Pete Aston – Specialist Connections Engineer
“An outstanding track record and trusted expertise in navigating grid connections”
Pete is a Chartered Engineer with a wide-ranging consultancy portfolio that includes generation and storage connections, energy project feasibility studies, and grid appraisals for hyperscale demand. Alongside client work, he contributes to the Connections Reform process and is a member of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Energy Studies. He also plays an active role in our Connectology content, as the primary author of our written explainers and a key speaker in our podcasts and webinars.
Track record
Pete joined Roadnight Taylor from Western Power Distribution, where he completed a 20-year career in distribution networks, most recently as Primary System Design Manager. He led the System Planning function across all four of WPD’s licence areas, managing a 60-strong team responsible for all connections to, and reinforcement of, the primary network (33kV to 132kV).
He oversaw an annual capital budget of £30 million and was responsible for around 500 formal connection offers each year (up to 299MW). Pete also led the development of the load-related spend element of WPD’s ED2 business plan, oversaw the rollout of Active Network Management (ANM), and delivered the Accelerated Loss of Mains Change Programme.
Off the clock
Outside work, Pete spends time with his family and serves on the leadership team of his local church. He enjoys pottering in the garden, going for the occasional run, and is working on writing fiction stories
Related team members
The Connectologists® combine over 80 years of deep network experience, specializing in the interplay between technical, regulatory, and commercial complexities that determine connection outcomes. Their expertise supplements existing capabilities, navigating challenges alongside clients’ investment teams. This depth, combined with the emotional intelligence to build productive relationships across all stakeholders, can prove decisive when project viability depends on timely connections at manageable cost and risk.
