Ofgem's recent announcement of a £24 billion investment to upgrade Britain's gas networks and electricity grid represents the largest infrastructure commitment in the regulator's history. The approved funding covers infrastructure to support up to 126 GW of clean power capacity by 2030.
Previously, commercial developers and landlords bore the financial burden of grid reinforcement for major electrification projects. However, under the new RIIO-3 framework, which begins in April 2026, network operators will absorb more of these upgrade costs. This reduces financial barriers for projects such as Large-scale EV charging installations and Rooftop solar and battery storage systems.
Current connection waiting times, will be substantially reduced. Connection reform processes are already prioritising "shovel-ready" projects, bringing forward viable developments that were previously stuck in lengthy approval queues.
The reformed connection process prioritizes projects based on deliverability and strategic value, creating opportunities for well-prepared commercial developments to secure advantageous positions in the connection queue. For commercial property stakeholders, the question is how quickly can they position their portfolios to capitalize on these infrastructure improvements.
Why Occupiers Should Engage?
Occupiers, especially those in retail parks and logistics hubs stand to benefit directly from these infrastructure changes if they partner proactively with landlords.
By working together, occupiers and landlords can deliver projects that not only meet legal and regulatory standards, but also provide strong sustainability messaging for customers, staff, and investors along with savings! In a retail park or shared property scenario, these solutions often become more cost-effective and higher-impact when delivered at scale, for example, communal solar installations or shared battery storage as opposed to isolated site-by-site deployments.
This shift is not just about cost or compliance. Government intervention at this scale is a clear signal: the direction of travel for UK energy is towards renewables and electrification, and it’s moving faster, backed by policy and investment, not slower. Occupiers with robust sustainability credentials and those who can point to partnership projects with their landlords will be better placed to attract conscious customers, talent, and investment as the low-carbon transition accelerates.
At Syzygy we helps commercial property owners and occupiers navigate these infrastructure changes and identify opportunities for energy investment and decarbonization. Get in touch to assess how the grid upgrades affect your specific properties and projects.
