National Grid ESO has published its final recommendations for long-term connections reform.
The ESO’s final recommendation will mandate the creation of a new “First Ready, First Connected” approach, supporting projects that can deliver at speed to do so and ensuring that the connections queue can no longer be bogged down by so called “zombie projects”.
Under the new proposals the ESO would implement a new connections process based on an early application window (with an indicative frequency and duration of 12 months) and two formal gates, to track project progression and hold developers to account.
Gate 1 would provide connection offers based on a co-ordinated network design connection date while Gate 2 would be used to determine queue position for projects within the application window and to accelerate viable and robust “priority projects”.
The new reformed process would apply to all new generation, interconnector and demand connection applications, as well as relevant projects that modify their connections application after the go live date for the new process.
The ESO will look to implement these changes by the start of January 2025, subject to the delivery of relevant modifications to the existing industry codes.
The ESO will also create a new Connections Process Advisory Group from January 2024, with an independent chair, to enable industry to steer the detailed process design and code modifications within the parameters set out in its final recommendations.
This advisory group will also report to the Connections Delivery Board currently being established by Ofgem and the Government.
These reforms to the connections process will deliver a future proofed solution and enable the facilitation of future network coordination.
These reforms will build on the ESO’s existing Five Point Plan for short term reforms to the transmission network connections process and will help deliver the Connections Actions Plan recently published by the Government and Ofgem.
The ESO’s Five Point Plan is already delivering and will potentially remove around 80GW of projects from the existing connections queue, freeing up space for projects that can meet their connections milestones.
Alongside this the Five Point Plan will support the accelerated delivery of over 50GW of projects, speeding up their connection dates.
The ESO’s Head of Networks and Chief Engineer, Julian Leslie said: “Our new reformed process will prioritise the connection of viable projects, reduce times to connect for new and existing projects, deliver greater benefits for consumers and speed up the delivery of the energy mix required to meet net zero.”
“These longer-term reforms will align with wider Government and regulatory policy and ensure the connections process is flexible and future-proofed to support the future coordination of network design.”