#63 Questioning the caps and SSEP transparency with Ed Birkett, New Projects Director, Low Carbon

The UK’s grid is at breaking point. Thousands of energy projects are stuck in the queue, and many may never get built. In this episode of the Connectology® podcast, Ed Birkett from Low Carbon joins Kyle Murchie and Catherine Cleary to explain what’s going wrong—and what needs to change.

Together, they dive into the challenges facing the UK’s grid connection process, from overloaded queues to “zombie projects” that block real progress.

Key topics discussed includes:

• Why the grid queue is five times bigger than it needs to be

• The risks of relying too heavily on uncertain technologies like floating offshore wind

• Why project drop-out (attrition) is being ignored—and how that could derail 2030 clean power targets

• The need for public consultation and better data in future planning

• How co-locating solar and battery storage can ease pressure on the grid—but is being overlooked

Ed also sounds the alarm on how secretive and rushed decision-making could lead to poor outcomes—and why transparency is essential as we move toward the Strategic Spatial Energy Plan.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone involved in renewable energy, policy, or planning in the UK!

Ed's LinkedIn post - what are the risks in NESO's reforms to the grid queue? https://www.linkedin.com/posts/edwardbirkett_lc-response-to-ofgem-connections-reform-m2-activity-7309878224090464257-Rk4j?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAABcpJLkBqpA9EUs8BicHQToAo6NV08hd4lU

 

Recorded 08 July 2025

Our links:

Website: https://roadnighttaylor.co.uk/

Newsletter sign up: https://roadnighttaylor.co.uk/newsletter/

Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/roadnight-taylor-ltd/

Find if we fit at info@roadnighttaylor.co.uk