We recognise the challenges currently facing our connections customers and the need to update the connections application process. As a result, we launched the Connections Reform project to address these challenges and put our customers and stakeholders at the heart of this change.

Overview

This reform project forms part of our longer-term vision for change to the connections process. We also have a number of short-term initiatives to speed up connections to the grid, through our five-point plan.

All responses to our Connections Reform consultation are now being reviewed, and we’re working with stakeholder governance groups to refine our final proposals for implementing and transitioning to a new model. You can read the responses in the key documents section. 

Man using washing machine

Final recommendations report

We have published our final recommendations on 5 December 2023. These can be viewed on the key documents tab in the December 2023 Final Recommendations section. We will now start a detailed process design and implementation phase, to conclude in January 2025.

Download the final recommendations summary

You can Join us on 12 and 14 December to learn more about our final recommendations for Connections Reform. You will be able to join insightful discussions, network with industry experts, and gain valuable insights into the future of Connections Reform. These events will take place in Birmingham on 12 December and online on 14 December. 

Key documents

Summer 2023 consultation

Name Published
Consultation launch events Q&A 10 Jul 2023
Appendix 4 - Initial Recommendations Overview 12 Jun 2023
Appendix 1 - Stakeholder Engagement 12 Jun 2023
Appendix 3 - International case studies 12 Jun 2023
Connections Reform Summary 12 Jun 2023
Appendix 6 - Target Model Add-ons 12 Jun 2023
Appendix 2 - Design Criteria Assessment 12 Jun 2023
Connections Reform Consultation 12 Jun 2023
Appendix 7 - Consultation Questions 12 Jun 2023
Appendix 5 - Case Studies 12 Jun 2023

Summer 2023 consultation responses

Name Published
Response 65 - Solar Energy UK 18 Oct 2023
Response 58 - (SSEND) 18 Oct 2023
Response 41 - IB Vogt 18 Oct 2023
Response 59 - IGP 18 Oct 2023
Response 80 - SEAS 18 Oct 2023
Response 21 - INA 4 Sep 2023
Response 23 - ADE 4 Sep 2023
Response 26 - Banks Group 4 Sep 2023
Response 29 - Uniper 4 Sep 2023
Response 31 - ABP 4 Sep 2023
Phase 2 – Solution design

Phase 2 enabled us to co-create the solutions to the challenges we identified in Phase 1, through working with industry-wide stakeholder groups to create and test a series of options for implementation. This culminated in the launch of our consultation on our proposals.

Our consultation was live for six weeks between 13 June and 28 July. We would like to thank all of our stakeholders for their feedback which will help to shape the future of the connections process. 

All formal Connections Reform consultation responses received are now under review. We are now working with our stakeholder governance groups to establish our final recommendations and refine our proposals on how to implement and transition to a new operating model.

Phase 1 – Case for change

We spent phase 1 gathering stakeholder views to understand the current challenges with the connections application process, and articulated the case for change. We’ve met with over 100 customer, stakeholders and industry participants to hear your views on the current connections process. The case for change report pulls together all that feedback in to one central place.

GB Connections Reform – Case for change report

We have now finished pulling together your feedback for the GB Connections Reform – Case for Change. We’ve met with over 100 customer, stakeholders and industry participants to hear your views on the current connections process. 

This report pulls together all that feedback in to one central place to enable us to progress to Phase 2, which will investigate options.

Download the report

Get in touch 

Stakeholder views form a key part of the Connections Reform project. There are a number of ways to get in contact with us, ask us questions and have your say. 

Events calendar

Visit our calendar to sign up to our 2023 events.

Mailing list

Subscribe to the connections reform mailing list.

Get in touch

Parent and child in winter clothing

Speak to the connections reform team.