Until 23:59 on 29 July, energy generation and demand projects with an existing connections agreement can begin submitting evidence to the Connections Reform process at National Energy System Operator(NESO)
Connections reform is part of the government’s Clean Power 2030 ambition, which aims to unlock up to £40bn a year of private investment in UK-based energy.
The connections queue has grown ten times over the last five years to 738GW, more than four times the clean generation capacity required by 2030. The new simplified assessment process replaces the first-come, first-served approach that NESO blames for “unviable and speculative ventures holding up promising clean energy projects”.
Projects with current signed connections agreements can still apply
All customers with current signed connections agreements, that have not yet connected to the grid, will need to submit an application with the required evidence in order to be assessed for a ‘Gate 2’ contract offer.
Customers that do not submit evidence will automatically be assigned a ‘Gate 1’ connections offer. Transmission connected customers or large embedded generators must submit evidence directly to NESO. Smaller distribution projects should submit evidence directly to their DNO, who will then pass it onto NESO.
Taking Britain “off the rollercoaster of global fossil fuel markets”
Energy minister Michael Shanks said: “Today marks a milestone in our work to overhaul the connections queue and unleash ready-to-go clean power projects that will help us reach our 2030 target.
“Developers in the queue now have the chance to demonstrate to NESO that their projects are ready to progress.
“This is our Plan for Change in action, taking us a step closer to building an energy system that takes Britain off the rollercoaster of global fossil fuel markets and can bring bills down for good.”
Kayte O’Neill, chief operating officer, NESO: “NESO opening the evidence window today is a key moment in the once-in-a-lifetime transformation of our electricity network, and a vital step for delivering clean power by 2030, while also helping supercharge economic growth for Great Britain.
“By prioritising agreements for projects that are critical and shovel-ready, developers will get the certainty they need to support investment decisions. It also gives energy consumers, from households and hospitals to electric car charging stations and data centres – the confidence of clean and stable power for generations to come.
“We advise all applicants to ensure they submit the correct evidence, so that we can assess applications fully and fairly.”
Jack Presley Abbott, deputy director of strategic planning and connections at Ofgem: “Harnessing more of our homegrown power potential will improve our energy security by reducing Great Britain’s reliance on volatile global energy markets and stabilising consumer bills.
“The reforms to the connections queue will cut back red tape and fast-track ready to go homegrown clean power projects so they are connected as soon as possible. This change will mean better connections for public services, including housing, hospitals and EV charging stations, as well as new industries like data centres which are key to boosting economic growth.”
How to apply
Clean energy projects interested in applying are advised to read the connections reform evidence handbook or catch up with the connections reform webinars to help with the submission process.
You can register for the connection reform evidence submission here.
Submitting evidence
Projects will be assessed and assigned a status based on their “readiness and strategic alignment” with the UK’s energy goals. They will then be placed in one of two streams that govern how projects enter and progress through the connections process.
Those placed in ‘Gate 2’ will be judged to have met the criteria for connection, and will receive a confirmed modification offer, including updated connection dates, site details, and any required reinforcement works.
Projects that do not meet the readiness or strategic alignment criteria will be placed in ‘Gate 1’, which means they remain in the system but with a provisional deferred connections offer. These projects will not receive a confirmed connection date but will have the opportunity to reapply through future biannual application windows for a ‘Gate 2’ status. Alternatively, they will have the choice of terminating their connections request.
Approved projects will commence work in early 2026
Projects that have successfully secured a Gate 1 place in the reformed connections queue (subject to detailed checks) will be notified from September. Revised connection offers will be issued over the autumn, prioritising those due to connect in 2026 and 2027.
NESO aims to have made all offers for projects needed to meet the government’s 2030 clean power target by early next year.
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