Important information for customers planning to submit new applications
The current pause for new connection applications and modification applications, introduced by NESO in March, continues, with the first window for new applications expected to open by the end of 2025.
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. The first stage of Connections Reform will be a one-off exercise, known as Gate 2 to the Whole Queue (G2tWQ), involving reassessment of all existing contracted projects in the connections queue. 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.