Overview
- Ministers propose prioritising a published list of 'strategically important' developments — including AI datacentres, EV charging hubs and electrified industry — to move to the front as capacity is freed or created.
- Ofgem is consulting on tighter conditions to join and stay in the queue, with higher financial commitments and milestone requirements to remove stalled or non‑viable projects.
- The demand queue expanded by about 460% in early 2025, with contracted offers rising from roughly 41GW in November 2024 to 125GW by June 2025, and some projects reportedly facing waits of up to 15 years.
- Housing groups warn that pushing AI infrastructure ahead could delay new homes, citing west London schemes already slowed when local capacity was reached.
- The consultation is open now with responses due by April 15, and proposals also explore allowing developers to build their own high‑voltage connections and substations to speed delivery.