NESO publishes letter on proposed reforms to grid connections process
The National Electricity System Operator (NESO) has published a letter, outlining proposed reforms to its grid connections process, following stakeholder feedback from its November 2024 consultation. These reforms aim to ensure timely connections for strategically aligned projects to achieve the government’s Clean Power 2030 objectives. NESO proposes that certain categories of projects that meet specific requirements, such as submitting planning consent applications before NESO's final proposal submission to Ofgem (expected on 20 December 2024) and securing planning consent by the end of the Gate 2 evidence submission window (expected by the end May 2025), or being awarded a government Contract for Difference or a Capacity Market contract by NESO, or obtaining Ofgem cap and floor or merchant route regulatory approvals for interconnector or offshore hybrid asset projects, will be deemed as meeting the strategic alignment element of the Gate 2 criteria. These projects must still satisfy the 'readiness' element of the Gate 2 criteria and will remain eligible for advancement requests and be subject to reassessments. NESO intends to submit its final proposals for connections reform to Ofgem by the end of 2024, with Ofgem’s decision expected in Q1 2025.