Update on Electricity Grid Reform

At long last, there was a tangible update on the reforming of the electricity grid. Earlier this month, The National Energy Systems Operator (NESO) announced that there would be a pause in Grid Connection applications with effect from 29th January 2025. Pausing the grid application process will allow NESO to effectively ‘clear the decks’ of grid applications they have received to date. 

As such, there has been a flurry of activity and submission of grid connection applications before the end of the month.  

The exact format of the next phase of the reformed grid application process beyond 29th January 2025 is presently unknown. It still requires to be approved by Ofgem. However as stated in previous updates, the process will be more stringent and involve a greater amount of information and commitment – which it is hoped will eradicate speculative applications.  

Some in the industry have observed that the anticipated grid reform and subsequent reshuffling of the grid queue is likely to favour wind and solar projects, but not battery storage projects.