Kona Energy is a clean energy development company focused on grid-scale battery storage projects, with a wide portfolio of ongoing projects across the UK which have been impacted by connection delays.
“Grid connection delays are no secret in the sector, but the eye-watering figure of £200 billion should sharpen minds in Government” said Kona Energy Founder, Andy Willis, commenting on the new research. “Our renewable energy industry is the envy of the world, but these waits are crippling our green reputation. Investors are acutely aware of the inhospitable environment and the money will stop coming. Make no mistake - the international investment community is watching and they will not hesitate to divert funds elsewhere. It’s already happening.”
Mr Willis added that urgent reform of the connections queue and allowing private companies to build some of the necessary connection infrastructure would drastically cut these waits and encourage competition.
“More of the same is not an option” Mr Willis said. “We have to try something different as the problem is only going to get worse. Kona has projects gathering dust that could have already been constructed and operational, but we are at the mercy of connection times. In my view, this is the single biggest threat to delivering net zero and unless the Government tackles it with the attention it deserves, we will all fail.”
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