Connectologists® Kyle, Catherine, and Philip are joined by Alex in her first Grid News & Views as a Connectologist®, covering Connections Reform developments, code modifications, and emerging challenges as Gate 2 offers approach.

Ofgem has confirmed a backstop-only role in disputes, meaning developers must now work through all NESO processes and arbitration before escalation—making a clear understanding of NESO’s complaint routes more important than ever.

Gate 2 pressures intensify:

Also in this episode:

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Connectologists® Pete Aston and Kyle Murchie are back with the latest Grid News and Views! After a four-month break, they dive into the big changes shaping Britain's grid connections — from NESO's new Gate 2 timeline to long-awaited reforms in network charging.

They break down what the new Gate 2 process really means for developers: complex timelines, delayed offers, and growing uncertainty around project acceptance and design changes. Pete and Kyle also unpack the latest on connection charging — including DCP461 and CMP460, two major reforms aiming to fix how shared infrastructure costs are split across projects.

Plus, they tackle the UK's unexpected demand boom: data centres now make up most of the 100+ GW of new demand in the queue — more than Britain's entire current peak demand! What does this mean for future connections, system design, and government policy?

If you're working in energy, development, or infrastructure, this episode is your quick guide to the fast-moving world of grid connections and reform.

Our links:

Website: https://roadnighttaylor.co.uk/

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In this episode of the Connectology podcast, Connectologist® Pete Aston sits down with Alan Pritchard from FarrPoint to explore the booming world of data centres – the hidden infrastructure powering everything from cloud services to artificial intelligence.

Alan explains what data centres are, why they've suddenly become headline news, and how they've grown from anonymous grey boxes to critical national infrastructure. He shares insights into the sheer scale and cost of these projects – with a 100MW facility costing around £1 billion – and why the UK's total capacity is still just 1.5GW.

The episode covers:

Alongside this episode, we've released our Comprehensive Data Centre Report, which reveals that half of UK developers underestimate connection times by seven years — a gap that can make or break projects. The report also highlights barriers around grid access, energy pricing, and clean power investment.

👉 https://roadnighttaylor.co.uk/powering-great-britains-data-centre-ambitions/

Whether you're an energy developer, tech insider, or simply curious about the digital engines behind your smartphone and streaming services, this episode offers a fascinating and timely look at the future of digital infrastructure.

In this episode of the Connectology® podcast, we sit down with Mikey Clark, CEO of Relode Energy, to explore how the UK’s energy infrastructure must evolve to meet rising demand—from transport to ports to AI.

We unpack the idea of power parks and the practical steps needed to electrify hard-to-reach sectors.

Key Conversation Points:

If you're in energy, logistics, or infrastructure—or just curious how we’ll keep the lights on in a net-zero world—this episode offers real-world solutions and forward-thinking insight from someone building the future of energy.

Recorded 24 June 2025

Our links:

Website: https://roadnighttaylor.co.uk/

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The UK’s grid is at breaking point. Thousands of energy projects are stuck in the queue, and many may never get built. In this episode of the Connectology® podcast, Ed Birkett from Low Carbon joins Kyle Murchie and Catherine Cleary to explain what’s going wrong—and what needs to change.

Together, they dive into the challenges facing the UK’s grid connection process, from overloaded queues to “zombie projects” that block real progress.

Key topics discussed includes:

• Why the grid queue is five times bigger than it needs to be

• The risks of relying too heavily on uncertain technologies like floating offshore wind

• Why project drop-out (attrition) is being ignored—and how that could derail 2030 clean power targets

• The need for public consultation and better data in future planning

• How co-locating solar and battery storage can ease pressure on the grid—but is being overlooked

Ed also sounds the alarm on how secretive and rushed decision-making could lead to poor outcomes—and why transparency is essential as we move toward the Strategic Spatial Energy Plan.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone involved in renewable energy, policy, or planning in the UK!

Ed's LinkedIn post - what are the risks in NESO's reforms to the grid queue? https://www.linkedin.com/posts/edwardbirkett_lc-response-to-ofgem-connections-reform-m2-activity-7309878224090464257-Rk4j?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAABcpJLkBqpA9EUs8BicHQToAo6NV08hd4lU

Recorded 08 July 2025

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Super Grid Transformer (SGT) charging remains a critical but unresolved issue in the energy sector. The focus on Connections Reform meant progress on SGT charging stalled. Now that Connections Reform is taking shape, it’s time to turn attention back to this challenge.

To help move the conversation forward, we brought together a range of industry voices —Innova, Octopus Energy Generation, Centrica and Diageo — for a round-table discussion. Kyle Murchie and Pete Aston then spoke one-on-one with each participant about their experiences and ideas for solutions.

