The National Energy System Operator (NESO) has formally opened an evidence submission window for connections to the grid.
NESO says a new assessment process will speed through updated contracts for projects totalling around 170GW that are needed by 2030. It says the new process will be simpler, more transparent and faster, compared with the previous process. The process became unmanageable with a ‘queue’ of 738GW, more than four times the clean generation capacity required by 2030. 
Generation and demand projects with an existing connections agreement can make evidence submissions in the new process.
Kayte O’Neill, Chief Operating Officer, National Energy System Operator, said, “By prioritising agreements for projects that are critical and shovel-ready, developers will get the certainty they need to support investment decisions. It also gives energy consumers, from households and hospitals to electric car charging stations and data centres – the confidence of clean and stable power for generations to come.
“We advise all applicants to ensure they submit the correct evidence, so that we can assess applications fully and fairly.”
Applicants currently in the connections queue have until 23:59 on 29 July to submit their application and evidence. Projects will be assessed and assigned a status based on their readiness and strategic alignment with the UK’s energy goals. They will then be placed in one of two streams that govern how projects enter and progress through the connections process.
Those placed in ‘Gate 2’ will be judged to have met NESO’s criteria for connection, and will receive a confirmed modification offer, including updated connection dates, site details, and any required reinforcement works.
Projects that do not meet the readiness or strategic alignment criteria will be placed in ‘Gate 1’, remaining in the system but with a provisional deferred connections offer. They will be able to reapply through future biannual application windows for a ‘Gate 2’ status.
Transmission connected customers or large embedded generators must submit evidence directly to NESO. Smaller distribution projects should submit evidence directly to their DNO, who will then pass it to NESO.