By Professor Maurizio Bragagni OBE, Chairman & CEO at Tratos UK
Technology has become the focus in the move towards decarbonisation. What we can use to maximise the potential of solar and wind, how we can enhance vehicle electrification, and what can be done at the consumer level. And these are all important questions, but while they dominate the conversation, something equally important is being overlooked: how will all these new technologies connect to the electricity network?
Across the UK and Europe, that question is becoming increasingly difficult to answer. Investment in renewable generation, storage, and electrification is growing, yet many projects are finding themselves tangled in lengthy delays because the infrastructure to enable connection simply isn’t there. Not because of a lack of technology, or even finance, but because the infrastructure needed to connect new generation and demand can’t keep pace. That’s why connectivity needs to become more of a priority.
Planning for what comes next
The established approach to electricity network development has been to follow demand. Capacity would be assessed when a developer applied for a connection. But the number and scale of connection requests are rising dramatically, which, along with the new sources of generation in new locations, makes that model infeasible. The demands on electricity networks are unlike anything we’ve seen before, and providers simply aren’t ready to accommodate it, and a new approach is called for.
It’s time to start thinking beyond individual connection applications and start planning the network around the energy system we are trying to create, before we reach a point where delays become unavoidable, and decarbonisation grinds to a halt.
Supply chains cannot be an afterthought
Supply chain also plays a part in this. Large infrastructure projects require years of planning. There’s consenting, design, procurement, and construction to work through. Yet the companies and supply chains responsible for delivering critical infrastructure are not always involved early enough in that process. And that matters when it comes to things like cabling.
The cabling infrastructure needed to support decarbonisation depends on highly specialised equipment and expertise. Medium- and high-voltage cable systems, for example, require specialist manufacturing facilities, materials, engineering capability, and installation resources. They are not something that can be ordered at scale at short notice. And yet too often, that’s exactly what’s happening. But when you bring supply chain partners into the early design and planning stages, you can avoid the delays that are becoming so common across the industry.
There are wider benefits to be unlocked
Addressing this issue is not simply about getting an individual project connected. It’s about improving the efficiency of the energy system as a whole. When you make early engagement between developers, network operators, manufacturers, policymakers, and supply chain standard practice, you create greater visibility, helping infrastructure providers to better prepare for demand, while avoiding the constraints that so negatively impact project schedules.
It can also help identify bottlenecks earlier, at a point when there is still an opportunity to address them. Delays can have significant consequences when you’re working at such a large scale. It’s not just a question of time, but costs for developers and undue pressure for both networks and supply chains.
Infrastructure must be prioritised
Decarbonisation is already underway. The UK’s first commercial wind farm, Delabole, opened in Cornwall in 1991. Official figures from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero show that the UK currently hosts 817 active wind farms alongside roughly 1,336 operational solar installations, with thousands of additional projects in development. However, achieving a successful transition to a low-carbon energy grid demands far more than expanding renewable generation capacity alone. It needs smart and adequate infrastructure.
Every point of energy generation needs to connect to the network. Electricity needs to move to where it is required. Demand needs to be managed. Networks need to have sufficient capacity to support a system that is becoming increasingly dependent on electricity. And we don’t yet have the grid infrastructure to deal with that. Which is why we need a new approach, encompassing the following:
First, smart grid technology and digital monitoring are essential. Operators must deploy them to manage real-time power flows dynamically. Digitalising grid management allows operators to maximise existing line capacity. It also helps integrate variable renewable outputs more efficiently and respond quickly to shifting demand patterns.
Second, regulatory frameworks and funding models must adapt to support anticipatory investment. Current system regulations often restrict network operators from expanding capacity ahead of immediate demand. This creates bottlenecks that slow down the entire decarbonisation effort.
Third, expanding cross-border interconnectors is essential for balancing regional energy. Linking national and regional grids enables surplus renewable power generated in one area to offset deficits in another. This ensures grid stability and reduces localised supply risks.
Fourth, specific supply chain bottlenecks must be tackled directly through long-term procurement strategies. Critical equipment like high-voltage transformers and specialised cabling require extended lead times. Therefore, early manufacturer collaboration is vital to prevent project halts.
Finally, streamlining permitting processes while securing public acceptance is crucial for timely execution. Delays in planning approvals and community concerns frequently stall infrastructure builds. This highlights the need for transparent community engagement and modernised consenting pathways.
Utilities and network operators need to provide greater visibility of their long-term requirements and to engage earlier with the companies responsible for delivering the infrastructure they need. While policymakers and regulators need to recognise everything that is actually involved in expanding the existing networks. And developers need to understand that grid connection has to be addressed so much earlier, if they wish to avoid delays. That’s the only way that we are going to be in a position to meet demand.
Low carbon energy solutions are a vital element of the UK’s energy infrastructure, but they can’t deliver their full potential in isolation. The grid is what makes them viable and valuable. And if we fail to build that connectivity, investment in new technology can only be held back by infrastructure that was designed for a very different energy system.
