---
id: energy/us/interconnection-queue/status-2025
canonical_question: "What is the current state of US electricity interconnection queues?"
aliases:
- "interconnection backlog US"
- "grid connection wait times"
- "FERC interconnection queue delays"
- "how long to connect to the grid"
entity_type: situation_assessment
domain: energy > grid_infrastructure > interconnection
region: US
temporal_scope: 2024-2025
last_verified: 2025-04-15
confidence: 0.9
freshness: quarterly
version: 1.0
first_published: 2025-03-01
canonical_source: "https://knowledgelib.io/energy/us/interconnection-queue/status-2025"
suggested_citation: "Source: knowledgelib.io — AI Knowledge Library (verified 2025-04-15)"
sources:
- id: src1
title: "Queued Up: Characteristics of Power Plants Seeking Transmission Interconnection"
author: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
url: https://emp.lbl.gov/queued-up
type: primary_research
published: 2024-04-01
reliability: high
- id: src2
title: "FERC Order 2023 Final Rule"
author: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
url: https://www.ferc.gov/media/order-no-2023
type: government_regulation
published: 2023-07-28
reliability: authoritative
- id: src3
title: "2024 Annual Grid Connection Report"
author: American Clean Power Association
url: https://cleanpower.org/resources/grid-report-2024
type: industry_report
published: 2024-09-12
reliability: moderate_high
---
# US Interconnection Queue Status (2025)
## Summary
The US interconnection queue remains the primary bottleneck in energy transition deployment. As of early 2025, approximately 2,600 GW of generation and storage capacity sits in interconnection queues — roughly double the entire installed US generation fleet. Average wait times are 4-5 years from application to commercial operation. [src1, src3]
## Key Facts
- Queue depth: ~2,600 GW total capacity waiting (up from ~2,000 GW in 2023) [src1]
- Completion rate: Only ~14% of projects entering the queue since 2000 have reached commercial operation [src1]
- Average timeline: 4-5 years from request to operation; was ~3 years a decade ago [src1, src3]
- Dominant technology: Solar (65%) and storage (25%) dominate new queue entries [src1]
- Cost: Interconnection study costs alone range $50K-$2M+ depending on size and complexity [src3]
## Regulatory Context
FERC Order 2023 (effective 2024) introduced cluster-based study processes and financial readiness requirements to reduce speculative applications. Early signs suggest new application volumes may moderate, but the existing backlog will take years to clear. [src2]
## Causal Factors
1. Speculative applications: Low barriers to entry led to queue flooding [src2]
2. Transmission capacity: Insufficient grid buildout to absorb new generation [src3]
3. Study process: Serial study approach created cascading delays when projects withdrew [src2]
4. Workforce: Insufficient engineering staff at utilities and ISOs to process studies [src3]
## Trend Direction
Mixed. Reform is underway but structural backlog persists. Expect:
- Modest improvement in new application processing (2025-2026)
- Legacy backlog remains severe through ~2027
- Transmission buildout is the binding constraint long-term
## Related Units