New TMO4+ regulations coming into play, January 2025                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

A new regulation, known as TMO4+, is coming into force in 2025 and is aimed at accelerating the UK’s Net Zero transition plans by 10 years.

The regulation, which will be applicable as of January next year, is a significant change to the planning process behind the National Grid, and presents an opportunity to rectify current grid issues and accelerate the connection of renewable projects.

How will TMO4+ change the National Grid?

Traditionally, the National Grid's approach to connecting new projects has been speculative, requiring no proof of land rights or proof of viability. This, as you can imagine, has led to many potential projects that otherwise wouldn’t or won’t be completed or indeed have failed before commencement of the construction phase, taking president over projects that are ready to be connected.

Couple this with a famously inadequate Grid that desperately needs upgrading, and we begin to see the issues that have led to many ‘ready-to-go’ renewable energy projects awaiting Grid connection 15 years in the future.

TMO4+, however, aims to alleviate this by prioritising projects that are ready to build and have acquired the appropriate rights and planning permissions; the features of this regulation expected to include the following:

• Mandatory proof of land rights will be required\

• Proof/demonstration of planning progress will be required

• Regular progress checks to maintain queue position

All in the hopes of prioritising ‘real’ projects over and above those that will only ever exist on paper.

An interesting and certainly positive move for the National Grid that will hopefully relieve the ongoing, widely frustrating gridlock, it’ll be very interesting to see how TMO4+ works in reality, and whether it does make the significant difference so desperately needed to bring connection dates forward and support the UK’s drive to Net Zero by 2030.