Britain’s energy regulator Ofgem has approved a series of reforms aimed at accelerating grid connections for clean energy projects, a move intended to help the UK meet its net zero targets and unlock significant investment opportunities.
The measures, submitted in December 2024 and developed jointly by the energy industry, government, and Ofgem, are designed to address the growing backlog of connection requests. The current system holds more than 750 gigawatts of capacity in the queue — significantly more than required to meet the UK’s 2030 and 2050 decarbonisation goals.
The reforms aim to prioritise “shovel-ready” projects that are capable of delivering clean electricity in the near term. According to the National Energy System Operator (NESO), the changes will improve efficiency in using existing transmission infrastructure, enhance investor confidence, and support faster deployment of renewable power.
“These reforms are a critical step in ensuring that grid connections become a driver rather than a barrier to the energy transition,” NESO said.
Developers are expected to benefit from increased clarity and predictability, unlocking what industry leaders describe as a £40 billion annual investment opportunity.
Among the changes is CMP446, a proposal that would reduce delays for smaller-scale projects — such as community energy schemes and micro solar installations — by lowering the threshold for requiring a Transmission Impact Assessment. This aims to prevent such projects from being held up by larger transmission upgrades elsewhere on the network.
The reforms also introduce incentives for project progression while maintaining protections for developments already well advanced in the connection process.
Sam Richards, CEO of the pro-growth campaign group Britain Remade, welcomed Ofgem’s decision, especially the commitment to remove stalled or “zombie” projects from the queue.
“Any steps to speed up the time it takes for infrastructure projects to secure a grid connection are welcome news,” Richards said. “It’s ridiculous that projects which will never get off the ground are allowed to squat in the grid queue year after year, simply by paying a few thousand pounds, while much-needed new energy sources and growth-driving AI data centres are forced to wait years for a connection.”
The reforms form part of broader efforts to double the rate of grid infrastructure construction over the next five years, compared with the pace over the past decade.
