About the Author: Zoe Hancox
Podcast: Catherine Cleary returns to the Modo Energy podcast
Great Britain's grid connection queue doesn't run on a first come, first served basis. Connectologist® Catherine Cleary joins Ed Porter on the Modo Energy podcast to explain what really shapes who connects, and when.
Podcast: Grid future-proofing: has standardisation gone too far?
The Connectologists® weigh the true cost of oversized substations, and ask if future-proofing the grid has gone too far.
Podcast: Reform Update, Part 2: Demand Reform and Code Mods
Ofgem's Demand Reform work keeps moving — Pete Aston, Nikki Pillinger and Alex Ikonic take stock of where things stand on HV asset ownership, CMP417, CMP470 and the still-undecided question of how Super Grid Transformer costs get charged
Podcast: Reform Update, Part 1: Gate 2 Offers
Unexpected clauses, rising costs and a tight Mod App deadline — the Connectologists® unpack what's really happening with Gate 2 offers.
Case: Introduction: Five hidden connection risks for data centres
Grid connections are catching data centre developers off guard. Demand is strong, investment is there - but the grid complexity that can derail a project often isn't visible until it's too late. Connectologist® Pete Aston explores five themes every developer should understand early in the process.
Case: Connection offer to connection agreement
A developer's draft connection agreement contained more issues than expected. The Connectologists® helped them understand what was at stake before it was too late.
Case: Theme 1: The early power gap
Securing a transmission connection for a large data centre is only part of the challenge. The temporary DNO supply needed to power construction and commissioning is often treated as an afterthought - but it can take years to deliver and derail even the best-planned projects. Connectologist® Pete Aston explains what developers need to consider, and why early action matters.
Case: Theme 2: Non-firm realities
For transmission-scale data centre developers, waiting years for reinforcement works to complete is not always an option. Non-firm connections can offer a route to earlier power - but understanding the risks is critical. Connectologist® Pete Aston explores the different arrangements available and what each one means in practice.
Case: Theme 3: When offers change
For transmission-scale data centre developers, waiting years for reinforcement works to complete is not always an option. Non-firm connections can offer a route to earlier power - but understanding the risks is critical. Connectologist® Pete Aston explores the different arrangements available and what each one means in practice.
Case: Theme 4: IDNO or private network?
The choice between an IDNO and a private network is one of the less visible decisions in a data centre connection project - but it has long-term implications for control, cost, and complexity. Connectologist® Pete Aston sets out the trade-offs and why having these conversations early matters.
Case: Theme 5: Leaving novations too late
Switching from a private network to an IDNO connection takes longer than most developers expect - and leaving it too late carries both timeline and financial consequences. Connectologist® Pete Aston explains what the process involves and why starting early matters.
Podcast: Grid News and Views #19
Gate 2 offers, battery storage Mods, demand reform, and ANM risks - a lot is moving in the grid connections world right now.
Podcast: Guest Series with Adam Sroka, CEO, Hypercube
Hypercube's CEO Adam Sroka shares his perspective on AI adoption in the energy sector - practical first steps, data governance, and AI's potential role in Connections Reform.
Podcast: Grid News and Views #18 – Part 2
In Grid News and Views 18 Part 2, the Connectologists® discuss Ofgem's end-to-end review, guaranteed connection dates, and a 125GW demand queue.
Podcast: Grid News and Views #18 – Part 1
In Grid News and Views 18 Part 1, the Connectologists® discuss Gate 2 offer progress, methodology consultation deadlines, and emerging repowering challenges.
Podcast: Connections Reform from a NGET perspective with John Twomey, NGET
Pete Aston is joined by John Twomey, Director of Customer and Network Development at NGET, to explore the latest on Connection Reform.
Case: Turning ANM assumptions into clear decisions
A battery storage developer believed their active network management project was low risk. Connectologist® Philip Bale's curtailment analysis told a very different story.
Podcast: Grid News and Views #14
Kyle, Catherine, and Philip are joined by Alex in her first Grid News & Views as a Connectologist®, covering Connections Reform developments, code modifications, and emerging challenges as Gate 2 offers approach.
Podcast: Grid News and Views #13
Pete Aston and Kyle Murchie return with insights on Britain’s evolving grid connections, from NESO’s new Gate 2 process to major charging reforms. They discuss what it means for developers amid soaring data centre demand and shifting energy policy.
Case: Saving money and time with the correct Connection Applications
Pete Aston details how a client planning to connect a 20MW solar farm to their existing facility overcame a devastating connection offer: wait until 2029 for transmission reinforcement works through a a counterintuitive application strategy
Podcast: Guest Series with Alan Pritchard, FarrPoint
Pete Aston sits down with Alan Pritchard from FarrPoint to explore the booming world of data centres. Alan explains why they've become critical national infrastructure and shares insights into the scale and cost of these projects - and why the UK's total capacity is still just 1.5GW.
Podcast: Guest Series with Mikey Clarke, Relode
We sit down with Mikey Clarke, CEO of Relode Energy, to explore how the UK’s energy infrastructure must evolve to meet rising demand. We unpack the idea of power parks and the practical steps needed to electrify hard-to-reach sectors.
Podcast: Guest Series with Ed Birkett, Low Carbon
Ed Birkett, New Projects Director at Low Carbon joins our podcast to explain what’s going wrong with grid connection process and what needs to change. Ed also sounds the alarm on why transparency is essential as we move toward the Strategic Spatial Energy Plan.
Podcast: Super Grid Transformer Charging – the full version
This extended podcast from Roadnight Taylor presents in-depth conversations with energy and development leaders on the challenges of Super Grid Transformer (SGT) charging and potential pathways for reform.
Podcast: Super Grid Transformer Charging – highlights
A highlights podcast exploring the pressing issue of Super Grid Transformer (SGT) charging, bringing together experts from across the energy and development sectors to share experiences, challenges, and ideas for reform.
Podcast: Grid News and Views #12
In this Grid News and Views episode Pete Aston, Catherine Cleary, and Nikki Pillinger unpack key updates on grid connections, Gate 2 timelines, and industry reforms.
Podcast: NESO’s essentials for Gate 2 evidence success, with Matt Vickers Director of Connections Reform
Matt Vickers, NESO, shares what it’s like leading one of the biggest overhauls in the UK energy sector—fixing the grid connections system and tackling a huge project queue.
Podcast: Grid News and Views #11
In this Grid News and Views episode Pete Aston, Philip Bale, and Kyle Murchie break down the latest on Connections Reform—especially what it means for developers navigating Gate 2 applications.
Podcast: Guest Series with Alex Ikonic, Orsted
This podcast discussed the evolving Project Commitment Fee (PCF) with special guest Alex Ikonic, Grid Engineer at Ørsted, who brings insights from the CMP448 CUSC work group.
Podcast: Distribution milestone intolerance and a green light for smaller projects
A podcast on how not meeting new queue milestones—like the 2-month planning deadline—could get your project dropped. Plus projects under 5MW in England & Wales may now skip TIAs under CMP446
