ENA Connections Blog: putting customers first in a year of reforms

The year 2024 was undoubtedly a significant one for electricity networks and connections.

For example, in the first half, networks implemented a new technical limits solution allowing customers to connect to the grid before the required transmission reinforcement works, provided the power flow is kept within a certain level. This solution accelerated 10.4GW of customer projects by an average of over six years.

The networks continuously monitored the queue, ensuring that projects holding network capacity continued to progress and hit their key milestones. As a result of queue management and the TEC amnesty, over 11.5GW had been removed from the queue by the end of 2024.

Significantly, changes to access rights for battery energy storage systems have led to 31GW of released capacity being released back onto networks to be utilised more efficiently by all connecting customers.

All the while, networks continued to connect customers across the country at pace. Nearly 900 major connections projects were energised for customers in the calendar year 2024.

However, the total queue grew through 2024 and exceeded 746GW - over four times the installed capacity we anticipate needing by 2050. The queue continues to be dominated by renewables (46%) and storage (35%) far exceeding GB energy needs for net zero.

This year will bring even more significant changes to deliver customer connections and the energy transition.

The times they are a-changin’

Last year, we saw the new Labour government bring forward the clean energy target by five years to 2030.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero then released its Clean Power 2030 Action Plan in December. The plan ensures networks, Ofgem, government and the wider industry are working in lockstep to decarbonise Great Britain’s power grid.

Following months of work and collaboration, from working groups to consultations, NESO provided Ofgem with the final recommendations on code modifications 434 and 435, also known as TMO4+.

This reform is currently with Ofgem for final approval, with an expected date within Q1 2025 – and if approved will change how the connections queue is formed, allocating connections to those projects that are ready and which align with the Clean Power 2030 Action Plan.

All networks and NESO are now deep into the extensive preparations required to implement in 2025. These are major, but essential reforms if we want to accelerate connections for customers and ensure we meet Britain’s clean power target.

Meanwhile, at distribution…

The start of the year saw the introduction of new queue entry requirements at distribution.
The strengthened requirements apply to those who wish to connect generators over 1MW to a distribution network.

By introducing these new guidelines, networks are looking to reduce congestion in the connection applications, allowing them to progress ready projects.

Further details on these requirements can be found on the ENA website.

Stay connected

Electricity networks and connections will undoubtedly continue to be a hot topic through 2025.

With so much changing, communication and collaboration are essential and networks are committed to providing regular data publication, communications, consultations, and webinars throughout the year.

NESO ran a webinar last week to present the final details of the TM04+ proposals, with ENA presenting what this means for embedded connections.

Our Strategic Connections Group will also host a webinar on Wednesday, February 5, to highlight key areas of progress, including the benefits networks have delivered for customers, further details on what TM04+ means for embedded projects, and a look ahead to wider reform priorities and activities planned for the rest of 2025.

You can hear about this and more at the upcoming ENA Strategic Connections Group webinar.

Registration is now live, so secure your place today. I hope to see you there.

Ultimately, the networks will ensure no stone is unturned in pursuit of a fairer, faster and more efficient connections process, putting customers at the heart of any proposals, and will continue to identify and progress solutions that improve connections service and outcomes.