- New industry whitepaper highlights how grid connection waits of up to a decade could hold back investment in commercial, industrial and data centre infrastructure
- On-site power generation can unlock growth by delivering businesses the power they need now without waiting for a grid connection.
- Solid oxide fuel cells can be deployed in less than 12 months, offering a faster route to reliable power while supporting long-term decarbonisation.
As investment in AI, advanced manufacturing, healthcare infrastructure and data centres accelerates, securing reliable power is becoming a growing challenge. Ofgem has warned that grid delays are deferring projects, increasing costs and, in some cases, contributing to cancellations.
A new whitepaper from Centrica and Ceres highlights how solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) can help organisations secure power faster, enabling investment and development to move ahead. While grid reform and network investment has made progress and remains essential, rising electricity demand will require a broader mix of solutions, with solid oxide technology playing an increasingly important role in delivering reliable, efficient and scalable power.
With global data centre capacity forecast to grow from 76 GW in 2026 to 182 GW by 2030, demand for dependable power is accelerating. Time-to-power is becoming a critical constraint on growth, and without faster access to electricity, the UK risks falling behind better-positioned markets.
The paper identifies SOFCs as a highly efficient, distributed solution capable of generating reliable, low-carbon electricity at the point of use. SOFCs can reach 60-65% electrical efficiency, significantly higher than the open-cycle gas turbines typically used for on-site and back-up generation, which typically operate at around 35-40%. By delivering power directly on-site, SOFCs can reduce time-to-power while strengthening energy resilience and supporting long-term decarbonisation.
The whitepaper calls on policymakers and industry leaders to combine long-term grid investment with deployable technologies that can meet growing power needs today.
Chris O’Shea, Chief Executive at Centrica, said: 'The UK cannot afford for power connections to become the reason investment goes elsewhere. Grid upgrades, renewables and nuclear are all essential, but they will take time and businesses making investment decisions today need confidence that reliable power will be there when they need it. Fuel cells can help bridge that gap by providing dependable on-site power for data centres, hospitals, manufacturers and other critical users. This is not about replacing the power grid. It is about making sure the UK can keep growing while the power grid catches up.'
Phil Caldwell, Chief Executive Officer of Ceres, said: 'The rapid growth of AI, electrification and industrial expansion is re-shaping global power demand. Businesses need energy solutions that can provide reliable power now, scale with future requirements and support long-term decarbonisation goals. Solid oxide fuel cells are designed to do exactly that. This paper highlights how SOFC technology can accelerate access to power, strengthen energy resilience and create a future-ready platform for sustainable growth.'
Click on this link to download the whitepaper
Source: Centrica
