UK: NESO update timeline for Connections Reform offers

Connections reform timeline

On Friday 13 February 2026, the National Energy System Operator (“NESO”) issued a joint statement with transmission owners (“TOs”), distribution network operators (“DNOs”) and connection reform delivery partners providing an update on the delivery timeline for Connections Reform.

Citing ‘technical and engineering matters’ requiring review as the reason for the updated timeline, NESO has confirmed the following timeframes for offers:

• 2026/2027 Protected transmission and large embedded offers: between 13 February 2026 and mid-April 2026
• 2026/2027 Protected distribution offers: between early March 2026 and end May 2026
• Gate 2 Phase 1 transmission and large embedded offers: between mid-May 2026 and mid-September 2026
• Gate 2 Phase 1 distribution offers: between early July 2026 and mid-November 2026
• Gate 2 Phase 2 transmission and large embedded offers: between early September 2026 and mid-January 2027
• Gate 2 Phase 2 distribution offers: between mid-October 2026 and mid-March 2027

The update from NESO also confirms that offers will be issued on a locational sequencing basis, which means offers will be released on an area by area basis as technical work is completed for a particular area.

Customer Support Model introduced

The update also provides NESO and TOs with the opportunity to introduce their centralised customer support model.  A multi-organisational support team will be established to provide support to customers receiving Gate 2 offers.  The new model will provide customers with a single way to raise technical queries, with defined response times for queries to be answered, as well as clearer guidance as to what can and cannot be changed within an offer.