Press enter to search, esc to close
On 15th January, NESO asked Ofgem for permission to move into the second phase of preparations for TMO4+ and wider GB grid connections reform and on the same date, Ofgem granted its approval.
This second phase includes a pause in new transmission connections applications, starting from 29 January 2025. The aim of this arrangement is to ensure NESO has allocated its resources effectively to enable it to be fully dedicated to the delivery of connections reforms at pace across 2025.
NESO says it has requested this pause because the grid connections queue has grown significantly over the last year to the point that it is no longer possible to deliver connections reform in parallel with the existing connections process. In 2023/24 alone, NESO received over 1,700 applications to connect to the national electricity transmission system (3.7 times as many applications than in 2019/2020), leaving more projects already in the queue than are required for the energy system in 2030 or even 2050. A possible reason for this is developers trying to increase their chances of being part of the “Gate 2 to Whole Queue Exercise” under CMP 435, which is due to take place later this year (following Ofgem’s approval).
Following Ofgem’s approval today, NESO will now implement this new transitional arrangement from 29 January 2025. This is the deadline for all applications (except for new directly connected demand applications and specific modification applications – see below) to be submitted to NESO. For applications received by this deadline, NESO will use their best efforts to ‘clock start’ all applications received by 12 February 2025. To allow NESO to “clock start” a connection application, a developer will need to have, at a minimum, paid their application fee, provided any additional justification requested, and answered any questions from NESO (or the relevant TO). There remains a possibility that NESO will receive so many applications that it cannot “clock start” all of them even if they meet these requirements.
Any applications that have not been “clock started” by 12 February 2025 will not be processed and will need to be submitted in the first Gated application window.
There will be exceptions to this arrangement to support wider GB energy needs and economic growth. Demand projects directly connecting to the national electricity transmission network (typically large industrial and commercial units), will be allowed to continue through the connections process, to support the continued delivery of Great Britain’s industrial development.
The plan is for new directly connected demand applications to receive a transitional offer, and all such applications must be made by 21 March 2025 and ‘clock-started’ by 4 April 2025 to be processed in time for inclusion in the “Gate 2 to Whole Queue Exercise”.
There will also be exceptions for specific modifications applications (which NESO will determine on a case-by-case basis).
NESO says the DNOs (and IDNOs) have confirmed that they will not be adopting the pause. As such, DNOs and IDNOs will continue to accept and process applications as normal.
However, it appears there could be a significant impact on projects requiring SoW/project progression: as the DNOs will not pass the applications through to NESO for transmission impact assessments. The DNOs’ preference is to wait until the introduction of the “Gate 2 to Whole Queue Exercise” before sending the applications through to NESO. Clearly, this will have an impact on many distribution connecting projects but in practice it probably makes sense to delay what would be a 3+ month SoW process pending the grid connection reforms that will likely be implemented in a similar timescale (where such projects will need to be resubmitted for transmission impact assessment in the first application window).
This publication is intended for general guidance and represents our understanding of the relevant law and practice as at January 2025. Specific advice should be sought for specific cases. For more information see our terms & conditions.
Date published
15 January 2025