The government has unveiled plans for future offshore transmission connections, looking to move away from the developer-led approach to something more coordinated.
The Offshore Transmission Network Review (OTNR) was launched back in 2020, seeking to review the approach to the design and delivery of offshore transmission. In this, the government noted the old way was no longer fit for purpose, with something new needed to ensure decarbonisation and net zero ambitions are not derailed. Having consulted on proposals for developing and deploying offshore wind and associated transmission infrastructure, interconnectors and multi-purpose interconnectors, the government has now unveiled a series of recommendations for a future framework, which have the support of OTNR partners and will now be taken forwards.
This will see the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) working with project partners to develop options for a strategic approach to the deployment of offshore wind, interconnectors and multi-purpose interconnectors that is able to evolve over time, as roles and responsibilities change.
DESNZ will work with the devolved administrations in service of this, considering options that set a clear long-term view of the volume of offshore wind and interconnectors. This will include options for where this responsibility could lie in the future. This should also consider recommendations from the Electricity Networks Commissioner, as well as a holistic and improved approach to prioritising and protecting the marine environment to allow seabed leasing to be undertaken in a more strategic way.
Further actions in support of this will see the Electricity System Operator (ESO) and The Crown Estate, Crown Estate Scotland and Marine Scotland all work together to incorporate network considerations in the seabed leasing processes; for the ESO to deliver Centralised Strategic Network Planning, as it can better consider cumulative impacts from electricity network infrastructure; and conduct environmental assessments ahead of the designation of seabed leasing areas.
Elsewhere, it is recommending delivery models are adopted that maximise efficiency in terms of both cost and risk, with DESNZ to work with Ofgem to consider appropriate models that can maximise consumer benefits from competition, while still giving the right incentives for innovation and efficient deployment of transmission. It suggested Ofgem and DESNZ should consider aligning the onshore and offshore competition regimes as far as possible as well, streamlining arrangements and once more maximising efficiency.
It is also calling for the timing of transmission design and delivery to be considered. In particular, this should see Ofgem undertake further analysis on the optimum timing of detailed design and delivery of transmission infrastructure to determine the changes that are needed for a future framework delivery approach. It detailed how taking amore forward-looking approach to the location and timing of new offshore wind developments can cut the risk of investing in strategic network infrastructure ahead of need.
