The National Energy System Operator (NESO) has launched a consultation on its draft Business Plan 3 (BP3), which covers the period from April 2025 to March 2026. This is the third and final regulatory business plan under the RIIO-2 framework. The draft plan outlines NESO’s eight performance objectives that support its strategic priorities, including publishing strategic whole energy plans, ensuring secure and resilient energy systems, advancing the implementation of Clean Power by 2030, and reforming the connections process, among other objectives. NESO has also collaborated with Ofgem to develop the regulatory framework for this business plan period. The consultation closes on 10 January 2025.

The National Energy System Operator (NESO) has launched a consultation on its proposed Centralised Strategic Network Plan (CSNP) methodology. The methodology sets out an integrated approach to electricity, gas and hydrogen transmission network planning beyond 2030, aiming to support the UK’s 2050 net zero target. The CSNP will provide a 25-year roadmap, identifying where future transmission network infrastructure will be needed across Great Britain to transport energy from generation sites to areas of consumption. It will cover both onshore and offshore electricity networks, cross-border interconnectors, offshore hybrid assets, the repurposing of the onshore gas transmission system, and future hydrogen infrastructure requirements. The CSNP will be reviewed every three years to align with evolving energy transition needs. The consultation closes on 1 August 2025.

The National Energy System Operator (NESO) has launched a consultation on its minded-to position to designate EDF UK's proposed Cottam small modular reactor (SMR) project at the former Cottam coal-fired power station in Nottinghamshire. The project is the first to be considered for designation under NESO's reformed connections framework and comprises up to four Holtec SMR-300 pressurised water reactors with a proposed generating capacity of approximately 1.3 GW. Project designation provides a route for projects outside the standard Clean Power 2030 pathway. NESO's proposed designation remains subject to the consultation process and Ofgem's subsequent consideration. The consultation will close on 23 September 2026.

The National Energy System Operator (NESO) has launched a consultation, seeking views on its Gas Options Advice (GOA) methodology. The methodology will outline how NESO will independently assess investment proposals submitted by National Gas Transmission, considering factors such as deliverability as well as economic, environmental, and social impacts. NESO intends to publish the final methodology in Summer 2025, with the final GOA document scheduled for publication by 31 December 2025. The consultation closes on 3 June 2025.

The National Energy System Operator (NESO) has launched a consultation on connections reform, focusing on the reformed connections process and formation of a new queue. The consultation recommends aligning the connection process with the strategic energy plans published by the government. The NESO’s proposals comprise all projects connecting at the transmission level, as well as generation and storage projects connecting to distribution networks that impact the transmission system. The consultation is part of a wider reform package, undertaken in collaboration with industry, Ofgem and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. The consultation closes on 2 December 2024.

The National Energy System Operator (NESO) has launched a consultation on the methodologies for three key strategic network plans, aimed at supporting clean power delivery by 2030 and achieving net-zero by 2050. The consultation covers the draft methodology for the Strategic Spatial Energy Plan (SSEP), the Refresh methodology for the transitional Centralised Strategic Network Plan (tCSNP2), and the high level principles for the Centralised Strategic Network Plan (CSNP). The consultation closes on 20 January 2025. Following the consultation, NESO will refine its publications based on stakeholder feedback, with the final SSEP methodology expected to be published in Spring 2025, following approval from the UK, Scottish, and Welsh governments, as well as Ofgem. Additionally, NESO will launch a consultation on the draft CSNP methodology in Q2 2025 and submit the tCSNP2 methodology to Ofgem by 31 March 2025 for publication.

The National Energy System Operator (NESO) has launched a public consultation in response to the Electricity Networks Commissioner's August 2023 report on accelerating electricity transmission network construction. The report outlined 43 recommendations aimed at halving transmission infrastructure build times. Four recommendations related to outage planning were assigned to NESO as the action owner. NESO, in collaboration with the three Great Britain Onshore Transmission Owners, established four workstreams to address each outage planning recommendation. NESO seeks views on the proposals outlined in the outcomes of these workstreams. The consultation closes on 28 March 2025.

The National Electricity System Operator (NESO) has opened its evidence submission window for the one-off 'Gate 2 to Whole Queue' exercise in relation to the reform of the grid connections process, known as TMO4+. The evidence submission window will run from 8 July 2025–29 July 2025.

The National Energy System Operator (NESO) has opened a two‑week feedback window to gather further views on three elements of the Regional Energy Strategic Plans (RESPs) Methodology. This follows NESO’s six‑week consultation in November 2025 and responds to requests from customers, stakeholders and Ofgem for additional technical detail. NESO is seeking feedback on: (1) the spatial context for gas and biomethane; (2) whole‑system optimisation; and (3) the specification of strategic investment need. The feedback window closes on 13 March 2026.

The National Energy System Operator (NESO) has outlined the Centralised Strategic Network Plan (CSNP) to coordinate long-term transmission network planning in Great Britain, focusing initially on electricity and later including gas and hydrogen. Following a consultation on the CSNP Methodology High-Level Principles, the feedback received emphasised the need for detailed stakeholder engagement and environmental assessments. The plan supports integrating offshore designs and refining system requirements to include decentralised energy and regional diversity. The assessment criteria will balance economic and non-economic factors, moving away from the Least-Worst Regret approach. The Draft Methodology will be published by Summer 2025, with further opportunities for stakeholder input.

The National Energy System Operator (NESO) has announced a proposed modification to the Connection and Use of System Code (CUSC), to introduce a temporary process allowing users to delay contracted electricity transmission connection dates ahead of the first CMP434 gated application window. NESO states that the modification is intended to improve alignment between contractual positions and deliverable project timelines, reduce the need for multiple post-Gate 2 variations, support more efficient network planning and lower the risk of projects rejecting Gate 2 offers because of outdated liabilities. The proposal is being progressed as an urgent modification, with implementation proposed for 10 business days after an authority decision and a final decision requested by 31 July 2026.

The National Energy System Operator (NESO) has proposed a new Connection and Use of System Code (CUSC) modification to introduce a Progression Commitment Fee aimed at supporting the future connections queue. This proposed fee, subject to a defined activation trigger, would apply to generation projects in the Gate 2 connections queue that have not yet submitted applications for planning consent. Initially set at £2,500/MW, the fee would increase by an additional £2,500/MW every six months, up to a maximum of £10,000/MW. It would be payable upon project termination or capacity reduction, incentivising generation developers to regularly assess project viability. The modification has been submitted for code review before final consideration and approval by Ofgem.