16 Aug Government supports energy transition plans to reduce grid infrastructure delivery times
Ministers will integrate new expert support on accelerating the energy infrastructure delivery times, including reforms to regulators and incentives for groups living near pylons, and wind turbine structures. Electricity Networks Commissioner recently published a new report with details on the necessary interventions required to accelerate the delivery of critical national energy infrastructure by the UK commitments on levelling up, energy security and net zero. The UK Government indicated that the delivery timescales for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs), including nuclear facilities and wind projects had increased by 65% between 2012 and 2021. No significant offshore wind projects had progressed through the NSIP stages without being called in. There are concerns regarding the implications of developing wind generation faster than the associated connections to customers, potentially resulting in high congestion consumer costs, and clean, affordable domestic energy generation standing idle for years.
While the Government and National Infrastructure Commission are progressing with planned reforms to accelerate this process, recent reports suggest additional interventions for NSIPs and smaller projects. There is a call for the Government to accelerate the development of future system operators (FSO), which would focus on delivering a plan and timelines for new electricity infrastructure. The new group plan would incorporate generation, storage, distribution and flexibility. An FSO would operate alongside the current Electricity System Operator at the National Grid, taking a longer-term perspective on the infrastructure changes required to enable the energy transition.
Included in recent reports are recommendations to streamline planning measures for distribution and storage infrastructure, plus additional smaller renewable energy facilities, to tackle any potential bottlenecks.
Payments for pylons
The National Grid is focused on what it believes is the most significant transformation of grid infrastructure and technologies in this generation, referred to as the Great Grid Upgrade. Recent reports recommend accelerating the project and enhancing the local buy-in by securing and displaying the benefits to communities impacted by pylon development and other significant projects. Without these resources and long-term guidance, communities will not be aware of when and how they will be affected by construction. Other industry experts suggest that the Government must implement a new public information campaign that defines clear rules on community benefit requirements on new infrastructure plans. These rules should mandate that developers provide payments to households within proximity to new transmission lines and community funds allocated to the local authority. Reports believe these measures could drastically reduce the delivery of transmission network infrastructure.
The future skills challenge
The recommendations in the latest report from the electricity networks commissioner Nick Winser come during a rising skills gap in the UK energy industry. Winser is calling for a complete review of the requirements for additional engineers and technicians to train and upskill for the coming years, with targets on increasing clean energy development and upgrading grid infrastructure. MPs for Science, Innovation and the Technology Committee recently warned ministers that up to 150,000 new professionals will be required to enter the nuclear industry by 2050. At present, the nuclear industry employs approximately 65,000 people.
The UK Government has shown support for Winsers report, meaning multiple, possibly all recommendations will be considered. A response to the letter is due to be published later this year. Andrew Bower, the Minister for Networks and Nuclear, explained that they will review Winser’s recommendations as they work towards delivering an energy system focused on renewables, nuclear and other clean, domestic technologies. Carl Trowell, the president of strategic infrastructure at National Grid, emphasised that there is no time to waste in delivering the proposal highlighted in the Winser report.
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