CMP341: CUSC Sandbox: enabling derogation from certain obligations to support small-scale trials of innovative propositions
What is being proposed
Enables parties to be derogated from specific CUSC obligations in order to conduct small-scale, time-limited live trials of innovative technologies, connections, products or services
Current status
The Panel met on 27 March 2020 and agreed that it goes to a Workgroup (joint workgroup with the equivalent Grid Code Modification (GC0140) due to the level of crossover between the 2 Modifications). Workgroup meetings have not yet commenced. This was de-prioritised by Panel whilst the Modifications to address Ofgem's Targeted Charging Review decision were being progressed. At June 2020 Panel, Panel determined that the priority of this was Low. At the quarterly prioritisation deep-dive (at Panel on 28 April 2023), no case was presented to change the priority. At the quarterly prioritisation deep-dive atthe July 2023 Panel, no case was presented to change the priority. October 2024 CUSC Panel prioritised as Low, therefore no work will take place on this modification until further notice. The Panel will be reviewing the status of this modification in the January 2025 Panel. Upon receipt of the Authority Open Letter on 31 January: Outlining their approach to prioritisation of electricity transmission network charging modifications, Panel will review the modification status in the February Panel. (18/02/2025) On 14 February 2025 at the Special CUSC Panel the Panel discussed, at length and in detail, the prioritisation of CUSC Modifications. The CUSC Panel agreed there is no change to this priority status.
Details
Timeline
Analysis
CMP341 would create a sandbox for parties to trial innovative technologies by being derogated from specific CUSC obligations on a small-scale, time-limited basis. The proposal has been parked at low priority since 2020 and remains stalled with no active work. The CUSC Panel confirmed in February 2025 it will not prioritise this modification.
Why it matters
This represents regulatory inertia preventing market experimentation — the sandbox concept would allow innovation to bypass rigid incumbency-protecting rules, but the industry has effectively killed it through deprioritisation. The stalling reveals how code governance protects existing arrangements over enabling new entrants.
Key facts
- •Proposed in March 2020, immediately deprioritised
- •Marked as low priority at every quarterly review since 2020
- •Joint workgroup with Grid Code GC0140 never commenced
- •Panel confirmed no priority change in February 2025