Renewables dominate 95% of US interconnection queues amid backlog increase

17 Apr 2024 CW Team

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.

Infrastructure Urban

08 Apr 2026

UniAcoustic, Vicoustic Form UniVicoustic Alliance

UniAcoustic, part of United Group, has acquired a strategic stake in Portugal-based Vicoustic, forming a new alliance branded as UniVicoustic. The agreement, signed in Mumbai, marks a significant cross-border partnership aligned with evolving India–EU trade dynamics.The collaboration brings together Vicoustic’s global expertise in architectural acoustic products with UniAcoustic’s manufacturing scale and distribution capabilities. The combined platform aims to expand market reach, integrate technology and optimise supply chains across key regions.The development comes amid progress in th..

Infrastructure Urban

08 Apr 2026

Dalmia Bharat, Delhi PWD Revamp Under-Flyover Spaces

Dalmia Bharat has partnered with the Public Works Department (PWD), Government of Delhi, to redevelop select under-flyover spaces and a road stretch into sustainable urban hubs. The agreement covers key locations including Lodhi Flyover, Oberoi Flyover, Mangi Bridge and Hanuman Setu.Under the initiative, the company will undertake design, landscaping, plantation and long-term maintenance of the sites, with a defined upkeep period of three years after completion. The project aims to improve urban aesthetics while promoting environmental sustainability and biodiversity restoration in high-densit..

Infrastructure Urban

08 Apr 2026

Versigent Debuts as Independent NYSE-Listed Company

Versigent has launched as an independent publicly traded company following its separation from Aptiv, with shares commencing trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker “VGNT”. The move marks a significant milestone in the company’s transition into a standalone global player in power distribution systems.The company specialises in the design, manufacturing and delivery of low- and high-voltage electrical architectures, supported by engineering centres across four continents and manufacturing operations in over 25 countries.Versigent reported revenues of $8.8 billion, net inco..