Welcome Ofgem Reform Is Not a Fix-All
Ofgem, the UK energy regulator, has approved reforms to the electricity grid connection process, aiming to eliminate stalled or inactive ‘zombie’ projects.
But there is still a long way to go to overcome all transmission and distribution bottlenecks.
Which calls for alternative, innovative solutions to connect major projects quickly and hit the country’s Clean Power 2030 targets.
By removing projects with little chance of being built, Ofgem is freeing up capacity for viable renewable projects instead.
Projects with planning consent and realistic timelines are now assured of connection to the grid within a far quicker timescale. This gives investors greater certainty and will hopefully accelerate the energy transition.
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) reports that some companies have been waiting up to 15 years to connect, with the queue having grown tenfold in just five years.
As of February 2025, Ofgem noted that a staggering 756GW of capacity was queued for connection – 587GW at the transmission level and 178GW on the distribution network.
The National Energy System Operator (NESO) and grid operators plan to begin issuing connection offers this Autumn, prioritising projects scheduled to connect in 2026 and 2027 – so-called Gate 1 projects.
Unlock the Capacity You Need
While welcome news, it isn’t a fix-all. Even with a cleaned-up connection queue, some regions of the UK – for example the South West of England, the Oxford-Cambridge corridor and parts of Scotland and Wales – still suffer from grid constraints, requiring physical infrastructure upgrades, not just administrative reform.
Also, some developers in Gate 2 – with projects yet to receive planning permission – are still concerned if and when they will make it into Gate 1, thus still face years of delay until a potential connection.
The reforms don’t appear to prioritise projects based on where power is needed most, so local constraints are still a barrier to being connected.
If your residential, mixed-use, or industrial development is stalled by grid constraints, a fully-funded SNRG SmartGrid could unlock the capacity you need – faster, smarter, and without the upfront cost.
Get in touch to see how a SmartGrid can support your project.
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