Grid & Networks Conference 2026 Programme

Stephen McKellar, Head of Grid & Networks, Scottish Renewables

The Clean Power 2030 Action Plan demands that grid reinforcements are delivered at an unprecedented pace if technology deployment targets are to be met. With the RIIO-T3 price controls now confirmed, networks have a clearer view of what they need to deliver by 2030.

But these ambitious plans are facing serious headwinds – consenting challenges, tight delivery timelines, supply chain constraints, rising costs and public acceptance are all front of mind. There is also the question of affordability for both industry and the public.

In this session, our expert panel will discuss what is needed to build a future-ready energy grid that works for everyone, especially during a time of increased political tension.

You’ll learn:

• What is needed to maintain the pace of grid delivery at a cost the UK can afford
• How regulatory authorities can unlock faster and more effective network investment
• What RIIO-T3 means for long-term planning and how networks are adapting to meet 2030 targets
• What these changes mean for developers looking to connect projects to the grid by 2030

In summer 2026, NESO will submit pathway options for the Strategic Spatial Energy Plan (SSEP) to the Secretary of State for consideration. A single pathway will then be chosen and published for public consultation, reinforcing the UK’s commitment to a spatially planned energy system. But a key question remains: what role should locational network charging play in a centrally planned system?

In this session, our panel of experts will explore how central planning, locational signals, investment and market forces can work together to deliver an efficient system.

You’ll learn:

• How transmission charges are set to evolve under Reformed National Pricing and what this means for investment signals
• Where the locational balance should lie between charging, market signals and planning frameworks
• The implications of charging reform for developers, operators and investors across both new and existing energy assets

After a rocky start, Connections Reform has started to bite. With the first Gate 2 window now closed, industry attention has turned to future opportunities and unlocking constrained capacity.

Previously unanswered questions, such as how the demand queue will be managed and opportunities for flexibility, are now coming to the forefront. With the transitional Regional Energy Strategic Plan (tRESP) published ahead of the ED3 price controls for distribution networks, aligning the reformed process with identified network investment will be essential.

In this session, our panel of experts will take stock of the Connections Reform process and share their insights on the challenges and opportunities ahead.

You’ll learn:

• How industry can best navigate prolonged regulatory uncertainty while maintaining momentum on projects
• What is needed to catalyse the demand that unlocks more renewable generation capacity in Scotland
• How NESO is aligning strategic plans with a reformed connections process

In the new world of strategic energy planning, the way we collaborate on grid delivery must evolve to reflect an increasingly interconnected landscape. While network operators face a mammoth task, developers are also contending with growing risks across every stage of project delivery.

The success of centralised planning depends on rethinking how we deliver infrastructure and identifying where innovative approaches can save both time and money.

In this session, our panel of experts will share their views on how the Centralised Strategic Network Plan (CSNP) can embrace innovation, coordination and policy reform to keep the UK competitive for investment.

You’ll learn:

• How centralised and regional planning models could reshape the delivery of major grid infrastructure
• How innovation and competition can bring about a faster, cheaper build-out of the grid
• How inventive policy solutions can help networks meet timely construction and de-risk the grid for industry