Ofgem and the National Energy System Operator have announced the biggest shake-up of Britain’s grid connections process to date, prioritising “shovel-ready” renewable projects and clearing out speculative or stalled applications.
But with network firms and energy generators having made billions during the energy crisis, much of it flowing to offshore ‘vampire funds’, campaigners are demanding a just transition that puts people before profits, a focus on community energy projects and delivering fairer bills for households.
A spokesperson for the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, commented:
“Reforming the grid connection system a necessary move that will help unlock cheaper, cleaner, homegrown energy and bring us closer to an energy system that ends fuel poverty.
“But faster grid access must be matched by real accountability for how network firms and energy generators spend and profit. These companies have made billions during the energy crisis — with profits flowing to offshore investors and so-called ‘vampire funds’.
“This reform must not become an excuse for blank cheque infrastructure spending that inflates standing charges while delivering poor value for households.
“And it must be a fair process, so it’s not just a case of those projects with a healthy lobbying budget get preferential treatment. Community energy projects, which deliver cheaper power for customers and have local control and accountability built in, must not be excluded or pushed to the bottom of the queue.
“To truly fix Britain’s broken energy system, we need grid reform, fair pricing, investment in energy efficiency and a social tariff to ensure the transition benefits everyone — not just big investors.”