I was at a very interesting lunch this week where the topic of grid connections was key in both the presentation and the questions. There was debate and discussion on the extent to which the market demand should be driving connections, or whether there should be a more centralised plan.
Ofgem has issued an open letter on connections reform. This includes reference to an existing scheme called ASTI – Accelerated Strategic Transmission Investment which allows more anticipatory investment, and a possible future plan called CNSP - Centralised Strategic Network Plan, which aims to identify the investment needed for net zero.
This had an interesting parallel to the NHS, on which a friend and I discussed last weekend. All of these topics are wrapped in politics and therefore progress is painfully slow and lacking long term direction.
There is a clear need for action.
My view is we need a series of long-term national infrastructure plans, here’s where I would start with the energy infrastructure version…
Grid connections – a central plan of the sites, in sufficient quantity, that are supported for development and auctioning connection at these locations. There is a long list of existing sites that should be at the top of the list. A use it or lose it approach would help push the pace.
Generation capacity – a similar scheme that identifies the required generation capacity for net zero, and licences generators providing them with long term funding for investments. Again, fail to develop results in exclusion.
Consumer engagement – this is the essential component to unlocking consenting. Unless we get people engaged these plans will be forever help up in local planning decisions. Perhaps a citizen’s assembly might help, but they will need good expert advice.
Perhaps we were better at these things in the 1970s? My position is that the task had more obvious benefits to consumers (central heating, cleaner gas, etc) and that there was a greater desire to modernise Britain. Today we face these tasks without full consensus on the need.
The next general election looms as a key milestone, and I fear that we won’t make progress until this is done.
