TO BE PUBLISHED June 2025
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This conference will focus on grid infrastructure reform across England, Wales, and Scotland.
It will bring stakeholders and policymakers together to discuss the way forward for accelerating connections, streamlining regulatory processes, delivering network upgrades, and practical steps that will be needed if the Government’s targets for clean power and supporting economic growth are to be met.
Delegates will assess NESO’s First Ready, First Connected grid connections reforms package, recently approved by Ofgem and scheduled to go live in spring 2025. Areas for discussion include stakeholder preparedness, potential concerns, and whether additional reforms may be required to ensure that the new system facilitates both the move to decarbonisation and the UK’s Industrial Strategy.
There will be a focus on strategies for addressing challenges, including connections for renewables, battery storage, and new nuclear projects, alongside serving growth-related infrastructure such as AI data centres, industrial electrification, and housing developments. Delegates will consider the robustness of data used to assess grid impact, implications of prioritisation decisions, and coordination with broader objectives such as the Planning and Infrastructure Bill and the Clean Power 2030 Action Plan.
Priorities for the delivery of new grid infrastructure will be examined, including modernisation of transmission and distribution networks, National Grid’s RIIO-T3 investment plans, and the role of interconnectors and smart grids moving forward. Attendees will assess existing plans and options for alternative measures, such as zonal pricing, to address regional disparities and underpin efficient grid expansion.
Delegates will also consider funding for new developments, including public, private, and blended investment models, as well as the impact of grid connection delays on funding initiatives through Great British Energy and the National Wealth Fund. The role of Ofgem’s Strategic Innovation Fund and Accelerated Strategic Transmission Investment framework in driving investment whilst mitigating cost impacts on consumers will also be discussed.
Further sessions examine collaboration between key bodies, including Mission Control, NESO, Ofgem, National Grid, regional authorities, and devolved governments, and frameworks for delivering network reform at pace. We also expect discussion on possibilities for new legislation to align grid reform with 2030 Clean Power targets, alongside the role of Regional Energy Strategic Plans and longer-term electricity market reform through REMA.
With the agenda currently in the drafting stage, overall areas for discussion include:
- policy: legislative and regulatory coordination - the Planning and Infrastructure Bill and Ofgem reforms - potential for additional legislation - implications for strategic energy planning
- connections: NESO’s reform package - assessing readiness for implementation - implications for prioritisation - coordination with 2030 Clean Power targets
- grid capacity and demand: balancing requirements for renewables, battery storage, and new demands - infrastructure for AI data centres, public infrastructure and housing, and industry needs
- connections backlog: addressing zombie projects - assessing new financial commitment measures - considerations for fair prioritisation - potential for legal challenges
- transmission and distribution infrastructure: delivery challenges - RIIO-T3 investment plans - supply chain readiness - planning and permitting - workforce capacity and skills
- regional disparities and network planning: options for zonal pricing or reformed national pricing - strategic role of Regional Energy Strategic Plans - ensuring equitable access to grid infrastructure
- finance: mix of private and public investment - impact of delayed connections on funding for energy projects - role of Great British Energy and the National Wealth Fund
- regulatory coordination: collaboration between NESO, Ofgem, National Grid, and Mission Control - transparency and efficiency in regulatory processes - achieving timely decision-making
- communities and planning reform: delivering infrastructure whilst respecting public and environmental considerations - frameworks for community benefits - potential reforms to consenting processes
- longer-term electricity market reform: implications of REMA - potential for locational pricing - securing grid resilience and flexibility in a decarbonised energy system
