Ofgem and DESNZ announced the CDB and set out a framework for improvements to the GB connections process in the joint Connections Action Plan (CAP), published November 2023.
The current processes for connection to electricity networks (both transmission and distribution) need significant reform to respond efficiently to the extremely high levels of new applications to connect, as well as the significant number and capacity of projects already holding connection agreements and seeking to connect. Ensuring customers can connect to the electricity network where and when they need to is crucial to achieving net zero, as well as to delivering affordability for consumers and maintaining security of supply.
The CDB was established to oversee actions under the Connections Action Plan including network company-led actions, drawing them into a coherent package, giving strategic direction and ensuring timely and effective implementation.
The CDB does this through two broad functions:
- to provide steer for proposals of policy and process design, actions in train and prioritisation.
- to oversee and monitor the progress of actions against key milestones and estimated impacts, and transparently communicate progress.
The CDB comprises organisations and representatives responsible for or affected by the delivery of changes to regulatory, legal, industry and commercial frameworks for connections and is chaired by Ofgem, working with the government. Membership is drawn from Ofgem, the UK Government, Scottish and Welsh Governments, ESO, TOs, DNOs, ENA, connection customer representatives, and consumer representatives.
The CDB meets monthly and is part of the overall governance of the implementation of the Connections Action Plan. The Connections Process Advisory Group (CPAG) and the ENA Strategic Connections Group (SCG) report into the CDB. Details of the CPAG and the wider Connections Reform programme activities can be found on ESO's website.
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Terms of Reference
Download the Terms of Reference for this group.
- Meeting minutes
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Joint Transmission & Distribution Dashboard Summary
The following summary of the combined Transmission and Distribution Databook’s aims to be inclusive of all new connections data at 1MVA/1MW and above, at both Transmission and Distribution levels for demand, storage and generation projects.
The data is compiled following month end and is developed on a reasonable endeavours process by the relevant organisations, to facilitate the monthly provision of the date it is not assured to the standards of regulatory submission guidance.
Due to the cross over of certain schemes that are embedded within the Distribution Networks but additionally are required to or opt to apply to National Grid for a BELLA or BEGA, some projects have applications and acceptances reported in both Transmission and Distribution data sets.
For the purposes of this summary report this is deemed appropriate when looking at the applications and acceptances received by the individual network operators. However, for the “Total Contracted Connections” element of the summary report, such embedded schemes with a BELLA or BEGA are only counted once to ensure that a single combined pipeline is presented (Note: as such it may not be possible to reconcile last month’s total contracted connections figure, this month’s total contracted connections figure and this month’s new acceptances and connections delivered data)
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