Connections
At National Energy System Operator (NESO), we manage the contracts for connecting and generating power that impacts the electricity transmission system. If you're connecting to the gas transmission system, please refer to National Gas. We work with Transmission Owners (TOs) to support customer connections. Here, you will find all you need to know about the connections process, and connecting to or using the National Electricity Transmission System (NETS).
An evolving electricity system
In recent years, significant strides have been made to decarbonise the electricity system and deliver cleaner energy for everyone.
This progress has led to an unprecedented increase in applications to connect to the transmission system.
The electricity system has rapidly evolved from relying on a few large fossil fuel generators to incorporating a diverse range of supplies, including renewable generation and storage.
The system must also adapt to meet new electricity demands. However, the process for connecting to the electricity transmission system, established nearly 20 years ago for fewer, larger power plants, has remained largely unchanged.
The challenge
To keep up with the pace of change, we need to reform how projects connect to the electricity transmission system to deliver benefits to consumers as soon as possible.
As of July 2024, there were over 550GW of projects contracted to connect to the transmission system, compared to nearly 90GW of connected generation already on the system. And, in the financial year 23/24, there was a 4% increase in applications to connect. Ensuring the physical electricity system can adapt to meet these demands has become a key priority.
What are we doing now?
Queue management
Our five-point plan
We recognise the challenges around connections and the application process. As a result, we have launched our five-point-plan of tactical initiatives to help improve the connections process in the short-term.
Connections Reform
All formal Connections Reform Consultation responses received are now under review, and we will be going back out to our stakeholder governance groups in September to establish our final recommendations.
Transitional Offers
Following Ofgem’s decision on 21 August 2024, any new directly connected transmission application made from 2 September 2024, will receive a Transitional Offer.
Connections process
ESO’s role in Connections
As the Electricity System Operator for Great Britain, it’s our job to move electricity safely, reliably and efficiently through the system.
Your Connections journey
This is a high level view of the connections process from start to finish. There are also some useful resources to help you along the way, from applying for your connection agreement, to disconnecting from the National Electricity Transmission System (NETS).
Connections Portal
The Connections Portal has been designed to transform the connections journey and account management for all customers.
Connections Offer Process
Our step-by-step guide takes you through the entire connections offer process, from pre-application to contract signature. You’ll also find links to more information that will help you submit an application.
Customer Connection events
In this section, we’ve got everything you need to get involved with our customer connection events.
Compliance Process
This page summarises the Operational Notification and Compliance Process (ONCP) facilitated by ESO in respect of new generation connections.
Reports and registers
This page has contains Connections registers, reports and other relevant publications prepared by our Connections team, Including the TEC, Embedded and Interconnector registers.
Connections help and support
We’ve brought together some tools and resources that we think will help you along your connections journey.