The National Energy System Operator (NESO) has announced an updated timeline to Great Britain’s grid connections process, aiming to fast-track shovel-ready clean energy projects and unlock up to £40 billion in annual economic growth.

This marks a significant departure from the traditional first-come, first-served model, reflecting a broader commitment to strategic planning and delivery certainty. The move is expected to reduce delays and improve transparency for developers navigating the grid connections process.

In this article, we explore the implications of NESO’s newly announced grid connections reforms, outlining how the changes may reshape project delivery timelines and strategic planning across the UK energy sector.

What is changing in NESO’s grid connections process?

NESO’s roadmap, developed in collaboration with the UK Government, Ofgem, and distribution network operators, introduces a restructured queue system that prioritises projects ready for delivery in 2026 and 2027. Revised connection offers will begin rolling out in December 2025, with longer-term projects addressed in the following year.

This reform responds to longstanding industry frustrations over grid bottlenecks and opaque connections timelines. NESO’s admission that its evidence submission portal had hindered progress underscores the need for legal clarity and procedural transparency.

Key considerations for UK energy developers:

  • Contractual certainty and risk allocation: Developers must revisit existing grid connections agreements and assess how revised offers may affect contractual obligations, delivery milestones, and force majeure clauses. Legal teams should prepare for renegotiations and potential disputes arising from the reordered queue.

  • Regulatory compliance and due diligence: With NESO’s new milestones and prioritisation criteria, legal advisors should ensure clients meet eligibility thresholds and maintain compliance with evolving regulatory frameworks. This includes alignment with Contracts for Difference (CfD) auctions and the Regional Energy System Plan.

  • Investor confidence and financing structures: The roadmap’s promise of reduced risk and increased certainty may catalyse investment. Legal teams should support clients in structuring finance deals that reflect the new timelines and mitigate exposure to regulatory shifts.

How NESO’s fast-track grid reform affects UK planning and infrastructure timelines

The acceleration of grid connections timelines is likely to have a ripple effect across associated planning and environmental processes. Projects with compressed delivery schedules may attract closer attention from local authorities and statutory consultees, particularly where infrastructure intersects with sensitive land use or regulatory thresholds.

As the new prioritisation framework takes shape, questions around procedural fairness and transparency may emerge especially from stakeholders whose projects are repositioned in the queue. Observing how NESO implements its roadmap in practice will be key to understanding the broader implications for governance, stakeholder engagement, and long-term infrastructure planning.

What should energy project teams be doing now?

  1. Engage early with NESO and grid operators: Proactively engage with NESO and distribution network operators to clarify your project’s position in the revised connections queue and understand any new requirements.

  2. Audit agreements: Identify exposure points and prepare for potential renegotiations or compliance updates.

  3. Monitor policy alignment: Track developments in CfD auctions and regional energy planning to ensure strategic alignment.

NESO’s grid reform represents a bold step toward achieving the UK’s 2030 clean power target. By introducing a more dynamic and readiness-based framework for infrastructure delivery, the roadmap encourages early engagement, strategic alignment, and greater delivery certainty. As the energy sector adapts, success will depend on proactive planning and a clear understanding of evolving regulatory priorities.

If your organisation is navigating the implications of NESO’s grid reform or preparing for upcoming changes to project delivery timelines, our Energy team is here to help. Please contact Gus Wood, James Stanier or George Nixon.