NESOOFGEMDESNZ
Security and Quality of Supply Standard
GSR030Workgroup

GSR030: Offshore DC Connections

NESO (SQSS)·regulation·medium·25 Oct 2022·source document

What is being proposed

This modification aims to review the restrictions on the loss of power infeed risk allowed for outages of offshore DC converters

Current status

This Proposal was raised on 25 October 2022 and was presented to the Panel on 9 November 2022. The Panel agreed for the modification to proceed to a Workgroup. [08/01/2024] - Next Workgroup meeting to be held 16/01/2024 [07/02/2024] - workgroup cancelled, awaiting sensitity analysis. Next workgroup to be confirmed. [07/10/2024 - workgroup took place on 6 September, the Workgroup agreed to include 2 more workgroups, one for end October and the other for November and currently in the process of timelining this. Following the workgroups the aim is to go out to workgroup consultation]. 07/08/2025 - Timeline to be presented to the next SQSS Panel. 03/09/2025 - Consideration of splitting modification at the next SQSS Panel 02/10/2025 - Consideration of splitting modification at the next SQSS Panel 04/11/2025 - Modification defect was approved at October Special SQSS Panel to be split and GSR034 containing defect 1 went straight to CAC. 08/12/2025 - Revised timeline and Terms of Reference approved at November SQSS Panel 03/03/2026 - Next Workgroup 10/03/2026

Details

Proposed byNESO
Decision byOfgem
GovernanceStandard Governance (Workgroup)
Impact onHigh impact Generators, Transmission System Operators, Transmission System Owners
Also affectsPotential changes required to Grid Code, CUSC and STC.

Timeline

Proposal raised25 Oct 2022

Analysis

NESO proposes reviewing restrictions on loss of power infeed risk for offshore DC converter outages under SQSS modification GSR030. The modification has been in workgroup since October 2022, with the latest workgroup scheduled for March 2026. The proposal was split in November 2025, with defect 1 becoming separate modification GSR034.

Why it matters

This addresses a technical constraint that affects how much offshore wind can connect without triggering expensive grid reinforcement. As such, relaxing these restrictions would reduce connection costs for offshore developers but potentially increase system operation costs during outages.

Key facts

  • Modification raised 25 October 2022
  • Split into separate modifications November 2025
  • GSR034 approved and moved to Code Administrator Consultation
  • Next workgroup scheduled 10 March 2026

Areas affected

grid connectionstransmissionrenewablesgenerators

Related programmes

Connections ReformRIIO-ET3