The National Energy System Operator (NESO) has officially opened the evidence submission window for its pivotal Grid Connections Reform, a critical step toward accelerating Great Britain's clean power transition. The window, which commenced on July 8th and closes just before midnight on July 29th, invites energy generation and demand projects with existing connection agreements to participate in this mandatory process.

This reform initiative is designed with two primary objectives: first, to purge the extensive grid queue of non-viable, or 'zombie,' projects that have contributed to significant bottlenecks; and second, to prioritize the connection of solar PV and wind renewable energy projects that align strategically with the national Clean Power 2030 (CP2030) Action Plan. NESO’s CP2030 report previously identified grid connection reform, alongside planning reform, as a key challenge to achieving the UK’s ambitious decarbonization goals.

Under the new framework, queue applicants must submit their evidence and application via a dedicated portal. Submissions will undergo assessment and be assigned a status based on project readiness and strategic alignment with the UK’s energy objectives. Projects meeting the established criteria will be designated 'Gate 2,' receiving a confirmed modification offer that includes updated connection dates, site details, and necessary network reinforcement works. Conversely, projects not meeting the criteria will be placed in the 'Gate 1' stream, retaining a provisional deferred connections offer and the option to reapply for 'Gate 2' status during biannual application windows. Non-participation in this compulsory process will automatically relegate projects with signed agreements to 'Gate 1' status. NESO anticipates notifying projects starting in autumn this year, with the entire process slated for completion by early 2026.

Kayte O’Neill, NESO’s Chief Operating Officer, hailed the opening of the evidence window as a “key moment in the once-in-a-lifetime transformation of our electricity network, and a vital step for delivering clean power by 2030, while also helping supercharge economic growth for Great Britain.” She emphasized that prioritizing “critical and shovel-ready” projects would provide developers with the investment certainty required and assure consumers of a stable, clean power supply.

The reform, officially approved by regulator Ofgem in April following NESO’s final proposal late last year, addresses a staggering issue: some projects have faced waits of up to 15 years for grid connection. According to Ofgem, the grid queue had swelled tenfold in the past five years, reaching 756GW of projects as of February 2025, comprising 587GW at the transmission level and 178GW at the distribution network. While recent efforts have reduced the total queue to approximately 738GW, this still represents four times the clean energy generation capacity required to meet CP2030 targets. NESO asserts that its new assessment process will establish a simpler, more transparent, and significantly faster pathway for projects to connect.

Energy Minister Michael Shanks, speaking at the recent Clean Power 2030 Summit, underscored the importance of this milestone in overhauling the queue and “unleashing ready-to-go clean power projects.” He stated, “Developers in the queue now have the chance to demonstrate to NESO that their projects are ready to progress,” framing the initiative as a crucial step towards an energy system that liberates Britain from the volatility of global fossil fuel markets and permanently lowers energy bills.