At the end of last year, we published the Rising to Britain’s Net Zero Challenge report, the networks’ strategic plan to improve and accelerate grid connections for customers. This set out the status of the queue, identified six areas of required reform initiatives, two key areas of necessary wider policy reforms, and the commitment from all networks to collaboratively deliver these programmes.
Since then, all the networks have been working closely with NESO, Ofgem and the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero (DESNZ) to put this plan into action. However, the challenge remains significant – and the scale and pace of reform has only accelerated.
To help summarise and provide up-to-date information, we will regularly provide updates via this blog on behalf of Britian’s networks.
The (latest connections) data are in
Looking at the latest data, networks are connecting customers at pace and the reforms implemented by all networks are set to deliver significant customer benefits.
- In the last financial year, the transmission and distribution networks delivered a record-beating 9.69GW of connections, including 7.5GW of generation and storage – equivalent to more than two Hinckley Point C’s in just one year
- 4.6GW of connections to the network have been energised since April 2024
- 10.4GW of projects have had their connection dates accelerated by an average of six years through technical limits and transmission non-firm storage offers
- 11.3GW of stalled ‘zombie’ projects have now been removed from the queue through distribution queue management and TEC Amnesty
The growth of the queue continues to be a major blocker. The queue currently stands at 732GW as of September 2024 – an increase of 10GW since August 2024. However, simply connecting the whole queue is not what Britain needs. This is because the queue includes supply and storage capacity that significantly exceeds even our most ambitious net zero scenarios, as well as speculative or non-viable projects that will never connect.
Each month you can find the latest status of the connections queue, connections delivered this year, and reform benefits on the ENA website. The solutions and benefits above have been delivered in addition to a major focus on strategic transmission connections reform.
One small step for CUSC (well, two)… one giant leap for clean power
All the networks have worked together to support NESO in preparing two code modifications, CMP434 and CMP435, that will introduce a fundamentally reformed connections process for transmission access.
Now this reform is looking to go even further. Since winning the recent general election, the new Labour Government has set an ambitious target to achieve clean power five years earlier – by 2030.
Earlier this month, NESO published their advice to the government on achieving Clean Power 2030 – describing this target as ‘achievable’ but ‘at the outer bound of what is possible’. A central recommendation is to align capacity allocations with what is required to meet net zero.
In the context of a hugely over-subscribed queue and a rapidly approaching clean power target, this makes a lot of sense. The methodologies that will enable this are now also out for consultation – and the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero (DESNZ) and Ofgem have now set out an open letter on the need for this level of reform.
In addition, NESO is calling for input on reforming financial commitments for queue entry, and Ofgem is consulting on proposals based on their end-to-end connections review.
Our members are fully behind the mission to reach clean power by 2030 and look forward to working with the government, NESO and Ofgem to make it a reality.
Stay tuned
Looking forward, the networks will continue to connect projects at pace, improve access to the grid for our customers, and shape the future through these reforms.
Delivering all of this collaboratively with the industry and with transparency is essential.
You can sign up to the ENA newsletter to be notified when our next Strategic Connections Group webinar takes place, and catch up on the latest webinar on our website. Plus, check out Ofgem’s latest Connections Delivery Board minutes – published each month.
Watch this space for updates on distribution queue entry requirements, digital portals from all DNOs for accessing their connections data, updates on transmission charges for embedded customers, and further details on what connections reform means for embedded customers.
In the meantime, there are plenty of NESO and Ofgem consultations out now – and we strongly encourage your review and feedback. These are once-in-a-generation changes, so shaping these reforms now is critical.
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.
Press office contact
Our press office can assist with enquiries from journalists and content creators only. You can email press@energynetworks.org. Please note, if your enquiry is urgent or requires a response out of normal working hours you should call us on 0204 599 7691.