GB Connections Reform: The changes and what's next
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What has changed, what is coming next, and what it means for developers, investors and large demand customers in an evolving grid connections landscape.
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Total connection queue
700 GW2024/25 - up from 500 GW in 2023/24 -
Demand queue growth
3×Applications tripled between 2024 and 2025 -
Previous wait times
7–10 yrUnder the old first-come, first-served system
GB Connections Reform: The changes and what's next
Since 2023, Great Britain's electricity transmission connection process has undergone its most significant overhaul in decades, driven by an unsustainable surge in applications and the urgent need to deliver Clean Power 2030. This briefing explains what has been reformed, what is still being debated, and the practical consequences for everyone seeking a grid connection.
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Sign in to access the full analysisKey milestones: April 2025 to early 2027
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Demand connection reform
For generation, strategic alignment was assessed against Clean Power 2030 regional plans. All demand connections were initially classified as strategically aligned by default; reflecting their economic importance. That blanket treatment is now being questioned due to surge in applications. Ofgem and DESNZ are moving toward a three-pillar framework:
Plan
Develop forward-looking plans for demand connections aligned with system needs and national infrastructure priorities.
Curate
Introduce readiness criteria and financial commitments (deposits, PCFs or non-refundable fees) to filter speculative applications.
Connect
Implement code modifications to unlock flexible, ramped, and fast-tracked connections for priority projects, including AI Growth Zones.
The reform has the potential to deliver significant long-term benefits, its implementation has been challenging, with a complex process, portal issues, and delays. For many projects, this uncertainty around connection dates and outcomes is becoming a real risk and challenge for the future.
Emma Carr Senior Consultant, LCP Delta
