RenewableUK has said that Ofgem’s new net zero mandate will help to connect clean energy projects to the grid faster.
The UK Government has said that it will update the energy regulator Ofgem’s mandate to include a specific duty to help the Government to reach its net zero target.
Ofgem has welcomed the Government’s amendment to the Energy Bill giving the regulator a statutory net zero duty.
This will restate Ofgem’s principal objective to protect the interests of existing and future gas and electricity consumers, the watchdog said.
It will add a specific duty to do so by supporting the Government meet its legal obligation to get to net zero by 2050, as required by the Climate Change Act 2008.
RenewableUK’s director of future electricity systems Barnaby Wharton said: “The Government’s landmark decision to give Ofgem a new duty to deliver net zero is essential to change how we prioritise building vital new infrastructure to connect clean energy projects to the grid.
“We’ve been calling for this key amendment as a matter of urgency to tackle the glacial pace at which grid is approved and built.
“Some offshore wind projects are having to wait for more than ten years to get a grid connection.
“This measure will help to unlock at least £15bn of investment in offshore wind alone between now and the end of the decade.
“As wind is our cheapest source of new power, consumers will benefit from lower bills as we connect up more projects faster.
“The decision will also strengthen Britain’s energy security, moving us closer towards energy independence.”
Solar Energy UK also welcomed the announcement, saying it expects the change to result in a faster rollout of grid-scale solar projects, which can be subject to long delays in connecting to the electricity grid.
This should result in lower consumer bills, faster decarbonisation and more investment, jobs and economic growth.
Chris Hewett, chief executive of Solar Energy UK, said: “This was a common-sense decision by the Government.
“The era of costly renewables is long gone – consumer and environmental interests are now one and the same.
“The new amendment reflects the close relationship that we have with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, working together to run the new Solar Taskforce.
“There is a general consensus that slashing waiting times for grid connections is the body’s greatest priority.”