Improving Connections for Net Zero: INA's Ofgem Response

⚡Britain’s connections system is under pressure, with rising demand from housing, EV charging, electrified heat, storage and generation. That’s why Ofgem’s Connections End-to-End Review matters.⚡   As a member of the INA (Independent Networks Association), we welcome the focus on reforms that give customers usable data, clearer accountability across the chain, and credible dates customers can rely on — while keeping competition in the market. Better information, credible dates and true end-to-end responsibility will help create a connections system customers can plan around. Read the INA’s full response below ⬇️ #ConnectionsReform #INA #grid

Connections reform is an issue I’m seeing come up again and again: customers need clearer answers, earlier, on what can connect and when. Our new blog sets out the INA’s view on the Ofgem connections end-to-end review and what connections reform needs to deliver: • Open, usable data at the start (capacity, constraints, curtailment/outage assumptions, queue and milestone status) • End-to-end accountability across the chain, including DNO/TO/NESO hand-offs • Milestones that measure quality as well as speed • Credible connection dates customers can plan around, with responsibility sitting with the root cause of delay • A level playing field for competition, including timely charges information and EHV charging transparency Blog link below;

We welcome Ofgem’s focus on fixing the connections process end-to-end. The priority now is usable data, clearer accountability across the chain, and credible dates customers can rely on — while keeping competition working in contestable markets. Connections reform must translate into real-world improvements for customers: clearer pre-application data, better hand-offs between parties, and milestones that measure quality as well as speed. #Connections #NetZero #ElectricityNetworks #Infrastructure #everythingconnects

Connections reform must translate into real-world improvements for customers: clearer pre-application data, better hand-offs between parties, and milestones that measure quality as well as speed. As a founding member of the INA, we contributed to their response to Ofgem’s Connections End-to-End Review. Read the INA’s blog on what success should look like: https://lnkd.in/etCE84y9 Mick Beeby Michael Blake #Connections #Energy #NetZero #Planning

Britain’s connections system is under strain — and customers still face delays, uncertainty and unclear decisions. We’ve published a new blog setting out INA’s view on the 𝗢𝗳𝗴𝗲𝗺 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗲𝗻𝗱-𝘁𝗼-𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 and what connections reform must deliver in practice: ✅ 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻, 𝘂𝘀𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗮 so customers can see what’s possible early (capacity, constraints, curtailment/outage assumptions, queue and milestone status) ✅ 𝗘𝗻𝗱-𝘁𝗼-𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 across the full chain, including DNO/TO/NESO hand-offs ✅ 𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝘀 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗲𝗱, so offers are complete and reliable ✅ 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 customers can plan around, with responsibility sitting with the root cause of delay ✅ 𝗔 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, including timely charges information and EHV charging transparency for major projects Read the blog here: https://lnkd.in/etCE84y9 #Ofgem #Connections #ElectricityNetworks #NetZero #Infrastructure #Energy #Housing #EVCharging

🔌 Improving Grid Connections: Why Ofgem’s End‑to‑End Review Matters Britain’s connections system is under growing pressure as demand for new grid connections accelerates. The Independent Networks Association (INA) highlights that customers still face delays, uncertainty, and limited visibility across the process — and that’s exactly why Ofgem’s Connections End‑to‑End Review is so important. [ina.org.uk] INA emphasises three priorities that the review must deliver: ·      Clear, usable, transparent data Customers need to understand where, when, and how they can connect — supported by accurate, complete and up‑to‑date data. Better visibility on capacity, constraints, curtailment assumptions, queue position and milestones will improve early decision‑making and support genuine competition. [ina.org.uk] ·      End‑to‑end accountability Delays often arise at hand‑offs between DNOs, TOs, NESO and independent providers. INA argues that connections should be managed as one integrated process, with clear responsibility for progress and transparency on dependencies. [ina.org.uk] ·      Performance metrics that measure quality, not just speed Faster offers are not enough if they lack essential detail. Quality, completeness, and reliability must be embedded into how performance is tracked, ensuring customers can plan with confidence How can industry and regulators work better together to deliver truly end‑to‑end accountability? #utilities #DNO #connections https://lnkd.in/eKU7rawC

Grid reform - What's the bottom line? We all know first‑come, first‑served is dead. That’s old news. The real question is: after months of DESNZ, NESO and Ofgem consultations landing thick and fast — what’s the bottom line? Here it is, without the jargon: 1. DESNZ has set the direction of travel Through joint publications with Ofgem, DESNZ has made it clear: the connections system must support Clean Power 2030, economic growth and system security. That means prioritising credible, strategically important projects — not just early applicants. 2. NESO has redesigned the pipeline NESO’s new connections delivery pipeline replaces the old queue with a system that moves shovel‑ready, nationally aligned projects to the front. It’s backed by whole‑system planning and spatial energy mapping to identify where reinforcement is actually needed. 3. Ofgem has locked in the discipline Ofgem’s decisions introduce: - milestone‑based progression - queue curation - evidence‑based readiness - higher‑quality offers from networks These reforms are about fixing a system that had become congested, slow and unpredictable. What's the bottom line? For the first time, the UK has a joined‑up governance chain: DESNZ → NESO → Ofgem → Networks → Customers The winners will be organisations that can demonstrate: - readiness - evidence - strategic value - credible delivery The era of “queue position” is over. The era of governance‑grade projects has begun. If you’re trying to navigate this shift — or understand what it means for your sector — I’m always open to a conversation.

As with the CP2030 generation and storage reforms we are doing everything we can to make sure our clients are prepared for the impending demand reforms. The current NESO IRN is the latest example and something, ensuring our clients have a carefully considered strategy in mind when responding. Get in touch if you like a chat about the IRN and how we get support with the submission.

🔔 If you have a transmission-level demand connection, you need to act now 🔔  National Energy System Operator (#NESO) has issued a mandatory Information Request Notice (IRN) covering: • All transmission-connected demand customers  • Projects with co-located demand (e.g. data centres, hybrid sites) ⏰ Deadline: 5pm, Monday 13 April 2026  This is a key step in the Demand Connections Reform work with Ofgem and DESNZ and it will feed directly into how the demand queue is assessed and managed going forward. What this IRN is really about:  • Testing project readiness and deliverability  • Understanding delivery risks and forward plans  • Building evidence to support queue entry / retention criteria (Curate)  • Informing new connection approaches and acceleration pathways (Connect)  • Improving overall demand pipeline health  This is a crucial chance to feed into the direction of transmission connected demand in GB, and make sure that future reforms are fair, and result in an effective and efficient demand pipeline. 📩 Important reminders:  • The IRN is mandatory and issued under NESO’s statutory information powers  • You should have already acknowledged receipt  • If you expected to be contacted but haven’t, email: Box.NESOstrategicdemandconnections@neso.energy 👉 If you need support preparing your response or sense-checking your position, please get in touch - info@blakeclough.com #powernetworks #powersystems #queuereform #CP2030 #renewableenergy

Interconnection processes are evolving to address growing queues and increasing system complexity. The move toward cluster study frameworks and stronger readiness requirements is improving study efficiency and visibility into grid impacts. At the same time, higher penetration of inverter-based resources (IBR) highlights the importance of dispatchable assets, ramp-rate capability, and system strength for reliable operations. The grid is no longer just about capacity—it’s about flexibility, dynamic performance, and operational resilience.