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Connections Reform

Background

The existing connections process was developed and designed over 20 years ago when the energy landscape was far less complex than it is today. The volume of projects in recent years, both applying and connecting to the electricity system has grown exponentially. The existing ‘first come, first served’ approach to connections projects joining the queue means that the connections process has not kept pace with the rapid changes occurring in the energy sector. Combined with the need to meet Net Zero targets has meant that a new process needed to be developed.

What is Connections Reform?

Given the clear and urgent need to reform the electricity network connections processes, the National Energy System Operator (NESO) launched a project in 2022(Connections Reform) to address the need. The reform project is part of a longer-term vision for change to the connections process, but short-term initiatives to speed up connections to the grid, have also been introduced, via NESO’s five-point plan and the ENA’s 3 point plan . We are now in Phase 3 of Connections Reform (previous phases of reform can be found here), for which a consultation is open and details are below.

What is Clean Power 2030 (CP30)

A new consideration within Connections Reform is the government’s ambition to have a clean GB power system by 2030. On the 5th November 2024, NESO published the CP30 advice to government which outlined that whilst clean power by 2030 is possible, it requires Network Operators to invest, build and connect at an accelerated pace. CP30 also signals renewed importance for Connections Reform and is likely to necessitate the adoption of a ‘first ready and needed, first connected’ approach by selecting the technologies that will best serve the network and consumers for any given location.

Open Consultations to Respond To:

Phase 3 of Connections Reform – Detailed design, framework changes

This consultation will close on the 2nd December 2024 at 5pm. We recommend that you review the existing consultation, and provide a response, both to ensure that your views are incorporated into the new connections framework, but to also consolidate your own understanding of Reform requirements. The consultation questions are introduced at the start of the Overview Document (pages 9 and 10), for which the detailed documents on each of the methodologies will help inform your responses:

  • Gate 2 Criteria Methodology: The Gate 2 criteria for both new applications and existing applications and the evidence requirements and assessment of this criteria.
  •  Project Designation Methodology: The designation of projects, under the reformed electricity transmission connection process, based on the criteria within this document.
  • Connections Network Design Methodology (CNDM): An overview of the approach to reassessing the connections queue and assessing new Gate 1 and Gate applications under the reformed connections process, TMO4+.
  •  Draft – NESO Connections Reform Data Impact Assessment v0.02: The potential impact on the connections queue (for connection to or use of the electricity transmission system) of the connection reform proposals.

Call for Input

Financial Instrument:

NESO are considering the introduction of a financial instrument to demonstrate projects’ commitment to queue connection. NESO are inviting feedback on the Financial Instrument in order that they can refine their proposal, before taking a decision to raise a code modification.

This Call for Input is requested by 22nd November 2024 – This is not a formal consultation.

Preparation for Connections Reform (Project Evidence (Gate 2)

In readiness for Gate 2 Reform implementation, which is expected to begin by Q2 2025, although an earlier submission window may open, we encourage you to commence your preparation and evidence gathering. This will ensure the processing of your projects is not delayed when reform begins. Whilst the evidence criteria is not yet finalised and could be subject to tweaks through the ongoing industry consultation process, the expected evidence that you will need to submit to us through our portal early next year is as below. Further information will be sent to you on the specific submission process ahead of Q2 next year.

1. Evidence of Land rights secured or Submission of Planning Consent - More detail about what you need to do to meet the Gate 2 Readiness Criteria can be found in the Gate 2 Methodology consultation.

2. Advancement Request Date - where applicable, for each project, NESO will require this information. 

Connections Reform Webinar

We recognise that this is a period of change and want to ensure that you are kept informed. This monthly webinar is for customers and stakeholders who would like to keep up to date with Connections Reform changes. This webinar is interactive and we would like to hear your views during the call.

Date of Next Webinar: 10 - 11am, 12th December. 

Additional Supporting documentation