Introduction

Renewable energy has become a vital component of the UK's energy mix in recent years, as the country aims to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and meet its climate change targets. However, the lack of grid connectivity is increasingly being viewed as a significant threat to the UK's renewable energy space.

The UK government has set ambitious targets for renewable energy generation, to produce 50 GW of offshore wind power by 2030. This target is expected to help the UK meet its commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. However, the success of these goals is largely dependent on the availability of grid connectivity.

Current State of the UK’s Grid Infrastructure

The UK's grid infrastructure was built to serve traditional fossil fuel power plants, which are typically located close to urban areas. As a result, many of the country's most promising renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, are located in remote and rural areas. This poses a significant challenge to developers, who must invest in expensive grid infrastructure to connect their renewable energy projects to the main grid.

The lack of grid connectivity is particularly acute in Scotland, where the majority of the country's renewable energy potential lies. Scotland has vast wind and tidal energy resources, but many of these resources are located in remote areas where the grid infrastructure is inadequate. As a result, developers face significant barriers to connecting their renewable energy projects to the grid.

The lack of grid connectivity is also a significant issue for offshore wind farms, which are often located far from shore. These wind farms require significant investment in subsea cables to connect them to the grid, which can be costly and time-consuming. In some cases, developers have had to postpone or cancel their offshore wind projects due to the lack of grid connectivity. Back on land, the National Farmers Union has recently criticised regulations that are blocking farmers in Scotland from connecting renewable energy sources on their farms.

The lack of grid connectivity is not just a technical challenge, but also a financial one. Connecting a renewable energy project to the grid can be a significant expense, and developers may struggle to secure financing without a clear plan for grid connectivity. This can create a vicious cycle, where the lack of financing makes it difficult to invest in the grid infrastructure necessary for renewable energy projects to succeed.

The UK grid connectivity sector is also facing significant staffing challenges, with a shortage of skilled workers in key areas such as electrical engineering, project management, and construction. In many respects, the renewable energy sector is a victim of its success, with demand for new projects far outstripping capacity.

How can the UK mitigate its lack of Grid Connectivity in the short term?

Despite these challenges, several promising developments in the UK's renewable energy space could help to overcome the lack of grid connectivity. One such development is the growth of energy storage technology, which can help to smooth out the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources such as wind and solar. By storing excess energy during periods of high production, energy storage systems can release the stored energy during periods of low production, helping to ensure a steady and reliable supply of renewable energy.

Another promising development is the growth of microgrids, which are self-contained energy systems that can operate independently of the main grid. Microgrids can be particularly useful in remote areas, where connecting to the main grid is not feasible. By combining renewable energy sources with energy storage and smart control systems, microgrids can provide a reliable and sustainable source of energy for local communities.

Can the UK learn any lessons from other countries' approaches to grid connectivity?

Whilst many countries are struggling with grid connectivity such as Australia and the US, there are also several countries with successful grid connection strategies. It can be hard for the UK to emulate Iceland with its geothermal and hydroelectric resources or Belgium because of scale. Perhaps the best overseas case study would be Japan. So what are the key factors that have shaped Japanese success?

One of the key factors behind Japan's success is its regulatory framework, which has been designed to encourage investment in renewable energy and promote grid connection. The country's feed-in tariff system, for example, provides a stable and predictable income stream for renewable energy developers. In contrast, its renewable portfolio standard requires utilities to generate a certain percentage of their electricity from renewable sources.

Another important factor in Japan's success is its commitment to energy security and sustainability. Following the Fukushima nuclear disaster in 2011, Japan began to shift away from nuclear power and towards renewable energy. This has helped to reduce the country's reliance on imported fossil fuels and increase its energy security, while also helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote a more sustainable energy system.

Finally, Japan's strong public-private partnerships have helped to drive innovation and investment in renewable energy. The country has established several public-private partnerships, such as the Green Investment Group, which provides financing and support for renewable energy projects.

Overall, Japan's grid connection strategy has been successful because of its strong regulatory framework, advanced technology and innovation, commitment to energy security and sustainability, and its public-private partnerships. These factors have helped to create a supportive environment for renewable energy development and promote a more sustainable and secure energy system.

Five ways to support grid connectivity in the UK for the longer term?

Investment in Grid Infrastructure

The UK government and energy companies should invest in grid infrastructure, particularly in remote and rural areas, to connect renewable energy projects to the grid. This could include building new transmission lines, upgrading existing infrastructure, and investing in subsea cables to connect offshore wind farms. Such investments will require significant funding, but they will provide long-term benefits for the renewable energy sector and the UK as a whole.

Microgrids and Local Networks

Microgrids and local energy networks are another way to address the lack of grid connectivity. These networks allow for renewable energy projects to be connected to smaller, local grids that can operate independently of the main grid. This approach is particularly useful in remote areas where the cost of connecting to the main grid is high. Microgrids and local networks can be established through partnerships between renewable energy project developers and local communities, creating a more sustainable and resilient energy system. Although earlier in this discussion we avoided discussing Iceland, one of the major factors in their success has been the relentless focus on supporting local and especially rural/remote communities.

Energy Storage

Energy storage is another critical component in fixing the lack of grid connectivity for renewable energy projects. Energy storage systems primarily such as batteries, but also pumped hydro can store excess energy produced by renewable energy projects during periods of high production, and release it during periods of low production. This helps to balance the energy supply and demand and reduces the need for expensive grid infrastructure investments. Currently, the UK is lagging on energy storage investment – two leading UK trade organisations, Energy UK and Renewable UK have both released reports suggesting the UK is being squeezed out by the US and Europe in energy storage

Government Support

The UK government can provide support for renewable energy projects through better financial incentives and regulatory frameworks that encourage investment in grid infrastructure and renewable energy. This could include subsidies, tax incentives, and streamlined regulatory processes. Government support would also help to attract investment from the private sector, stimulating growth in the renewable energy sector.

Workforce Development

Finally, addressing the lack of grid connectivity for renewable energy projects in the UK requires investment in workforce development. The renewable energy sector requires skilled workers in areas such as electrical engineering, project management, and construction. The UK can address this shortage by investing in training and apprenticeships and considering easier immigration policies for workers in the transmission and distribution space.

Closing Thoughts

The UK is quite rightly proud of its renewable energy ambitions until as recently as 2021, the UK was the biggest user of offshore wind energy. As a country, the targets that have been set for renewable energy capacity growth are amazing but need to be met with an equally ambitious vision for grid connectivity and energy security. It's not too late but there is a need for a change in approach, to technologies invested in, engagement with local communities and rural connectivity and ultimately how we staff and grow the workforce.