Reflections on Connections Reform

By Susana Neves e Brooks, Head of Connections Reform, Strategy and Policy, NGED

On Monday 15 September, we were delighted to host our first face-to-face Connections Reform event for NGED customers, part of the Connections Reform Gate to whole Queue (G2TWQ) process. This was a great opportunity for us to meet in-person to listen, learn, and collaborate in this important venture to reform our energy system and shape the way we connect to the electricity network.

As an energy industry we have been on a long and important journey, a journey that started back in 2021 as we witnessed the first transmission constraints driving connection dates into 2030s.

The starting point for the Reform programme was to review the 20 +-year-old framework and create a complex change proposition and programme with stakeholders and Customers. NGED has been central to this process, and as an energy professional, I too am proud to say that I have been there from the outset contributing to, as well as witnessing these changes. I recall a colleague once comparing the industry’s attempt to change connections in the best possible way, to building a bridge as we are driving over it or changing the tyres on an articulated lorry going at 70mph on the motorway, and that still feels like a valid analogy.

If there is one thing I do know, it is that change is invariably complex. Change that looks to shake up the foundations of our regulatory framework, requiring coordination between multiple stakeholders in government , regulators , system and network organisations, and others, is truly unheard off and presents challenges many involved couldn’t have foreseen. However, we have come a long way and we must continue to focus to make this change successful, to achieve our clean power targets. We also need to capture lessons learned so we can continue to evolve the framework for the future. We can all agree that such a complex change has neither been easy nor simple - it cannot be wasted.

From NGED’s perspective, the focus is now in place, through myself and my team to assist you on your ongoing reform journey. We know that timely, transparent, and efficient connections are critical to your success and the success of your projects. That’s why NGED is working hard with NESO, with the other Networks, with ENA, OFGEM and DESNZ to deliver the reformed connections process for generation and also required changes for demand connections. Ultimately this will make it simpler, faster, and more responsive to your and GB’s clean energy needs. We are doing all of this, whilst also working internally to ensure we are not only ready for the change, and ready to support you through this journey but also looking ahead to understand and shape the ever-evolving connections journey internally and externally.

NGED submitted the highest volume of evidence amongst the DNOs for a total of 660 projects, equivalent to 24.96MW protected and or ready projects and overall, we are on track to meet our CP30 allowances and beyond to ensure we play our part in this important endeavour to meet CP30 and net zero targets. We want to thank everyone who has been involved in the connections reform process so far. It is a journey we need to continue together and we are committed to ongoing engagement with all our customers and stakeholders.

Susana Neves e Brooks