| Transmission & distribution
new system, certain others should find it easier to get connections. There are precious few onshore wind schemes in the queue, largely because planning rules banned new projects in England until comparatively recently, so there’s plenty of quota available for ready projects. The 2025-2030 queue is undersubscribed for solar installations, so some later projects may be able to connect earlier than previously thought.
Clearing the queue
So, what of the queue right now? NESO paused UK connection applications at the end of January 2025, to allow it to implement these new changes as part of the TM04+ connections reform package. Projects already in the queue with planning permission, and which are due to connect in the next two years, will keep their place. Everything else, along with any new applications, will be processed using the above criteria until the relevant quota is reached. But it’s more complex than that. There are actually two sets of quotas, for 2030 and 2035. Any projects not receiving a connection offer for 2030 will be put into the 2035 pot, which generally follows the same process. The quotas are also broken down regionally, with the goal of trying to match local generation, storage and consumption patterns.
There’s a further complication. The system as originally planned had two mandatory stages:
gate one and gate two. The former would give projects an indicative connection offer, with the thinking being that this would help transmission companies plan necessary grid work. Although this still exists, it’s no longer mandatory – most projects are likely to gain land readiness and enter at gate two. While planning permission isn’t necessary, projects that have it will be prioritised above those that just have land.
Another change should help the progression of smaller projects. In much of England and Wales the distribution limit has been raised to 5 MW, meaning that schemes below that can connect in DNO timeframes, rather than waiting for a transmission impact assessment which can take much longer. However, this doesn’t apply to all grid supply points.
Go behind the meter
Anyone following connections reform will know it’s a fast-evolving process. Things will continue to change, no doubt influenced by the success of the reforms, and particularly whether they help the UK achieve the Clean Power 2030 goal. However, it’s important to again note that NESO’s quotas cover only generation and storage schemes. There’s no capacity limit for connecting power users – such as data centres, housing developments, EV charging hubs and the like. These projects will be evaluated purely on their readiness.
We anticipate the net effect of the reforms will be an acceleration of the most viable projects, particularly those addressing critical infrastructure needs. But this is contingent on the networks actually delivering – skills and supply chain challenges remain. Also, it’s likely that many stand-alone schemes will continue to wait for grid connection. As an example, in Scotland, Scottish Power appears to have already filled its 2030 and 2035 quotas for BESS, so unless things change there’ll be no battery connection offers in the region for ten years.
Just as was previously the case, developers and investors can improve the chances of getting a scheme connected by exploring co-location. Similarly, it may be easier to connect a major housing development if it’s part of a private network that includes renewable generation. These kind of ‘behind the meter’ schemes provide a route to market for generation businesses that aren’t going to get a good grid offer. By linking up directly with a demand customer, they can still build their project and sell their power, but just via a different mechanism. Private networks are a benefit both to power users and producers, as neither has to pay expensive network transmission fees on locally generated and consumed electricity. Additionally, power users can more easily demonstrate their green credentials to potential customers and investors.
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