UK wind farm investment: Boost to renewables energy generation applies further pressure to creaking grid network
Sheena McGuinness, Co-Head of Energy and Natural Resources, at RSM UK reacts today’s UK wind farm investment: “Today’s news has the potential to accelerate the government’s ambition to make Britain a ‘Clean Energy Superpower’. However, giving the green light to more renewable projects adds more pressure on the UK’s creaking grid network. The nature of offshore wind presents a geographical challenge as energy is generated in remote areas and needs an efficient grid network to ensure the power can reach demand.
“In the first half of last year, only 63% of potential offshore wind generated energy reached the grid – resulting in £116m curtailment payments and representing more than 4 Terawatt hours of unusable wind power. In addition, new schemes face grid connection delays. We currently have 700 gigawatts of renewable capacity, which exceeds current electricity demand, queuing for connection.
“This demonstrates that our grid system just isn’t fit for today’s energy generation needs and requires significant investment to ensure the UK can achieve its ambitious net zero objectives. New projects are a positive step forward, but they need the right infrastructure to unlock the real potential of offshore wind.”