This longer podcast captures those in-depth conversations. If you’re looking for a shorter overview, visit our SGT charging highlights podcast.

The podcasts explore how today’s SGT charging framework affects project delivery, investor confidence, and the path to net zero. They also consider initial ideas for change — including greater transparency, clearer codification, and options like socialising costs.

Recorded 13 May 2025

Our links:

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Super Grid Transformer (SGT) has been a hot topic for some time (indeed Roadnight Taylor issued an open letter to Ofgem in 2023) but the issue remains unresolved with progress stalled as the industry focused on delivering Connections Reform. With key aspects of that reform now in place, attention can return to SGT charging — an area that has seen little movement compared to other code modifications already underway.

There’s growing recognition that this gap needs addressing, especially as Ofgem and network operators are beginning to show renewed interest and propose solutions — though often from specific standpoints. As the issue becomes increasingly urgent, Roadnight Taylor hosted a round table of experts from across the energy and development sectors. Representatives from Innova, Octopus Energy Generation, Centrica and Diageo shared their experiences as various types of developers and connectees.

Rather than seeking to define a final solution, the roundtable aimed to generate informed discussion that could support future working groups. Following the session, Kyle Murchie and Pete Aston recorded individual interviews with each participant to explore their specific challenges and proposed solutions.

These conversations have been produced as two podcast episodes:

The podcasts discuss the current SGT charging arrangements, their impact on project viability, investment decisions, and decarbonisation goals. They also explore early ideas for reform, such as socialisation of costs, codification, and improved transparency. They aim to drive the conversation forward and build momentum toward establishing a formal working group that can deliver a fair, practical solution for SGT charging.

Recorded 13 May 2025

Our links:

Website: https://roadnighttaylor.co.uk/

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Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/roadnight-taylor-ltd/

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Roadnight Taylor is delighted to welcome Matt Vickers, Director of Connections Reform at NESO, to this episode of the Connectology ® podcast!

Matt shares his experience from leading one of the biggest overhauls in the UK energy sector—fixing a broken grid connections system and tackling a huge project queue. With his background as an energy ombudsman, he brings a fresh perspective on the challenges and urgency of making change happen.

In this episode, Matt and the Connectologists® discuss:

If you’re a developer, investor, or just following the energy transition, this is a must-listen. Matt offers practical advice, honest reflections, and a look at what’s next.

Recorded 30 June 2025

Our links:

Registration for the NESO portal run through on Friday 4 July 

Website: https://roadnighttaylor.co.uk/

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In this episode of the Connectology® podcast, Connectologists® Pete Aston, Catherine Cleary, and Nikki Pillinger unpack the latest developments in grid connections, Gate 2 timelines, and ongoing industry reforms. With some DNOs now issuing grid variation offers with just 10–14 days to accept, developers are facing serious time pressure—especially when terms are unclear or revised.

The team explores when and how it may be possible to push for more time and why being prepared matters more than ever.

They also run through key Gate 2 milestones:

• Application window: 8–29 July

• NESO decisions expected in September

• Offers issued from October (for transmission) and from January (for distribution) Submitting early is strongly recommended—leaving it late could mean delays, basic application rejections, or missing the window altogether. But getting an offer is only half the battle.

The team digs into whether these Gate 2 offers will actually be deliverable, given the rising costs and complexity developers are facing.

Major challenges include:

• High SGT reinforcement costs

• Large security and liability obligations

• Risky curtailment terms

• More demanding application and deposit requirements

With submissions due by 29 July and NESO support limited from 6 August, time is running short.

Recorded 24 June 2025

Our links: Website: https://roadnighttaylor.co.uk/

Newsletter sign up: https://roadnighttaylor.co.uk/connect...

Follow us on LinkedIn: / roadnight-taylor-ltd

Find if we fit at [email protected]

In this episode of the Connectology® podcast, Connectologists® Pete Aston, Philip Bale, and Kyle Murchie break down the latest on Connections Reform—especially what it means for developers navigating Gate 2 applications.

The podcast discusses:

Learn from the Connectologists® how to make your Gate 2 application stand out—by submitting accurate plans, a solid summary, and clear land info to keep your project on track.

This episode is packed with insights to help developers stay ahead in a fast-changing grid environment!

Recorded 30 May 2025

Our links: Website:https://roadnighttaylor.co.uk/

Newsletter sign up: https://roadnighttaylor.co.uk/connectology/

Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/roadnight-taylor-ltd/

Talk to us at [email protected]