Connections reform timeline
Connections Reform Timeline
Connections Reform Timeline Update – 13 February 2026
Joint industry statement
From NESO, Transmission Owners, Distribution Network Operators, and Delivery Partners
Timeline Update
NESO, Transmission Owners (TOs), Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) and our wider delivery partners are jointly confirming updates to the delivery timeline for Connections Reform.
We recognise that to date there has been considerable uncertainty for customers on the programme and, in particular, when offers should be expected, and we are committed to improving how we communicate and coordinate across the industry.
As set out in the January joint statement, technical and engineering matters had been identified post-queue formation which required time to review. This review has meant the overall timeline needs to be updated. Following joint review, TOs, DNOs and NESO have agreed a revised timeline, set out below.
The following timeframes for offers being sent out are as follows:
- 2026/2027 Protected transmission and large embedded offers: between 13 February 2026 and mid-April 2026
- 2026/2027 Protected distribution offers: between early March 2026 and end May 2026
- Gate 2 Phase 1 transmission and large embedded offers: between mid-May 2026 and mid-September 2026
- Gate 2 Phase 1 distribution offers: between early July 2026 and mid-November 2026
- Gate 2 Phase 2 transmission and large embedded offers: between early September 2026 and mid-January 2027
- Gate 2 Phase 2 distribution offers: between mid-October 2026 and mid-March 2027
Changes in sequencing will mean that some locations may issue offers earlier than others, based on engineering complexity and the scale of reassessment required. This will allow more customers to receive certainty sooner while maintaining whole system coordination.
Across the industry, all partners are aligned behind a single objective: to deliver accurate, timely connection offers and clear, transparent communication throughout the Connections Reform programme.
To keep customers informed about our progress in delivering connection offers, NESO will publish regular dashboards that provide a clear snapshot of performance against key milestones along the delivery timeline.
FAQ – Last updated 13 February 2026
Immediately following creation of the new connections delivery pipeline in December 2025, NESO, network operators and delivery partners kicked off a review of the Connections Reform delivery timeline in light of the newly established list of phase one and phase two connecting projects. Through this work, technical and engineering matters have been identified, and require resolution to ensure that offers issued through the programme will be robust, reliable and technically accurate.
Two main factors have led to the need for a revised timeline:
- Updated background assumptions have been needed in some locations where the volume of projects at Gate 2 are higher than forecast. NESO has needed time to set up these new assumptions, and the network companies will now need time to rerun their studies going into the engineering phase of the programme.
- Offers development in some areas require additional time to ensure that construction planning assumptions are accurate.
Additional work related to these matters will take longer than planned. This is not a wholesale timeline change: all parties remain focused on maintaining momentum, issuing as many offers as early as possible.
We recognise that any change to the timeline creates uncertainty, particularly in relation to resourcing and investment. The additional work underway is intended to strengthen delivery across the programme and increase confidence in the offers that will be issued.
Locational sequencing means we’ll release offers, area by area, as soon as the technical work is complete for that area. This avoids waiting for different types of offers to be ready and ensures customers in “ready” areas don’t face unnecessary delays. We can confirm that Scotland will be the nation to issue offers first.
We now have a new NESO & Transmission Owner (TO) support model designed specifically for the reviewed timeline. More information can be found here.
DNO customers should continue to seek guidance from their DNO. NESO and TOs will be working in the background to support them.
In recognition of the competing factors that will determine the timing of the next application window, the revised timeline has removed the "no earlier than date".
You can learn more about these factors in this webinar recording (Minutes 7 to 14).
This is a joint industry programme. NESO and network operators are responsible for delivery of the connections reform, approved by Ofgem last year, with government mandating the strategic direction and eligible technologies. We continue to closely engage with Ofgem and DESNZ on delivering the programme and provide customers with clear, reliable information as quickly as possible.
A New Customer Support Model for Offers
Alongside updated timeline information, NESO and TOs are introducing a new, centralised customer support model to improve the experience for transmission connected customers receiving Gate 2 offers. To address feedback on consistency and timely responses, a dedicated multi‑organisational support team is being established, with clear service levels, standardised processes and improved routing of technical queries.
Customers will now have:
- A single, clear way to raise technical queries and change requests via the forms provided with their offer.
- Defined response timelines for queries to support timely offer review.
- A more consistent experience, with access to the right technical expertise regardless of project or region.
- Clear guidance on what can and cannot be changed within an offer, and how to request those changes.
See more info here.
This new approach ensures that every customer receives a transparent, fair and predictable service while enabling NESO and TOs to maintain pace across a large volume of offers.