Preparing to submit evidence: Readiness declaration
Preparing for evidence submission
As part of Connections Reform, subject to Ofgem’s approval, NESO will shortly begin the ‘Gate Two to Whole Queue’ process: customers with existing agreements, who wish to apply for Gate 2 contracts, must submit evidence to show they meet the new ‘readiness criteria’, and will be assessed for strategic alignment.
NESO’s Gate 2 Criteria Methodology sets out the process and evidence requirements for project to show they are ‘ready’ to connect. A key part of the process is that customers with existing agreements, wishing to progress their project(s) to ‘Gate 2’, must submit their Readiness Declaration. The Readiness Declaration that NESO (or DNOs and Transmission connected iDNOs) needs customers to complete, and sign, is required to declare and evidence that each project is ‘Gate 2 ready’, and eligible for a place in the new connections queue.
We anticipate that NESO’s evidence submission window will open in the early summer, depending on Ofgem’s decisions and guidance. DNOs and Transmission connected iDNOs are likely to start to accept Readiness Declarations prior to this point in time. Exact dates will be confirmed by NESO and the respective DNOs and Transmission connected iDNOs in the near future.
Evidence submission overview:
| Transmission project | Evidence submission to NESO. |
|---|---|
| Large Distribution generation projects with a BEGA or BELLA |
Evidence submission to NESO. Please note, NESO will seek acknowledgement of the submission from the relevant Distribution Network Operator. |
| Small / Medium Distribution generation projects, and Small / Medium Distribution generation projects with a BEGA | Evidence submission (including those with a BEGA) to the relevant Distribution Network Operator (DNO), who will share the evidence submission on their behalf with NESO. |
As of April 11th, 2025, NESO has published the following to support customer’s preparation for evidence submission:
- A draft of the Readiness Declaration template.
- This is in Excel sheet format and contains handy notes to help and guide customers
- Note when NESO’s formal evidence window opens this will be in a portal format
- The Excel sheet is for early sight only and cannot be submitted. Submissions can only be made on the portal once open
- This draft will be updated following Ofgem’s decision
- Updated guidance for Letters of Authority (LOA)
- This is a key document to allow customers to show that they have the right minimum land density for their Project
- Updated information on queue management guidelines
- This is a key document to show how Queue Management Milestones are set and managed, and includes further information on potential Original Red Line Boundary exceptions
We know this process is complex and that some customers will need more support.
The infographic below outlines what support you can expect from us as we support you through this process.
Readiness Declaration form download
The Readiness Declaration that NESO (or DNOs and Transmission connected iDNOs) needs customers to complete, and sign, is required to declare and evidence that each project is ‘Gate 2 ready’, and eligible for a place in the new connections queue.
Readiness Pre process
For any customers wishing to progress connections applications to Gate 2, the next important step is the readiness declaration form. For most customers, we anticipate you can proceed directly to reviewing the Readiness Declaration template and start to gather your evidence.
Queue management
Ofgem previously approved Code Modification CMP376 – Inclusion of Queue Management process within the Connection and Use of System Code (CUSC). We have updated our previous Queue Management (QM) Guidance to reflect the ‘TMO4+’ changes.
Letter of Authority (LoA)
This letter provides NESO with confirmation that the project developer has either formally engaged in discussions with the landowner(s) in respect to the land rights needed to enable the construction of the project on the land, or to demonstrate land ownership.
How we will help with evidence submission
The infographic outlines what support you can help from us as we support you through this process.