#84 Grid News and Views #18 - Part 2

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 This content was recorded on an earlier date. The connections landscape changes rapidly, so please treat any facts, figures, and guidance as a point-in-time view and verify current information before relying on it. Our links: Website: https://roadnighttaylor.co.uk/ Newsletter sign up: https://roadnighttaylor.co.uk/newslet... Follow us on LinkedIn:   / roadnight-taylor-ltd   Find if we fit at [email protected]