National Grid surpasses more than 3 GW of renewable generation connected to its network

Published on January 24, 2022 by Chris Galford


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© National Grid

Within the last week, National Grid crossed a major green milestone by connecting more than 3 GW of total renewable distributed generation throughout its network, thanks to record-breaking solar additions in 2021.

In all, 2021 saw more than 525 MW of solar projects added to National Grid’s network across New York, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. This outpaced the previous year – and its previous record – of 470 MW for a single year. As part of this continued rollout, the company is also exploring distributed energy resource management systems and smart inverters, deploying scalable demonstration projects to assess new prospects.

“This milestone reflects our company’s commitment toward making a Net Zero future a reality,” Badar Khan, president of National Grid US, said. “We are striving to connect solar and distributed generation projects as quickly as possible and are proud to be making rapid progress. By connecting these projects to the grid, we’re helping states meet their clean energy goals and delivering more renewables to our customers. We are committed to finding a way to ensure fair and equitable clean energy for our customers and connecting clean, affordable solar power is one way we’re doing that.”

In support of these efforts, the company noted that it seeks development and construction of nearly $5 billion in transmission and distribution upgrades. These will also help address the renewable targets spurring its efforts on the East Coast. National Grid intends to spend up to $4 billion in New York to add up to 5,000 MW of renewable capacity and $700 million in Massachusetts to add up to 1,200 MW of new capacity.

New York, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island have ambitious clean energy goals. For example, Rhode Island hopes to reach entirely renewable sourced electricity by 2030. Its larger neighbors set the bar a little lower, with New York intending to reach 70 percent renewable sourced electricity that year and Massachusetts aiming for 40 percent. Such goals have helped Rhode Island become the top state for total solar installed per square mile — and National Grid services most of that territory.

“In the race to reach 100 percent clean energy, every electron counts,” Joe Curtatone, president of the Northeast Clean Energy Council, said. “And when those electrons lead to gigawatts, that’s when you’re making serious progress. National Grid has reached a milestone worthy of recognition. Utilities are – and must continue to be – partners in the just transition to a clean energy economy. We look forward to many gigawatts to come.”

National Grid intends to continue adding to its renewable efforts throughout 2022, thanks to increased connection applications and new cost allocation arrangements to come in New York and Massachusetts. Those arrangements should also reduce the costs holding back various electric distribution modifications.