Removing zombie projects from queue for grid connections will help UK to reach clean power faster

15 April 2025 - RenewableUK press release

Commenting on today’s announcement by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero that clean energy projects will be prioritised for grid connections, RenewableUK's Director of Future Electricity Systems Barnaby Wharton said:

"We welcome this confirmation of decisive action to remove zombie projects from the massive queue for grid connections. Linking up new clean energy projects to the grid faster is vital to maximise the amount of low-cost clean power we can provide for homes, businesses and factories all over the UK. Grid connection delays of more than a decade mean that we aren't making the most of our exceptionally strong wind resources, especially at sea and in Scotland.

“The huge queue for grid connections across the entire energy sector now stands at around 750 gigawatts, but the first-come-first-served rules have meant that zombie projects have been blocking the vital new renewables and batteries we need to reach clean power by 2030. Speeding up the process for connecting up new projects could unlock up to £15 billion of investment in offshore wind alone by enabling this projects to go live in time to reach the Government's target of clean power by 2030, as well as strengthening the UK's energy security significantly".

More information on the Government’s announcement is available here.

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Notes

For further information, contact

Robert Norris, Head of Communications
07969 229 913 | Robert.Norris@RenewableUK.com

1. RenewableUK’s members are building our future energy system, powered by clean electricity. We bring them together to deliver that future faster; a future which is better for industry, billpayers, and the environment. We support over 500 member companies to ensure increasing amounts of renewable electricity are deployed across the UK and to access export markets all over the world. Our members are business leaders, technology innovators, and expert thinkers from right across industry.
   
   


2. The Government’s plan to achieve Clean Power by 2030 requires a significant expansion of the UK’s grid to connect and carry low carbon power around the country. To get there, we need to build grid infrastructure at four times the rate we have been over the past decade. RenewableUK’s new Clean Power Grid conference, taking place on 1 May in London, is our first conference and exhibition dedicated solely to the grid – with the 2030 goal at the heart of the programme. There we’ll discuss network expansion, the progress so far, and the critical next steps we need to take to deliver, and registrations are now open.
   
   


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