Tag: Ofgem

Ofgem acts to free up grid capacity by tackling speculative data centre projects

Stuart Mitchell

Ofgem has launched a consultation on plans to tackle speculative data centre projects in Britain’s electricity connections queue, as part of a wider programme of reforms to ensure network capacity is used for projects that are ready and able to connect.   The proposals – which include the introduction of a commitment fee and new project progress milestones – come as demand connection applications have surged from 41 gigawatts (GW) to 125GW, in under a year. This rise is driven largely by data centre projects, accounting for at least 80GWs. The reforms will help:  protect…

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New community-led project to explore bringing free or low‑cost energy support to North East households

Stuart Mitchell

The Social Virtual Power Plant (Social VPP) project has been awarded £150,000 from Ofgem’s Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF).  Led by LCP Delta and the Centre for Energy Equality on behalf of Northern Powergrid, the project will explore how to improve access to energy flexibility for households and SMEs across the North East of England who may otherwise be unable to participate. The initiative ultimately aims to provide free or low‑cost batteries to households, helping them store energy and use it during peak times to reduce bills through time‑of‑day tariffs The project will assess…

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Ofgem unlocks early investment for slew of fast-track clean power projects

Stuart Mitchell

Great Britain’s energy security and clean power ambitions have received a major boost after Ofgem greenlit early construction funding for a number of major electricity transmission projects.    Last month Ofgem has approved Early Construction Funding (ECF) requests for the following projects:  Eight Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission Plc (SHET) electricity transmission projects. Sealink, a proposed NGET transmission project between Suffolk and Kent to provide transmission system reinforcement in the south and east regions.  The projects are part of the Accelerated Strategic Transmission Investment (ASTI) framework, Ofgem’s streamlined process will help…

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Britain on fast track to net zero with early access to £4 billion infrastructure investment

Stuart Mitchell

British renewable energy projects will be connected quicker thanks to new Ofgem rules granting early access to almost £4 billion of investment for crucial transmission equipment and services.  The regulator’s new Advanced Procurement Mechanism (APM) will unblock supply chains by allowing Britain’s electricity transmission owners (TOs) to buy essential equipment – such as switchgear, cables and steel – years in advance of when it is needed.  This streamlined process will ensure green-lit projects are ready to break ground as soon as planning approval is granted, allowing TOs to avoid delays,…

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Energy sector taskforce unites to tackle Radio Teleswitch challenge

Stuart Mitchell

Energy suppliers and other stakeholders have committed to working together to replace 800,000 Radio Teleswitch (RTS) meters across the United Kingdom before the service is switched off next summer.  The agreement follows a summit, organised by the energy regulator Ofgem, gathering suppliers and stakeholders including Energy UK and Citizens Advice to find a joint solution to the challenge of migrating households from the ageing technology before the service ends on 30 June 2025.  The RTS system, which uses long wave radio signals to tell some electricity meters to switch between on…

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