National Grid
Energy and Climate Change

Dan Rogerson (North Cornwall, Liberal Democrat)

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what consideration he has given to making improvements to the grid connection process managed by distribution network operators.

Charles Hendry (Minister of State (Renewable Energy), Energy and Climate Change; Wealden, Conservative)

The independent energy regulator, Ofgem, has responsibility for overseeing the grid connection process of distribution network operators (DNOs). In 2010, it introduced guaranteed standards of performance for connections, which establishes minimum connection timescales for DNOs to meet. In the first year of operation all standards have been met on more than 90% of occasions. Last month, it introduced requirements for DNOs to measure customer satisfaction. Ofgem has also introduced competition to the connection process to drive up connection performance.

Ofgem's price control review for electricity distribution companies, which was launched earlier this year, will consider additional measures to improve connections to the network in line with DECC's broader energy and low-carbon policies. DECC's response to this consultation emphasised the importance of continuing to improve the connection service network companies provide.