Battery storage connection queue surplus highlighted

The Government and Ofgem have highlighted the risks to connections reform delivery from the high volume of battery storage projects in the queue.

In an open letter from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and the regulator, the connections reform process is described as “critical” to achieving clean power targets.

It said data errors in historic connection agreements had led to significant delays, but warned that further slippage is not acceptable”.

The letter highlighted emerging risks for certain technologies, in particular, a high volume of battery storage projects advancing to Gate 2 compared to the capacity ranges set out in the Clean Power 2030 Action Plan.

Although the reform process removed many non-viable battery projects and significantly reduced the queue, there is still 14.8 GW above the top of the Action Plan battery capacity range for 2030 and 61.7 GW above the projected battery system need in 2035.

The Government and regulator said they are working closely with NESO and the network companies to understand the effects of the battery surplus.