Impact analysis of supplementing solar generation sites with additional wind generation considering grid connection delays

Grid connection delays are currently causing significant issues for new renewable generation projects in Great Britain. The National Energy System Operator (NESO) has recently closed the connection queue to new requests, with over 700GW of new projects currently awaiting responses to connection requests. The average gap between requested and offered connection dates has increased to 5 years and despite an ongoing connection reform process the challenges faced by new renewable generation projects are putting net zero objectives at risk. In this paper, a novel techno-economic investigation is performed into the potential impact of increasing the generation capacity of a solar generation site through the addition of wind generation. The study considers varying time horizons for increased grid connections and how this impacts the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) and net present value (NPV) of the site. Results show positive implications with a 5 year connection delay, showing a possible reduction in LCOE of £1.86/MWh over a 20 year lifetime.