The UK’s National Energy System Operator (NESO) has set out the timeline for the delivery of connections reform.
An evidence submission window will open on 8 July for developers of transmission network projects and Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) to come forward with evidence of their project’s maturity and deliverability.
This window will remain open until 29 July, after which NESO will begin the process of reorganising the 3000-plus projects in the transmission connection queue.
NESO will prioritise new connection agreements for projects critical to the delivery of the Government’s Clean Power by 2030 target.
Given the thousands of applications that need to be reviewed and reordered as part of connections reform, NESO is keen to ensure that developers are fully engaged and up to date on the actions they need to undertake.
During the evidence submission window, NESO will be running weekly webinars, publishing on-demand videos and regularly updating FAQs, alongside the evidence submission handbook published in May. Developers will also be supported in this engagement by bespoke programmes run by DNOs and the Energy Networks Association.
Developers are being urged to engage early with the evidence submission window to help NESO ensure that delays in providing new connections agreements later in the year can be avoided. The operator said early engagement will also ensure developers and investors receive the clarity they need at the earliest possible opportunity.
After the evidence window has closed, NESO will begin to reorder the connections queue, and from the autumn will being to issue new connection agreements.
NESO’s director of connections reform Matt Vickers said: “We want to work closely with developers through this process, so they have as much information as possible to help them through the evidence submission window opening in July.
“Given the scale of the task ahead of us, developers of all sizes will need to work with us and network operators to help make sure connections reform is a success by engaging in the process at the earliest opportunity.”