The new energy infrastructure will start with 19 battery projects amounting to around 10GW that will be given the option of connecting to the grid about four years earlier than they otherwise would have done.

A further 10GW will be unlocked in the Midlands, South West of England and South Wales, which includes a raft of low-carbon technology projects, bringing forward some ‘shovel ready’ schemes by up to five years.

National Grid said the accelerated 20GW of projects equates to the capacity of six Hinkley Point C nuclear power stations.

Developers looking to connect renewable energy projects have previously told E+T that they face delays of up to 15 years to connect to the electricity grid.

In June there were around 220 projects due to connect to the national transmission system before 2026, totalling around 40GW – this equates to more than double peak demand in the summer months for all of Great Britain. However, only half of these had received planning...