NESO has been urged to guarantee at least a fortnight of problem-free applications for Gate 2 grid connections amid technical issues that have accompanied the launch of its queue reform process.
Trade groups including RenewableUK and Scottish Renewables have written to the GB system operator to request the headroom following problems reported by companies registering projects for priority status in a major shake-up of the country’s connections queueing system.
NESO opened a three-week evidence submission window on 8 July but the portal for registering projects has experienced multiple technical issues since the launch.
The system operator is working on various fixes and told industry last week it will extend the original 29 July evidence submission deadline by at least five working days.
A tracking tool has been deployed detailing resolutions to some of the queries and daily briefings are being provided to connections customers.
RenewableUK director of future electricity systems Barnaby Wharton said: “Although the efforts to date are welcome, major issues remain which are preventing our members from submitting applications for grid connections for their projects.
“It’s critical that NESO does everything in its power to address these issues as efficiently as possible.
“NESO now needs to give project developers a full two-week period to submit their applications without issues preventing them from doing so.
“This is both from a practical and legal requirement. We remain committed to working with NESO to support the delivery of connections reform, and we appreciate their openness to feedback and collaboration.”
In their letter to the system operator, RenewableUK, Solar Energy UK, Scottish Renewables, Regen and the Electricity Storage Network stated the current five-day extension is “highly unlikely” to provide enough time for all companies wishing to submit applications to do so without issue.
“We understand that there are risks to downstream milestones by delaying the end of the submission window, but this is clearly outweighed by the risk to Clean Power delivery and investor confidence from an incorrectly reordered connections queue,” they said.
Responding to the letter, a NESO spokesperson told reNEWS: “We understand the frustration and concern that the technical issues affecting some customers’ ability to submit evidence to NESO has caused, for which we sincerely apologise.
“In recognition of this, we have extended the submission window by at least five working days beyond the original deadline of 29 July, while our team works flat out to resolve things, so that all customers are able to submit evidence as easily and as quickly as possible.
“Connections reform is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to upgrade Britain’s electricity system and help us achieve Clean Power by 2030. We are working at pace to deliver this, to help unlock up to £40bn worth of annual investment, driving economic growth in our country.”