UK’s National Grid Electricity System Operator (ESO) has introduced targeted further reforms, which build on its five-point plan, to speed up connections to the electricity grid. The ESO has written to parties seeking to connect to the transmission system to ask for updates on progress and project milestones, so that non-viable projects can be identified enabling those that are ready and able to connect to the grid much more quickly.
Energy generators that are not progressing and will not meet their connection date will either be able to choose to move backwards or leave the queue, in order to make way for projects that want to connect and are delivering on their milestones. These reforms will mean that projects will be able to connect up to ten years earlier. The milestones that projects will have to meet are common sense points such as raising finance for the project, buying land, getting planning permission, and breaking ground. Projects with timelines impacted by network build delays outside the control of the developers will not be negatively impacted by these changes. To help in checking and verifying whether projects are progressing towards their contracted connection dates the ESO will be supported by an international engineering consultancy and a legal firm.
