Earlier last month, Ofgem published its decision on a package of connections reform, known as TMO4+. These reforms will help improve queue positioning for viable and urgently needed projects and bring much needed certainty to investors and developers.
Following preparations made by the ENA Strategic Connections Group, electricity distribution network operators (DNOs) are now in a position where they will be able to start collecting evidence against the new criteria for small and medium embedded generation projects.
On the 20th May, the evidence submission process will open. The submission process will be different for each DNO with some using portals and some using web forms or via email. However, the information gathered will be consistent and in line with the evidence NESO is requesting as part of its Readiness Declaration.
We encourage all stakeholders to be ready to submit their evidence to the relevant network operator when the submissions open on this date.
The NESO formal transmission evidence window will open later this summer and DNOs will submit to this on their customers’ behalf. The DNO evidence gathering process will run until the NESO evidence window closes. The date will be announced shortly. However, early submission is strongly encouraged.
How will TMO4+ work?
Currently, the length of the generation queue presents challenges for connections customers. The generation and storage capacity of projects in the queue significantly exceeds the capacity needed to fulfil even our most ambitious clean energy scenarios, as defined by the UK system operator’s Future Energy Scenarios.
Under the reformed approach, projects will demonstrate readiness before advancing in the queue, moving to a ‘first ready and needed, first connected’ model. This will be applied retrospectively, across all projects in the connections queue.
Reforming the grid connections queue will bring about substantial benefits. The reforms ensure that only well-prepared projects that fulfil capacity needs move forward in the queue thereby aligning to the UK Government’s plan for clean power by 2030.
NESO has worked with ENA and network colleagues to develop a comprehensive ‘Evidence Submission Handbook’ that will be launched next week to support customers. We will host additional guidance on how to submit evidence on our website when submissions open and also provide further insights and address any queries at the conference taking place on the 10th June. Each network will notify and collect evidence differently, so please check with your relevant operator.
ENA, NESO and network colleagues will run a joint webinar submission before the end of the month to walk through the Evidence Submission Handbook. The date will be announced shortly and you can pre-register here.
About us
Energy Networks Association (ENA) is the industry body representing the energy networks. Our members include every major electricity network operator in the UK. The electricity networks are at the heart of the energy transition. They directly employ more than 26,000 people in the UK, including 1,500 apprentices. They are spending and investing £33bn in our electricity grids over the coming years, to ensure safe, reliable and secure energy supplies for the millions of homes and businesses reliant on power every day.
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