Assessing Transmission Access Restrictions and Curtailment Impacts

 

Almost all new connections, whether at distribution or transmission voltages, are experiencing transmission related restrictions. This is well-reported and leading to lengthy energisation dates which are jeopardising development, investment and net zero targets. The industry is turning to restricted access solutions to accelerate energisation ahead of reinforcement. There is well-publicised grid connections reform ongoing which will establish new principles for queue management. In addition to queue management, grid connections energisation dates are increasingly sped-up through restricted access connections. Smarter Grid Solutions (SGS) has been assisting developers in quantifying the impact of restricted access connections through advanced network modelling and study of the evolving transmission system. With the National Energy System Operator (NESO) issuing new tranches of restricted access connection offers to developers in Scotland (Tranche 1) in Q1 2025, with England and Wales to follow, this blog takes a closer look at these restricted access connections, exploring: