Electricity Connections. Simplified.
From 1 June 2026, new minimum information requirements will apply to electricity demand connection applications at 5MVA and above across Great Britain.
The changes apply to:
The reforms are part of wider UK Connections Reform led by Ofgem, the ENA, National Energy System Operator (NESO), and network operators in response to growing demand for grid capacity.
For developers and large energy users, the new requirements are designed to improve queue quality, prioritise viable projects, and support a faster, more efficient connections process over time.
In this article, we look at what’s changing, who’s affected, and what projects should be doing now to prepare.
The UK electricity network is seeing significant growth in demand connection applications across sectors including:
At the same time, network operators are managing increasing pressure on existing connection queues.
The reforms aim to address growing backlogs, improve queue management, and ensure projects entering the system are progressing with genuine intent and realistic delivery plans.
The changes form part of the wider “Curate, Connect and Plan” approach to UK Connections Reform, which aims to:
Together, these reforms are intended to support faster, more transparent, and more deliverable electricity connections across the UK.
From 1 June 2026, applicants for demand connections at 5MVA and above will need to provide additional supporting information as part of their application.
The requirements closely mirror the generation queue entry reforms introduced last year for projects above 1MVA.
Applicants must provide a Letter of Authority confirming permission to act on behalf of the customer or landowner.
LoAs can cover multiple sites where the parties remain the same.
Signed Heads of Terms will be required to demonstrate land rights and project progression.
These must be:
This helps demonstrate that projects are progressing beyond early-stage feasibility.
A Single Line Diagram (SLD) will be required where equipment could create voltage or harmonic impacts on the network.
Typically, this should include:
Applicants must also provide an indicative project timeline showing expected delivery milestones and progression.
The main change is that projects will need to be more developed before entering the connections queue.
Applicants will increasingly need to demonstrate:
While this creates more upfront preparation, the long-term aim is a more efficient and streamlined process for projects that are genuinely ready to move forward.
For large demand customers, early planning and engagement will become more important than ever.
At Eclipse Power, our experts support developers, investors, utilities, and large energy users through every stage of the connections process.
We help customers prepare robust, application-ready projects through services including:
Importantly, we also have in-house land rights expertise, helping customers navigate the increasing focus on land agreements as part of the reformed queue entry process.
Whether you’re delivering a data centre, EV charging hub, industrial facility, or large commercial development, early engagement can help reduce delays and improve project readiness.
As the industry moves toward a more evidence-based connections process, having the right technical and regulatory support in place will be key.
If you’d like to discuss how the new demand connection requirements could affect your project, get in touch with our team – we’re here to help!
