Renewables dominate 95% of US interconnection queues amid backlog increase
POWER & RENEWABLE ENERGY

Renewables dominate 95% of US interconnection queues amid backlog increase

There are nearly 12,000 power projects in the US seeking grid connection, with an overwhelming majority of them based on renewable sources. The combined capacity of these projects is 1,570 GW, with an additional 1,030 GW for storage. It was reported that renewable sources make up 95% of the total capacity in the active queue, and approximately 94% (about 1,480 GW) of the proposed generation capacity is zero-carbon, as per a recent Berkeley Lab report.

Utilities and regional grid operators require projects seeking grid connection to undergo a series of assessments before construction begins. These assessments determine if new grid system enhancements are necessary for a project to integrate into the system, estimating and allocating the associated equipment costs. The lists of projects applying for grid connection and undergoing evaluation are referred to as "interconnection queues."

Despite ongoing interest from developers in solar, storage, and wind energy, completion rates for these projects remain low, leading to longer wait times. Only around 19% of projects (equivalent to 14% of total capacity) that requested interconnection between 2000 and 2018 were operational by the end of 2023.

Completion rates are particularly low for solar (14%) and battery (11%) projects. The average time projects spend in the queue before becoming operational has significantly increased. In 2023, an average project took nearly five years from the interconnection request to commercial operations, compared to three years in 2015 and less than two years in 2008.

The proposed capacity is spread across the US, with solar capacity proposed in most regions, totalling over 1 TW in active queues. Additionally, there is over 1 TW of storage capacity in the queues, mainly concentrated in the Western region and California Independent System Operator (CAISO), but also present in the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISOM), and Pennsylvania-Jersey-Maryland Interconnection (PJM). Wind capacity accounts for over 360 GW in the queues, with the majority located in the non-ISO West, New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) (offshore), PJM, and Southwest Power Pool (SPP) regions.

Collectively, solar (1,086 GW), storage (1,028 GW), and wind (366 GW) represent 95% of the total active capacity in the queues. Most of the solar and storage capacity is part of hybrid power projects.

There are nearly 12,000 power projects in the US seeking grid connection, with an overwhelming majority of them based on renewable sources. The combined capacity of these projects is 1,570 GW, with an additional 1,030 GW for storage. It was reported that renewable sources make up 95% of the total capacity in the active queue, and approximately 94% (about 1,480 GW) of the proposed generation capacity is zero-carbon, as per a recent Berkeley Lab report. Utilities and regional grid operators require projects seeking grid connection to undergo a series of assessments before construction begins. These assessments determine if new grid system enhancements are necessary for a project to integrate into the system, estimating and allocating the associated equipment costs. The lists of projects applying for grid connection and undergoing evaluation are referred to as interconnection queues. Despite ongoing interest from developers in solar, storage, and wind energy, completion rates for these projects remain low, leading to longer wait times. Only around 19% of projects (equivalent to 14% of total capacity) that requested interconnection between 2000 and 2018 were operational by the end of 2023. Completion rates are particularly low for solar (14%) and battery (11%) projects. The average time projects spend in the queue before becoming operational has significantly increased. In 2023, an average project took nearly five years from the interconnection request to commercial operations, compared to three years in 2015 and less than two years in 2008. The proposed capacity is spread across the US, with solar capacity proposed in most regions, totalling over 1 TW in active queues. Additionally, there is over 1 TW of storage capacity in the queues, mainly concentrated in the Western region and California Independent System Operator (CAISO), but also present in the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISOM), and Pennsylvania-Jersey-Maryland Interconnection (PJM). Wind capacity accounts for over 360 GW in the queues, with the majority located in the non-ISO West, New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) (offshore), PJM, and Southwest Power Pool (SPP) regions. Collectively, solar (1,086 GW), storage (1,028 GW), and wind (366 GW) represent 95% of the total active capacity in the queues. Most of the solar and storage capacity is part of hybrid power projects.

Next Story
Building Material

Infra.Market Becomes India’s Second-Largest Tile Maker

Infra.Market has emerged as India’s second-largest player in the ceramic tiles sector by installed capacity, with a total manufacturing capability of 81.57 million square metres. The company, a prominent name in the building materials space, operates 19 manufacturing plants and has seen a five-fold growth over the past three to four years. Backed by an investment of around Rs 1,400 crore, Infra.Market’s expansion has been powered by its multi-brand strategy and category diversification, enhancing its reach in both domestic and export markets.Currently, exports account for 25 to 30 per cent..

Next Story
Infrastructure Energy

FY25 Thermal Power Capacity Addition Misses Target

India added just 4.53 gigawatts (GW) of thermal power capacity in FY25, significantly below the 15.4 GW target, according to the Central Electricity Authority’s latest report. Of the planned 22 thermal units, only six were commissioned last fiscal year—two in the central sector and four in state sectors.New units commissioned include Ghatampur TPP, Khurja SCTPP, Jawaharpur STPP, Bhusawal TPS, Panki TPS Extension, and Yadadri TPS, ranging from 660 MW to 800 MW. The commissioning of the remaining 16 units has been deferred to FY26.Delays are attributed to equipment supply issues, land acquis..

Next Story
Infrastructure Energy

Avaada in Talks with Global Lenders to Raise $1 Bn Project Debt

Avaada Group is in discussions with global lenders including Standard Chartered Bank, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC), BNP Paribas, and Societe Generale to raise over $ one billion (Rs 85.00 billion) in project finance debt to support its renewable energy expansion.The company currently has 3,000 MWp of solar and wind projects under construction and aims to reach 30 GWp capacity by 2030. It plans investments of Rs 35,000 to 400.00 billion in solar, wind, pumped storage projects (PSP), and green hydrogen and ammonia production.Chairman Vineet Mittal noted the firm’s active engageme..

Advertisement

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?