Ofgem tells power grid operators to connect more renewables

Ofgem is challenging local electricity grid owners to connect more renewables to their systems. According to the regulator, the growth of green generation is “huge” as 8.6GW of solar capacity […]

Ofgem is challenging local electricity grid owners to connect more renewables to their systems.

According to the regulator, the growth of green generation is “huge” as 8.6GW of solar capacity was installed in the country by December last year- 15 years ahead of forecasts.

Western Power Distribution (WPD) is taking the lead in connecting renewables, it stated.

WPD is reconfiguring part of its grid so that 7.6GW of generators, out of which 4.8GW are solar, are waiting to be connected to the system.

Ofgem is also calling on electricity Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) to speed up power connections.

Dermot Nolan, CEO at Ofgem said: “We want DNOs to take creative approaches to speeding up renewable connections. They can do this firstly by making best use of their existing grids as WPD has done. We are also calling on DNOs to enable earlier investment in new capacity where necessary using funding in their price controls. This means that they won’t be adding extra costs onto your bill.”

A report from the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) revealed consumers could see savings worth up to £8 billion a year by 2030 by using electricity in a “smart” way.

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