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NESO has issued connection offers to 713 projects, covering 58% of the Britain’s pre-2030 energy pipeline
The approved projects represent 37 GW of new renewable generation and energy storage capacity
These offers have been awarded as part of the country’s ongoing grid connection reforms by prioritizing projects that are ready to be built
The National Energy System Operator (NESO) has awarded grid connection offers covering 37 GW of new renewable energy generation and battery energy storage system (BESS) capacity in Britain. These projects are expected to come online before 2030.
The offers, made in coordination with network operators and the Energy Networks Association, have been issued to 713 projects as of June 10, 2026, representing 58% of the pre-2030 pipeline (1,233 projects). The projects include offshore wind, onshore wind, solar, battery energy storage and hydropower developments.
According to NESO, the connection offers specify when and where projects can connect to the electricity network and identify any transmission or distribution upgrades required to facilitate those connections.
The milestone forms part of ongoing reforms to Britain's grid connection process. The new framework, shares NESO, replaces the previous "first come, first served" approach. This resulted in long connection queues and delays as projects at different stages of development competed for access to the network.
“These offers give developers the certainty they need to invest, supporting economic growth. They also help deliver the reliable, clean and affordable energy system Britain needs. With over half of offers made, we are focused on the next phase of delivery,” said NESO’s Chief Operating Officer (COO) Kayte O’Neill.
The reforms were introduced after Britain's grid connection queue expanded to more than twice the capacity required to meet the country's 2050 net-zero target. NESO adds, “Over five years, the connections queue grew significantly to over twice the capacity Britain needs to achieve net zero by 2050.”
Under the revised process, projects must meet stricter eligibility requirements, including progress on planning approvals, land rights and alignment with government clean energy objectives.
NESO expects the projects supported through the updated process to help unlock up to £40 billion of annual clean energy investment.
Lawrence Slade, Chief Executive of ENA, said network operators worked with NESO, customers and industry stakeholders to implement the new system, which prioritizes projects that are ready to connect and considered strategically important.
By 2030, the UK targets to achieve 47 GW solar PV capacity. It can exceed 50 GW and further expand to around 85 GW by 2035 if barriers to rooftop solar are removed, as per government’s own estimates (see UK Unveils Solar Roadmap to Hit 47 GW Solar by 2030).
