Grid connections reform has changed how projects get a place in the queue. Projects that are ready and needed now get a “Gate 2” offer. Many of those offers are arriving this autumn, later than first planned.
The current timetable
NESO’s latest timetable for Gate 2 offers:
| Offers | Transmission and large embedded | Distribution |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | mid-May to mid-September 2026 | early July to mid-November 2026 |
| Phase 2 | early September 2026 to mid-January 2027 | mid-October 2026 to mid-March 2027 |
No date has been set yet for the next application window.
The delays
- In February 2026, NESO told Ofgem it could not keep the connection dates for 210 of 340 “protected” projects (62%).
- Ofgem refused to excuse NESO from those obligations, and said it would look into the causes.
- NESO has to issue revised, more realistic dates to the projects affected.
What to check in your Gate 2 offer
- Connection date and point of connection. Both may differ from what you expected.
- Queue milestones. Miss them and you can lose your place.
- Curtailment or constraints. Any new limits change the numbers.
- Securities. Check they match the liability you are being asked to carry.
- Technical and operational conditions. Read the small print.
- Acceptance deadline. Distribution offers can have a short window to accept, so line up your review before the offer lands.
What we do
We track offers and their milestones for every site, and review new offers against the project’s plan as soon as they arrive.
Sources
- NESO: Connections reform timeline
- Solar Power Portal: Ofgem frustrated with delays to Gate 2 connections
- TNEI: What to look out for in your Gate 2 offer
Correct at the time of writing (1 October 2026). Dates can move, so check NESO’s timeline for the latest.