Grid or network readiness is among the top three barriers to delivering energy infrastructure for 59% of UK energy leaders surveyed by Jacobs, the highest share among the five countries in its Energy Readiness Equation report, published on 27 October. The survey covered 600 energy leaders in the UK, the United States, Germany, Singapore and Australia.

By comparison, 51% of US respondents ranked grid readiness among their top three barriers, against 48% in Germany, Australia and Singapore. In the UK, 69% of leaders believed sufficient capital was available for the energy sector, but only 31% thought there were enough investable projects.

Policy uncertainty and permitting add to the drag

Policy and regulatory uncertainty is another major constraint: seven out of ten UK respondents ranked it among their top three barriers to investment readiness, while 66% identified permitting or land constraints. In addition, 57% said the readiness of other infrastructure systems outside their direct control places a major or critical constraint on energy delivery.

Jacobs global low carbon solutions director Alan Fotheringham said the UK is making important progress in planning its future energy system, but a plan only delivers value when it becomes infrastructure on the ground. The difficulties are already visible in connection dates: in February, Ofgem confirmed that 210 previously protected energy projects would have their original connection dates or connection points changed, including around 135 affected by network-related issues.

Sources: New Civil Engineer and Electrical Review, both reporting Jacobs' Energy Readiness Equation.