ENA Connections Blog: A new era for connections as evidence submission gets underway

A new chapter in connections has begun. Last time, we shared that Ofgem has approved the TMO4+ modifications following months of industry collaboration.

Since then, DNOs have started collecting evidence under the new criteria. To reach ‘Gate 2’, an advance into the new queue, developers need to demonstrate their projects meet the new requirements for readiness and strategic alignment under Clean Power 2030, or are a protected project under the methodologies.

In the meantime, networks have continued to manage the connections queue. According to the latest industry figures, the queue contained 771GW worth of projects in April 2025. This was mainly dominated by renewables (47 percent) and storage (35 percent) – continuing to exceed what we need in even the most ambitious net-zero scenarios, and demonstrating the need for these reforms.

So, what is happening now?

Developers of distribution-embedded projects have already been submitting evidence, and all embedded projects are strongly encouraged to submit their evidence as soon as possible. The NESO formal transmission evidence window will open later this summer. The DNO evidence gathering process will run until the NESO evidence window closes later this summer.

Since last month, we refreshed our website to include details of how to submit information to your local DNO and the relevant links to get in touch.

Plus, make sure to check out our joint evidence handbook with NESO. It outlines whether your project is in scope for a Gate 2 offer, how to provide the necessary evidence of project readiness, how strategic alignment is assessed and what criteria apply, and what happens if your project does not meet the Gate 2 criteria.

Once assessments are complete and the NESO evidence window closes, the new queue will be formed with the first offers going out to developers shortly afterwards. We expect the first developers to receive their offer letters later this year.

In their decision to approve TMO4+, Ofgem included a recommendation to NESO to protect progressed projects that have obtained planning consent and are due to connect in 2027. NESO subsequently made an alteration to the methodology, and as such, qualifying projects due to connect in 2027 will have their queue position and point of connection protected, provided they show evidence of readiness criteria and submit a request for the protection, thus ensuring investor confidence.

To help existing and prospective customers navigate these changes, we are hosting an in-person event in London, free of charge, alongside networks and NESO.

Registration is now closed, however, if you couldn’t make it this time, then don’t worry, as the highlights will be shared on our website following the event. Plus, our Strategic Connections Group regularly hold information webinars, so keep an eye out on our LinkedIn for the next one and visit our website to catch up on previous webinar slides.

Networks are listening to your views

ENA and its members have also been working hard on updating the distribution queue management guidance document. Following a webinar earlier this month, we opened a consultation on the proposed changes. This consultation closed on 23^rd May.

Our working group are now reviewing your feedback and making alterations to the proposals accordingly. We will ensure we make industry aware of the changes in due course and would like to take this opportunity to thank all the respondents for taking the time to provide us with valuable feedback, which will be used to shape the guidance document.

Make sure to look out for our next newsletter, and sign up if you haven't already, as we’ll soon be announcing more events and insights over the coming months.