NESO issues new evidence handbook to guide projects through Connections Reform

NESO has worked with ENA and network colleagues to develop a comprehensive ‘Evidence Submission Handbook’ to help guide electricity projects of all sizes through the TMO4+ connections process ahead of the formal evidence window later this summer.

Alongside the handbook, DNOs will today open an evidence submission process for embedded generation on the regional distribution networks to provide information to DNOs on the progression of their projects. 

This new evidence submission process will enable small and mediums sized projects on the regional distribution networks to provide evidence to their Distribution Network Operator (DNO).

To further support customers, ENA will host additional guidance on how to submit evidence to DNOs on its website and also provide further insights and address any queries at ENA Connections Reform Seminar on the 10th of June. NESO, ENA, and network colleagues will run a joint webinar submission before the end of May to walk through the Evidence Submission Handbook.

Given the thousands of applications that need to be reviewed and reordered as part of connections reform, a critical step to the success of this stage of the process will be for developers of all sizes to proactively engage with each stage of the process and to ensure that their contact information is accurately provided to DNOs and NESO. This will ensure that projects do not miss out on future information, on the next stages of connections reform.

Later this summer NESO will open the formal TMO4+ transmission evidence window where DNOs will submit evidence to NESO, on behalf of embedded generation on their network. Projects connecting to the national transmission network will submit evidence to NESO directly at this stage.

Once this evidence window closes NESO will use the information submitted to reorder the connections queue to support a first ready and needed, first connected model that will encourage projects to demonstrate their progression. The first new connections agreements under this reformed model will prioritise projects critical to the delivery of Clean Power by 2030.

Matt Vickers, Director of Connections Reform, NESO

The success of connections reform to date has been built on close collaboration with industry through the design phase, as we move into implementation of reforms it is critical that we maintain this collaboration. The clear guidance in the evidence submission handbook represents a single point of truth for customers of all sizes. Throughout the delivery of connections reform NESO aims to provide clear information that supports a fair and equal process.

It is vitally important that developers of all sizes engage with the evidence handbook and submit their evidence as early as possible during this process. for distribution network connection generation, engage with their DNO’s through this evidence submission process, so that they can benefit from this extra support.

David Boyer, Director of Electricity Systems at ENA, said:

“The transformation of the grid connection process continues to accelerate, focused on the needs of our customers. These changes will help optimise the queue and allow viable and urgently needed projects to connect, aligning with the government’s plan for Clean Power 2030. 

“Now is the time for distribution-embedded developers to submit evidence to their DNO, and for transmission customers to engage with NESO. We have collaborated with NESO to create this handbook as a one-stop shop so customers of all types and sizes know how to proceed.”