and investing in our future. This overhaul is all about making Britain more sustainable and reducing its carbon footprint – it's a win-win all around! 
! They're finally tackling that grid backlog and making way for more renewable energy projects. It's about time we prioritize those solar and battery schemes, right? I mean, who doesn't love a good dose of clean energy? 
Plus, it's all about speeding up our transition to zero-carbon by 2030. I'm rooting for this new model – let's see how it plays out and hope it sets us up for a bright future! 
. I mean, on one hand, it's awesome that we're finally getting some shovel-ready schemes connected and ready to rock 
It's like, we're gonna kick them to the curb just because some new scheme is more viable 
. I mean, can't they see how bad that's for our carbon footprint 
? It's like we're just trying to keep up with the Joneses instead of actually making progress towards a sustainable future 
.
. Just hope we don't end up with another energy crisis on our hands 
. Fingers crossed the new model works out for us 
!
. And what about datacentres and other energy-hungry schemes that don't have the right planning permissions or financing? Are they just going to get a free pass? Need more info on this one 
neso is axing hundreds of "zombie" projects and prioritizing renewable energy sources like solar and wind farms it's a big deal! 
ed miliband said they had to fix the broken system where zombie projects were holding up viable schemes for 15 years lol what a queue 
anyway i'm kinda worried about the capacity shortage but on the other hand it's super exciting to see progress towards those 2030 clean energy goals 
has anyone else been following this? 
think of it like a big game of musical chairs but instead of chairs, its about shovel-ready schemes 
. and whats with the 2030 clean power taskforce guy saying that queueing is like a british tradition? who does he think hes kidding