Country evidence

Great Britain

Great Britain has moved aggressively to clear speculative queue backlog and prioritise shovel-ready projects, but transmission build speed is still the practical bottleneck.

Overall score

81 LeadingConclusion-first signal for new project interconnection readiness

Rank

#3Within the current editorial country set

Snapshot date

27 Mar 2026Country page and ranking use the same dated evidence package

Metric evidence

Score breakdown with source traceability

Compare with peer countries

Published Headroom

Queue transparency improved materially

The queue problem is explicit and public, with a delivery pipeline replacing speculative applications.

80 / 100mixed

Why this score

Scored on whether a developer can understand where connection access is constrained and how queue priority is assigned.

NESO implements electricity grid connection reformsNational Energy System Operator
Connections reform content refreshNational Energy System Operator

Connection Process

Connection process has clear reform momentum

Readiness-based filtering is replacing first-come speculative queue occupancy.

88 / 100direct

Why this score

Scored on process clarity, prioritisation logic, and the likelihood that serious projects can progress without indefinite queue stalling.

Next steps in grid connections reformNational Energy System Operator
Ambitious package of connections reform actionsNational Energy System Operator

Reinforcement Momentum

Reinforcement momentum is real but still constrained

Reform is strong, but the score is discounted because delivery still depends on accelerating transmission build.

74 / 100proxy-rich

Why this score

Scored on whether published reform is matched by visible network expansion and system-enabling projects.

NESO implements electricity grid connection reformsNational Energy System Operator
Connections reform content refreshNational Energy System Operator

Interpretation

How to use this country page

Operator-focused reading guidance

Use the overall score to scan, then the metric notes to understand why it lands there.
Confidence flags matter most where direct access-capacity reporting is weak.
Read this as a new-project interconnection brief, not as a full grid resilience judgment.

Enablers

What currently supports faster connection

High-value positives

Major queue reform now prioritises readiness and strategic alignment
NESO publishes a clear reform library for applicants
Large national reinforcement programme tied to clean power targets

Constraints

What still slows new projects

Structural or procedural bottlenecks

Transmission construction and planning consents remain slow
Node-level scarcity still matters despite queue reform