New ‘smart’ relays on being installed by UKPower Networks on 80 transformers across 35 sites across Kent, Surrey and Sussex should allow additional plant to connect to the system.  The £932,000 project will see the devices installed between now and 2024.

Traditionally, protection devices switch off parts of the electricity network if faults occur. But the  smart devices can tell whether or not power flows are related to a problem on the network, so they can safely allow more power through. Ultimately the new relays will release capacity totalling 469MVA across the region – enough for a rooftop solar panel on 127,445 houses. UKPN said installing the new smart devices is  significantly cheaper than replacing existing equipment or building new, and the South East was chosen because it already hosts many wind and solar farms.

UK Power Networks has already connected more than 7GW of renewables and forecasts this will double by 2030. Director of asset management Barry Hatton said: “Strategic, smart, specific investment like this is exactly how we plan to help enable Net Zero by 2050.”