Under new connection process from DESNZ, 221GW of projects that applied for firm connection agreements, but were not needed for 2035 or were no longer progressing, have been moved out of the main queue.

Alongside this, many other projects were self-selected for removal, meaning the total capacity is even higher.

The Government has been keen to reform the connections system for generation, storage, and interconnection, working with NESO and Ofgem, and although it has created a more fluid pipeline, DESNZ admits that reform has faced significant delays due to data errors in historic connection agreements, and the need for NESO and network companies to rework network studies and planning.

The issue of the connections queue keening demonstrates the emerging risks for certain technologies, in particular, a high volume of battery storage. The Government and Ofgem have strongly supported the deployment of batteries as a method for energy storage above other systems, and, as set out in the 2025 Clean Flexibility Roadmap, to maintaining a market environment that supports the deployment of 23-27 GW of grid-scale batteries by 2030.

Although this reform process has removed many non‑viable battery projects and significantly reduced the queue, there is still 14.8GW of battery capacity range need to reach 2030 targets and 61.7 GW of extra projected battery systems needed by 2035.

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