Britain has begun a ruthless purge of its energy pipeline, severing the lifeline for hundreds of stalled power projects to save its 2030 zero-carbon dream.

The crackdown targets “zombie” ventures—schemes existing only on paper—that have clogged the national grid for years, blocking viable green energy investments worth billions.

The Multi-Trillion Shilling Purge

The National Energy System Operator (Neso) confirmed on Monday that it is pulling the plug on more than half of the projects currently queuing for connection. This decisive action is designed to fast-track roughly £40 billion (approx. KES 6.7 trillion) in viable schemes essential for the country's transition to clean power.

For years, the British grid operated on a “first-come, first-served” basis. This model, similar to challenges faced by utility operators globally, allowed speculative developers to hoard connection rights without the capital or intent to build. The result was a suffocating backlog.

Ed Miliband, the UK Energy Secretary, did not mince words regarding the legacy of the old system.

“We inherited a broken system where zombie projects were allowed to hold up grid connections for viable projects that will bring investment, jobs and economic growth,” Miliband asserted. He emphasized that the reforms are a “once-in-a-generation” necessity to prioritize readiness over queue position.

From Gridlock to Green Power

The scale of the backlog illustrates the magnitude of the crisis. In just five years, the queue for grid connections exploded tenfold, reaching approximately 700GW. To put that in perspective:

• The current queue represents four times the total power capacity Britain needs by 2030.
• Many viable projects were facing delays of up to 15 years just to plug into the transmission lines.
• The new “readiness-first” approach will prioritize projects that can connect by 2030 or 2035.

This shift marks the conclusion of a two-year regulatory battle to clear the gridlock. Developers receiving rejection notices this week will see their projects removed to make way for “shovel-ready” infrastructure.

As nations worldwide, including Kenya, grapple with balancing grid stability against the influx of Independent Power Producers (IPPs), London’s aggressive stance sends a clear signal: in the race for net zero, holding a place in line is no longer enough—you must be ready to build.