‘Lack of vision’: UK green energy projects in limbo as grid struggles to keep pace

(The Guardian, 8 May 2023) Clean electricity plans stuck for years because of ‘negligence’ by governments over modernising network, say renewable energy developers.

“If the government had a consistent well-thought-through vision, this would have been absolutely obvious,” says Harald Överholm.

The chief executive of the Swedish solar firm Alight is one of many frustrated renewable energy developers hoping to build green energy projects to power Britain’s homes and businesses with affordable, clean electricity. The catch? These projects could be forced to wait more than a decade for a chance to connect to the UK’s electricity grid, as Britain suffers the longest backlog in Europe.

Windfarms, solar arrays, and battery projects are stuck in gridlock for up to 15 years as the UK’s electricity grid struggles to keep pace with the appetite for more clean energy – including a car factory being forced to wait until 2037.

The delays threaten to undermine decades of work to attract the investment needed to support the UK’s clean energy ambitions, and risks derailing Britain’s progress towards legally binding climate targets.

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The Guardian, 8 May 2023: ‘Lack of vision’: UK green energy projects in limbo as grid struggles to keep pace