The Connectology® Podcast by Roadnight Taylor

#84 Grid News and Views 18 - Part 2

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Kyle Murchie, Nikki Pillinger, and Rachael Eynon return for Part 2 of GNV18, covering Ofgem's end-to-end review progress and the rapidly evolving demand connections landscape. 

  • Ofgem's end-to-end review: working groups are already delivering, with DNOs and NESO committed to publishing registers of accepted demand connections from one megawatt and above 
    • Guaranteed connection dates: Nikki notes DNOs are open to the concept but timing must link to meaningful developer milestones — financial investment decision, contractor appointment, or construction planning — not offer stage 
      • Data transparency: SSEN and UKPN have improved demand data tools, now separating BESS and non-BESS demand at substation level 
        • Demand queue growth: the combined transmission and distribution queue grew from approximately 42 gigawatts to around 125 gigawatts between summer 2024 and summer 2025, driven by AI data centres, hydrogen, and industrial decarbonisation 
          • Information Request Notice: a mandatory NESO request targeting Gate 1 and Gate 2 demand customers requiring detailed project progress and financial information — closed on the 13 April 2026, with concerns raised about response quality given tight timescales 
            • DESNZ strategic demand consultation: running in parallel with responses due 15 April 2026, exploring enhanced queue readiness requirements, a strategic demand project designation process, and potential regional targets for data centre placement 

              • Recorded: 07 April 2026 

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              The Connectology® Podcast by Roadnight TaylorBy Roadnight Taylor