Gate 2 has closed, and the clock is ticking

The NESO Connections Reform Evidence Submission Window (also known as 'the Gate 2 window') formally closed at 11:59 on Tuesday 26 August 2025. Following a flurry of activity across the sector over the past several months to meet the various changing deadlines, the closure of the Gate 2 window has ushered in a period of respite while renewable energy developers eagerly wait to find their position in the reformed queue.

As of 18 September 2025, 89% of customers who submitted their evidence have passed the initial checks, according to the National Energy System Operator (NESO). 80% of applications assessed have not required a resubmission and have progressed to the next stage, according to the same update provided by NESO on its latest customer update (18 September 2025). This still leaves a number of applications that need to be assessed.

Customers who have passed the initial checks will be automatically moved to the next phase with no further action needed.

If a customer has failed the initial checks, then:

• They will have 4 working days from receipt of NESO's notification to resubmit evidence using the NESO Portal. In its update on 18 September 2025, NESO identified that 84% of customers that needed to resubmit their evidence have already done so and approximately 50% of these customers have received correspondence from NESO on their submission. Queries can be raised through the NESO portal, however it does have a character limit and as such questions need to be as specific as possible.
• Following the resubmission, NESO will respond within 4 working days with a final decision.
• If a customer disagrees with the decision, they can take part in the new expedited complaints' process (explained further below).

Expedited complaints' process

Where a customer is unsatisfied with NESO's decision, a customer can raise a formal complaint with NESO within two clear working days from the final decision. NESO's guidelines indicate that no matter what time the email is received, the 'clock' starts at 00:01 the next working day, which means that customers will have two clear working days following the date on which they receive their email to take action.

If a complaint is upheld, the customer's project will re-enter the Gate 2 process. If a complaint is not upheld, customers are entitled to pursue other avenues for redress, such as the Dispute Resolution process outlined in the Connection and Use of System Code (CUSC). It is acknowledged that using such a process is likely to be costly and lengthy, and likely not going to be completed prior to the final queue formation being complete.

What next?

NESO is acutely aware of the knock-on effect that the repeated delays in the closure of the inaugural Gate 2 window have caused and is actively working with the DNOs, other transmission owners, the Government and Ofgem to revise the timeline for the next gated window. We anticipate that further details will be shared with the industry at the next customer webinar, which is to be held on 1 October 2025. We will share any updates as soon as they are received.

In the interim, developers of projects that were not ready to apply for a Gate 2 offer and are currently progressing, can use this period to familiarise themselves with the Gate 2 Criteria Methodology and the remaining methodologies, to ensure that they are well-prepared to make their submission in due course.