Following Ofgem’s approval of NESO’s Connections Reform proposals on 15th April, we look forward to working with NESO and our customers to deliver the new connections process which supports the delivery of Government’s Clean Power 2030 (CP30) Plan.
The reforms have been developed in response to the continued growth in connection applications, with the current connections queue standing at over 750GW, far in excess of what is required for the energy system in 2030, or even 2050.
The new connections process is a move away from the old ‘first come, first served’ approach. In the new process, in order to join the queue, projects must first achieve two new criteria. The purpose of the criteria is to ensure that projects in the queue are needed (in order to achieve Government’s Clean Power 2030 Plan) and can demonstrate ‘readiness’ (to reduce the risk of stalled projects holding up other customers in the queue).
Projects will also be required to apply within defined application windows, which NESO will publicise in advance.
Important information for existing customers in the queue
The first stage of Connections Reform will be a one-off exercise (known as Gate 2 to the Whole Queue, or G2tWQ) involving reassessment of all existing contracted projects in the connections queue.
Existing projects must achieve the new criteria to remain eligible for a place in the queue. Small and medium embedded customers will submit their evidence to their DNO, while large embedded and transmission connecting projects will submit evidence to NESO.
It is expected that the evidence window will open for Distribution customers in May 2025, and for Transmission customers in July 2025.
Further information on what evidence customers need to provide for G2tWQ, and how they need to provide it, can be found on NESO’s website, along with FAQs on Connections Reform.
Important information for customers planning to submit new applications
The current pause for new connection applications and modification applications will continue, with the first window for new applications expected to open by the end of 2025.
A word from our Director of Customers and Stakeholders
"Connections reform is vital in helping the country to achieve net zero. We are working with partners across industry to develop changes to the connections process that will enable better use of existing network capacity and improve our customers’ experience in the long term."
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