The GB Energy System and market are rapidly changing due to an increased demand for capacity. The energy network will need to plan for a future of electrified transport, heat, and digital assets, as well as foster the vision of the country to become a tech and science superpower.

Alongside the Autumn Statement, the Treasury published the outcome of the Pro-innovation Regulation of Technologies Review, led by Sir Patrick Vallance. It recommended that stakeholders report major constraints in accessing grid connections and there is estimated to be up to 320GW of capacity currently in the queue for a connection. A primary reason is the existing connections process which has not kept pace with technology. 

The connections process was designed 20 years ago at a time when connection applications were made by a small number of large fossil fuel generators; it was not designed for the volume of applications we see today across a variety of low-carbon generation technologies.

In this workshop we will work with members to define techUK’s short- and long-term recommendations on how to address connection issues and energy capacity for the future.

We will work together with energy intensive industry representatives, data centre operators and energy companies.

Chair: Rich Hampshire - Vice President Consulting Expert at CGI and Chair of techUK's Smart Energy and Utilities Steering Board

Agenda

14:00 – Welcome and introduction

  • Richard Hampshire - Chair Smart Energy and Utilities Steering Board techUK
  • Luisa Cardani – Head of Data Centres, techUK

14:10 – Scene setting – Rich Hampshire

  • techUK’s strategy and action plan – Luisa Cardani

14:20 – Scoping session 1 – Moderated by Rich Hampshire

  • Ofgem open letter proposals
  • Ofgem recommendations review and feedback
  • National Grid report

15:00 – Scoping session 2 - Moderated by Rich Hampshire

  • techUK’s position – tech industry view
  • Members’ barriers to grid connectivity and capacity
  • techUK recommendations

15:40 – Overview of action plan and Q&A

15:50 – Final remarks

16:00 – End

Luisa C. Cardani

Luisa C. Cardani

Head of Data Centres Programme, techUK

Teodora Kaneva

Teodora Kaneva

Head of Smart Infrastructure and Systems, techUK