Policy Brief: From Connection Queues to Strategic Hosting Capacity

Connection delays and regional congestion pose risks to Net Zero delivery, economic growth and energy security. Ofgem’s ED3 guidance now explicitly includes hosting capacity within DSO network visibility, forecasting and data-sharing expectations, alongside NESO’s wider planning reforms.</p><p dir="ltr">Key Findings: Advanced Hosting Capacity methodologies, which assess how much additional generation or demand a network can accommodate within operational limits, are a good way to support more intelligent, flexible and operationally informed electricity infrastructure planning, while improving renewable integration and use of existing network assets.</p><p dir="ltr">Policy Advice: Integrate advanced Hosting Capacity methodologies within electricity infrastructure planning, grid connection reform, and regional energy planning frameworks.

This is likely to improve renewable integration, operational resilience, infrastructure coordination, and strategic investment decisions.</p>