Renewable industry reaction to the Winser report's Govt endorsement - ‘a massive positive step’

Responding to the Energy Secretary’s endorsement of a report by Nick Winser on how Britain can speed up the construction of electricity networks, Kona Energy Founder Andy Willis commented:

“The greatest obstacle on our path to net zero is not investment difficulties or technological challenges - it’s actually getting renewable projects connected to the grid. Even three years ago, the idea that these delays could undo so much hard work was unfathomable.”

“Estimates put the the value of renewable projects currently sitting in the queue at over £200 billion, with many waiting up to fifteen years for a connection. The international investment community is acutely aware of the situation, so today’s news is a massive positive step in the right direction.”

“Removing regulatory barriers and providing significant investment in the connections process will lubricate the whole system, getting battery storage sites like Kona’s online years earlier than is currently expected. Without a concerted central effort to construct the necessary electrical infrastructure these projects, which could be pumping clean energy into millions of homes, will remain unconnected."

"As the Economist rightly pointed out - hug pylons, not trees."

"If the pace of action is sufficient, the current downward trend of the UK’s renewable progress can and will be reversed. Government deserve credit for acknowledging the scale of the problem, but we now need delivery.”

“That will save families money on their energy bills, increase our energy security and help to deliver the zero-carbon future. There is really no time to waste.”