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ARTICLE · 27 AUGUST 2026

Ofgem's Demand Connection Queue Reform: What Data Centre Developers Need To Know

Gowling WLG
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Great Britain's electricity demand connection queue has surged from 41 GW to 125 GW in just five months, driven largely by data centre applications accounting for 75 GW. Ofgem and NESO have launched consultations proposing significant reforms including a Data Centre Commitment Fee and new project progression milestones to eliminate speculative projects and ensure viable developments can progress efficiently.

United KingdomEnergy and Natural Resources
Gus Wood
Gus Wood
James Stanier
James Stanier
George Nixon
George Nixon
Katherine Huet
Katherine Huet
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The process of electricity transmission connection reform in Great Britain has been ongoing for some time now. Although demand connections and data centres were caught by the previous reforms – as we explored in Transmission connection reform: impact on data centres – generation connections have felt the greater impact to date.

However, a significant increase in demand connection applications, in excess of forecasts for future demand, has led the energy regulator Ofgem and the National Energy System Operator (NESO) to launch a consultation on proposals for the demand connection queue.

Why is Great Britain's demand connection queue under review?

There has been a rapid and dramatic increase in connection applications for demand projects. Between June 2025 and November 2025, the demand connection queue increased from 41 GW to 125 GW. This is in the context of current peak electricity demand in Great Britain of 45 GW. This increase was driven largely by the rise in data centre

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