NESO confirms projects for grid connection

More than 300GW of energy projects have been removed from the grid connections queue as part of a major overhaul by the system operator.

The National Energy System Operator (NESO) said it was also advancing 283GW of generation and storage capacity and 99 GW of transmission-connected projects as part of reforms which prioritises investments that are ready to build and aligned with national energy targets.

NESO said the previous system contributed to a queue of more than 700 GW of schemes, around four times what is expected to be needed in 2030.

Developers will now be informed whether their projects are within the prioritised pipeline or placed at Gate 1, where they will need to meet further criteria before they can be considered for a future connection slot.

Kayte O’Neill, Chief Operating Officer, NESO: “These changes will cut grid bottlenecks by prioritising ready-to-build projects, giving certainty about when and where they can connect and unlocking billions in clean energy investment.”