The Electricity Networks Commissioner’s report sets out an ambition to half the time taken to deliver major grid investment with some sensible recommendations. Regen’s CEO Merlin Hyman, and director Johnny Gowdy share their thoughts.
Responding to the independent report from the UK’s Electricity Network Commissioner published today [04 August 2023], Merlin Hyman, CEO at Regen, commented:
“Ask anyone investing in renewable energy about the biggest challenge they face and chances are they will cite challenges with the grid. The UK’s electricity networks are critical infrastructure to end our reliance on expensive imported gas and tackle global heating.
We, therefore, welcome the Electricity Network Commissioner’s report today setting out recommendations to halve the time to deliver grid infrastructure.
We urge Grant Shapps and the government to implement the recommendations urgently in full. The response from the Secretary of State to the recommendations is polite and positive, but disappointingly non-committal. A net zero ready grid needs to be a national priority.
The government and Ofgem have promised a grid Connections Action Plan this summer. This will be a key test of their commitment to action on the grid to unblock the queue of renewables, storage and electric car charging projects we urgently need to get built.”
Download the response here
For further information, please contact:
Estelle Limon, Policy Manager at elimon@regen.co.uk or 07875175063
Notes to editors
- The independent report from the Electricity Network Commissioner can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/accelerating-electricity-transmission-network-deployment-electricity-network-commissioners-recommendations
- Regen published a report in May 2023 which outlines the challenges and solutions to prepare Britain’s electricity network for net zero: https://www.regen.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Building-a-GB-electricity-network-ready-for-net-zero.pdf
About Regen
Regen is an independent centre of energy expertise with a mission to accelerate the transition to a zero carbon energy system. www.regen.co.uk