Demand Queue Management

 

What is Queue management?

Queue management is the process by which network companies manage projects which have an accepted connection offer and have not yet connected. This enables network companies to;

• Effectively manage contracted projects if they are not progressing against agreed milestones.
• Avoid stalled or slow-moving projects from affecting other projects.
• Utilise flexible resources in connection queues to better utilise the available capacity.

Connection Queue Management is used to provide a consistent basis on which projects are required to reach specified milestones and may also be used to remove a project from a network’s connection queue where the project is delayed compared to its Connection Milestones. Where this occurs and where projects are unable to get back on-track within reasonable timescales, network companies would take steps to terminate the agreement.

 

The main components of Connection Queue Management are:

1.  Connection Milestone(s), which are also referred to as Customer Progression Milestones or simply Milestone(s), form the agreed benchmarks by which DNOs and their Customers can measure and track project progress towards a contracted connection date. Customers will be required to submit to the DNO the required evidence confirming that a Milestone has been met. Following review, the DNO will then confirm to the Customer that the DNO agrees the Milestone has been met. The Milestone will be considered met on the date on which the DNO confirms that the required evidence meets all necessary criteria and standards.

2.  Milestone dates – Milestones include a contracted date based on the Offer Acceptance Date, or the Offered Connection Date, if this is more than 5 years after the Offer Acceptance Date. Each date reflects the latest date by which the Customer must meet the Milestone, but Customers may meet the Milestone before that date.

3.  Milestone Remedy Notice – This is the process by which Customers will be informed of upcoming and/or overdue Milestone dates and the length of time permitted for remedy if a Milestone date is not met. By using Milestones and remedy timescales, delayed projects can be identified and agreements potentially terminated to make connection capacity available for projects that are progressing in line with their Milestones. The application of Connection Queue Management in a clear and consistent way to remove delayed projects from connection queues ensures that network capacity is available for other projects that are ready to progress. These could be projects that are already in the connection queue or new connection applications.

The full Queue Management User Guide can be found here

Milestones

Milestones are the agreed benchmarks by which we will manage your project. We will use milestones to measure and track project progress towards a contracted connection date. Failures to meet milestones may mean that your project is terminated.

How does it affect me?

The process will apply to Distribution Generation projects which meet the following criteria:

• Applications for new or modified connections after 1 July 2021
• Applications for 1MW or above

The process will apply to Demand projects which meet the following criteria

• Applications for new or modified connections after 1^st October 2025
• Applications for 5MW or above

What is the process?

Connection offer issued

Your new or modified offer will be issued with the milestones and tolerances detailed within your connection offer. Your contract will provide the timescales applicable to your project for each milestone and the allowed tolerance.

Acceptance

Following acceptance, you will need to provide us with evidence that you have met each milestone and when it was met. Examples of the evidence for each milestones is included in the Queue Management User Guide which can be found here. 

Your nominated point of contact will be able to help support and guide you through any queries you have with the new process.