NESO announces grid connections reform
NESO, in partnership with transmission owners, SSEN, Scottish Power Network and National Grid Electricity Transmission has announced the next step of its plans to reform how electricity grid connections are managed in Great Britain.
The move aims to lay the foundations for an efficient and future ready connections process, subject to Ofgem approval that can deliver clean power and economic growth.
Grid connections applications have continued to grow to the point that it is no longer possible to deliver in flight connections reforms in parallel with the existing connections process, it said.
In 2023/24 alone, NESO received over 1,700 queue applications, with more projects already in the queue than is required for the energy system in 2030 or even 2050.
To enable NESO, Transmission Owners and Distribution Network Operators to focus on preparing for the new Connections Reform framework, a new starting point is needed for the connections process, it said, to ensure all projects join the new framework on the same terms.
Following approval, NESO will implement new transitional arrangements which will “pause” applications received as of Wednesday 29 January 2025. It said there would be exceptions to this arrangement to support wider GB energy needs and economic growth.
As part of the connections reforms planned, future projects will apply to join the national electricity transmission system during designated windows.
Matt Vickers, Director of Connections Reform, NESO said:
“This transitional arrangement is critical to delivering the connections reforms we will implement later this year, subject to Ofgem approval. It’s a significant step forward in changing the grid connections process for the better. Our reforms prioritise projects which are ready to progress, and which are needed to deliver clean power by 2030.
“To reorder the queue, we need to start from a stable base This short pause in applications will allow us to work with colleagues across the network companies to prepare for the new processes we need to bring forward the electricity projects needed for the delivery of clean power by 2030 and beyond.”
Christianna Logan, Director of Customers and Stakeholders at SSEN Transmission, said:
“These arrangements are needed to give our customers time to have a signed connection offer in place when the implementation stage of the process begins later this year.”
John Twomey, director of customer connections at National Grid Electricity Transmission, said:
“Connections reform is progressing well and this short pause proposed by NESO will help to ensure that existing applications are processed at pace, and that industry is on the surest footing to implement a new process that is fit for the future.
“It shows that collectively with government and Ofgem, our industry is delivering the change that is needed to get the right projects connected at the right time as part of a strategically planned net zero electricity network.”
Nicola Connelly, CEO of SP Energy Networks, said:
“Making the connection queue more efficient is essential to ensure the successful electrification of the UK economy. This is a key step in that journey, and we will work with the NESO, our customers and stakeholders to ensure new green energy projects that Britain needs will be connected to the grid as quickly and effectively as possible.”
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