The UK’s grid connection system is undergoing its most significant transformation in decades. With 739 GW of projects stuck in the queue and over 1,700 new applications in 2023 and 2024 alone, the system has hit a breaking point, clogging the project pipeline and causing years-long delays.
Recognising the urgency, the National Energy System Operator (NESO) introduced reforms to cut through the backlog and bring order to the chaos. These changes, now under review by the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem), are designed to prioritise viable projects, eliminate speculative applications, and fast-track grid access.