Description

In this episode, Part 1 of The Demand Connection Conundrum series, Connectologist® Pete Aston synthesizes what's to come in Parts 2, 3, and 4—conversations with Ryan Adams (Innova), Spencer Thompson (Eclipse), and David Wildash (Apatura)—exploring critical barriers facing hyperscale demand projects, particularly data centres, attempting to connect to the transmission network.

The core challenge: Demand projects cannot own transmission assets, creating fundamental obstacles as GB competes globally for investment in data centres and other large-scale infrastructure.

Key Issues Identified

• Regulatory ambiguity around the Electricity Act's definition of transmission networks ("wholly or mainly of high voltage assets")
• Geographic inconsistency: Scottish transmission owners build networks out to customer sites; NGET in England and Wales historically hasn't
• Hybrid project uncertainty: unclear whether large demand sites can share connection points with generation technologies
• Network security questions: SQSS requirements for 500MW+ demand sites need clarification
• Leadership vacuum: risk this critical issue falls between DESNZ, Ofgem, and NESO
• Competitive urgency: policy delays threaten GB's ability to attract hyperscale investment globally

Potential Solutions

• Near-term (early 2025): Ofgem could issue interpretive guidance on transmission network definitions
• Operational: NGET could adopt the Scottish model of building networks out to customer sites
• Legislative (longer timeframe): Create a demand license analogous to generation licenses

Make sure to tune in to the three episodes to explore these issues and solutions in more detail, and to hear the different perspectives on these challenges.

Listen to the full series:

📌 Part 2 - Ryan Adams (Innova): https://youtu.be/bT-FbWY5FpA?si=Rn-ZWNMokyF13eHQ

📌 Part 3 - Spencer Thompson (Eclipse): https://youtu.be/-tMo5Z99jqs?si=yj9fYFg5tTJAWIuz

📌 Part 4 - David Wildash (Apatura): https://youtu.be/GYIA569aZ7A?si=RAuvp7O5h7h77iDi

Recorded 13th November 2025

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