The UK grid connection queue is the single biggest bottleneck for solar farm and battery storage development. Over 500GW of projects are waiting — more capacity than the entire UK electricity system needs. Here's what's changing in 2026, who benefits from the reforms, and how to position your project for the fastest possible connection.

What Went Wrong With the Grid Connection Queue?

The UK grid connection queue was designed for a world of large, centralised power stations. The explosion of solar, wind, and battery storage projects overwhelmed a system never built to handle thousands of simultaneous applications.

The result:

• 500GW+ in the queue — the UK's peak demand is approximately 60GW, meaning there is over 8x more capacity in the queue than the country actually needs
• Connection dates of 2030-2036 in the most congested areas (South East, East Anglia, South West)
• Zombie projects — speculative applications from developers who applied for grid capacity with no intention or ability to build, blocking viable projects behind them
• Rising costs — reinforcement costs passed to developers (and ultimately landowners via lower lease terms) as DNOs struggle to upgrade infrastructure fast enough

What Is "First Ready, First Connected" and How Does It Work?

The "First Ready, First Connected" reform replaces the old first-come-first-served queue with a system that prioritises projects most likely to actually build. Under the old system, you could hold a queue position indefinitely by simply paying the initial assessment fee. Under the new system, you must demonstrate genuine progress or lose your place.

Gate 2: The Readiness Test

Gate 2 is the critical checkpoint. To pass Gate 2 and secure a firm connection date, a project must demonstrate:

• Land rights: A signed option agreement or lease with the landowner, verified by a Letter of Authority submitted to the DNO
• Planning progress: Evidence that planning permission has been applied for, is in pre-application consultation, or has been granted. Projects with granted planning permission receive priority.

Projects that cannot demonstrate both land rights and planning progress at their Gate 2 assessment are terminated. Their grid capacity is immediately freed and reallocated to the next ready project in the queue.

User Progression Milestones

Even after passing Gate 2, projects must meet strict deadlines called User Progression Milestones. These include:

• Accepting the connection offer within the specified deadline (typically 30-90 days)
• Paying the required deposit on time
• Achieving planning permission by the milestone date
• Commencing construction by the specified date

Missing any milestone results in automatic termination — no appeals, no extensions. This prevents projects from passing Gate 2 and then stalling.

Who Benefits From the Queue Reforms?

Winners under the new system:

• Projects with planning permission: Prioritised at Gate 2. If you've already secured planning, you jump ahead of speculative applications.
• Landowners with signed agreements: Developers need your signed Letter of Authority to pass Gate 2. This strengthens your negotiating position.
• BESS projects: Battery storage can sometimes access capacity faster because they can both import and export, making them useful to grid operators managing congestion.
• Projects near substations: Shorter connection distances mean lower reinforcement costs and faster physical connection once the grid offer is secured.

Losers under the new system:

• Speculative developers: Those who applied for grid capacity without land or planning. Their positions are being terminated.
• Stalled projects: Developers who secured a connection offer years ago but never progressed to construction. Milestone requirements will force them to build or lose position.

Grid Connection Queue by DNO Area: Where Are the Biggest Backlogs?

The queue backlog varies dramatically by Distribution Network Operator (DNO) area. Understanding your local DNO's position is critical for realistic project planning:

Critical insight: These are averages across each DNO area. Within a single DNO region, one substation may have capacity available by 2028 while another 10 miles away may be full until 2035. This is why site-specific grid checking — not regional assumptions — is essential. Use our grid capacity checker to see what's available near your specific location.

How Does the Queue Affect Grid Connection Costs?

Grid connection costs are driven by two factors: the physical infrastructure needed (cables, switchgear, transformers) and the reinforcement required to the existing network. Both are affected by the queue:

As zombie projects are cleared from the queue, some reinforcement costs may decrease because the network was being sized for capacity that will never be built. However, this effect will take time to materialise and varies significantly by DNO area.

What Should Landowners and Developers Do Now?

1. Check your grid capacity first. Use a grid capacity checker to understand what grid infrastructure is near your land. Proximity to a substation with available capacity is the single biggest factor in connection cost and timeline.
2. Progress planning early. Under the new rules, planning permission is the key differentiator. Projects with planning are prioritised at Gate 2. Apply for planning as early as possible — it can take 12-18 months. See our planning permission guide.
3. Secure land agreements. Developers need a signed Letter of Authority to pass Gate 2. If you're a landowner, ensure your option agreement or lease is properly documented. This is now a Gate 2 requirement, not just a formality.
4. Consider flexible connections. Active Network Management (ANM) allows you to connect sooner by agreeing to occasional curtailment during network congestion. The lost generation during curtailment (typically 2-5% of annual output) is often worth it for a connection date years earlier.

   ANM Curtailment: The Financial Trade-Off

   A 10MW solar farm generating 9,500 MWh/year at £60/MWh earns £570,000/year. With ANM curtailment of 3%, annual generation drops to 9,215 MWh — a revenue reduction of £17,100/year. However, if ANM brings your connection date forward by 4 years, you earn £2,280,000 in revenue (4 years × £570,000) that would otherwise be lost to waiting. The cost of curtailment over a 25-year operating period is approximately £427,500 — meaning ANM delivers a net benefit of £1.85 million versus waiting for a firm connection.

5. Consider battery storage. BESS projects often face shorter grid queues because they provide grid-balancing services. If your land has 33kV+ proximity, battery storage may offer both faster connection and higher per-acre income.
6. Get a budget estimate before committing. A feasibility study from the DNO (usually free or minimal cost, 10-20 working days) tells you whether there is available grid capacity before you invest in detailed designs. See our G99 application guide for the full process.

Grid Connection Queue FAQs