“The UK Government is responsible for the grid access issues faced by consented renewable energy developments in Scotland.” — John Swinney. Our verdict: Partly True.
John Swinney, Scotland's First Minister, made the claim in an interview reported by The Independent, in which he also said GB Energy had done "literally, absolutely nothing". The article is undated but the claim was made on 15 October 2026.
Our verdict
Partly True
The claim is partly true. John Swinney did say the UK Government is responsible for grid access problems facing consented renewable projects in Scotland, and the UK Government does have the power to reform the grid connection process. But the evidence does not show that the UK Government alone is responsible, because Ofgem, the National Energy System Operator and possibly the Scottish Government also have a role.
What we found
We found that John Swinney made the claim directly, as reported by The Independent. We also found official confirmation that grid capacity and connection problems are real for Scotland's clean energy transition, and that the UK Government is taking steps to address them, in a parliamentary response from July 2026. A UK Government consultation page from March 2026 shows that the UK Government, working with Ofgem and the National Energy System Operator, has the authority to reform the grid connection process. However, this does not prove that the UK Government carries sole or primary responsibility. The same sources point to shared responsibility across several bodies, so the claim is only partly supported.
The evidence
5 of 6 sources support the claim; none contradict it.
- Background
The Independent reports John Swinney saying the UK Government is responsible for the grid access difficulties faced by consented renewable energy developments in Scotland. [1]
- Supports the claim
A UK Government consultation page says the UK Government, together with Ofgem and the National Energy System Operator, has the authority to reform and manage the electricity grid connection process. [2]
- Supports the claim
A parliamentary response acknowledges grid capacity and connection process challenges for Scotland's clean energy transition and says the UK Government is taking steps to address them. [3]
- Supports the claim
The National Energy System Operator says the previous grid connection system caused bottlenecks and delays for energy projects. [4]
- Supports the claim
A Solar Power Portal report describes a systemic grid connection challenge with long queues and administrative delays in the UK. [5]
- Supports the claim
A Savills article reports that renewable developers in Britain face long waits for transmission connections, with some projects not expected to connect before 2033. [6]
What we could not confirm
- Whether the UK Government bears primary or sole responsibility for the grid access issues, rather than sharing it with Ofgem, the National Energy System Operator and the Scottish Government.
- How many consented renewable projects in Scotland are affected by grid access problems, and what share of delays is specifically down to the UK Government.
How we checked
We looked at the original interview where the claim was made, official UK Government and parliamentary documents on grid connections and clean power, and reports from energy industry and property sources on grid delays. We checked whether these sources showed the UK Government alone is responsible, or whether responsibility is shared. We reviewed 7 relevant sources.
Sources
- [1]www.independent.co.uk · GB Energy has done ‘literally, absolutely nothing’, says John Swinney
- [2]gov.uk · Accelerating electricity network connections for strategic demand (accessible webpage) · March 12, 2026
- [3]UK Parliament (Publications) · Clean Power by 2030: A fair deal for Scotland?: Government Response · July 16, 2026
- [4]neso.energy · NESO and electricity networks issue offers to over half of energy projects needed by 2030 · June 10, 2026
- [5]solarpowerportal.co.uk · Grid connection challenge will get worse before it gets better · May 18, 2026
- [6]savills.je · Understanding grid constraints in Britain: how the Great Grid Upgrade aims to unlock capacity · August 6, 2026
- [7]Photo: Scottish Government / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Have evidence we missed?
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