The reform aims to prioritise “ready” and “needed” projects for grid connection.
By Conrad Andersen, Simon J. Tysoe, John Guccione, Tom Bartlett, and Evelyne Girio
On 15 April 2025, the energy regulator for Great Britain, Ofgem, made its final decision to reform the electricity grid connection process, specifically by approving the National Energy System Operator’s (NESO’s) Target Model Option 4 (TMO4+) package of connection reform proposals.
The TMO4+ package of reforms will accelerate the grid connections for priority projects by replacing the current “first come, first connected” process with a “first ready and needed, first connected” process, which is based on project advancement and aligned with the technology mix required to achieve the government’s strategic plan. The reforms will necessitate a realignment of the existing grid connection queue, which will affect most existing projects seeking grid connection, including projects with an existing grid connection agreement but which are not yet connected.
Ofgem says so-called “zombie” projects (i.e., projects that have secured a place in the queue for grid connection but are not progressing or cannot be developed quickly due to the absence of land rights or planning consents) will no longer hold up the queue for connection to the grid.
This reform is a significant step in improving the electricity connection process in Great Britain, and crucial for achieving at least 95% of Great Britain’s electricity generation from clean power by 2030 (the CP2030 Action Plan). However, some in the industry expect this may drive divestments by poorly capitalised project developers.