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Grid connections and energy for new projects: what it means for climate tech start-ups
How do grid connection reforms affect climate tech projects?
Updated 6 November 2026 from public records. 12 items below.
At a glance
- 12 records from the last 120 days, 9 naming climate tech directly
- No consultation on this open right now
- Most active: Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
- Latest record: 5 November 2026
Getting a connection to the electricity grid has become one of the slowest steps in building anything that uses a lot of power. The network operators and Ofgem are reforming the queue, and government is steering capacity towards priority projects. For energy and compute businesses, where they sit in that queue can decide when they can operate. Ofgem on connections.
What it means for your start-up
The connection queue is being reordered so that projects that are ready and needed come first, rather than the earliest to apply; new offers are going out in phases to early 2027. For a battery, solar, wind or other clean energy project, whether you meet the readiness tests decides where you sit in the queue, and so when you can start earning.
What to do now
- Check your project against the readiness criteria in the reformed process, such as land rights and planning.
- Follow Ofgem's and the system operator's decisions on the queue and any appeals routes.
- Respond to consultations on further network charges and reforms, which change project costs.
Latest from government
Marked: mentions climate tech directly.
- Global Clean Power Alliance
The Global Clean Power Alliance (GCPA) brings together international partners through two missions focused on accelerating the transition to clean power. - Energy licence modification appeals 2026
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has published its final determinations and order in the appeals by 5 energy companies against modifications made on 3 February 2026 to gas distribution licences, following… - CAC Outcome: PCS & Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem)
Outcome(s) by the Central Arbitration Committee on an application from the PCS. - Great British Grid to speed up connections and cut bills
Families and businesses across the country will benefit from faster grid connections.
In Parliament
Marked: mentions climate tech directly.
- What steps her Department is taking to enable grid connections for decarbonising (a) road freight vehicles, (b) shipping and (c) operations at ports and inland…
Asked by Lee Barron (Lab). National Grid: Carbon Emissions — The Government is undertaking a range of measures to ensure electricity grid infrastructure meets future demand, including strategic energy planning and… - What recent progress Great British Energy has made in developing its Local Power Plan to support community-owned clean energy projects.
Asked by Chris Bloore (Lab). Clean Energy — Through up to £1 billion investment in a combination of grants, loans, advice, expert help and more, the Local Power Plan will accelerate the build out of clean power in… - What progress they have made on the expansion of renewable energy generation.
Asked by Baroness Griffin of Princethorpe (Lab). Renewable Energy — We are delivering on our ambitious plan to move our electricity system to clean power that we control – breaking our dependence on imported fossil… - What steps they are taking to reduce the UK's reliance on international fossil fuels and to achieve clean, cheap, homegrown power.
Asked by Baroness Griffin of Princethorpe (Lab). Clean Energy — Over the course of 2025, almost two-thirds of Britain’s electricity generation came from clean power. We have seen over £110 billion in private… - What recent assessment she has made of progress towards the Clean Energy Mission.
Asked by Dan Norris (Ind). Clean Energy — Over the course of 2025, almost two-thirds of Britain’s electricity generation came from clean power. We have seen over £110 billion in private investment announced into… - What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the time taken to confirm hydrogen transport and storage funding on private investment in…
Asked by Graham Stuart (Con). Hydrogen: Storage and Transport — Hydrogen can help reindustrialise Britain by cutting emissions from heavy industry and providing clean power, helping to maintain our manufacturing… - What estimate her Department has made of the proportion of off-grid homes which are suitable for a hydronic heat pump.
Asked by Josh Newbury (Lab). Heat Pumps: Housing — A home’s suitability for a heat pump depends on several factors such as sufficient internal and external space, peak current draw of the grid connection, and the… - Whether his Department is considering (a) reducing and (b) reprofiling funding for hydrogen transport and storage.
Asked by Graham Stuart (Con). Hydrogen: Storage and Transport — The government recognises that Hydrogen can help reindustrialise Britain by cutting emissions from heavy industry and providing clean power, helping to…
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Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0. General information, not legal advice.