Demand Information Request Notice (IRN) | National Energy System Operator
Summary
NESO issues mandatory Information Request Notice to transmission-level demand customers and co-located generation projects to gather detailed project readiness data. The IRN requires complete responses by 13 April 2025, building on last year's voluntary Call for Input which saw 460% queue growth. NESO uses statutory information gathering powers to compile evidence for Ofgem's Demand Connections Reform programme.
Why it matters
This shifts from voluntary to mandatory data collection, forcing speculative projects to declare their true status or face regulatory consequences. NESO moves from relying on developer self-reporting to exercising statutory powers — a recognition that voluntary approaches failed to clean up the demand queue.
Key facts
- •Mandatory responses required by 5pm Monday 13 April 2025
- •Targets transmission-level demand connections and co-located generation agreements
- •Uses NESO's statutory information gathering powers
- •Builds on voluntary CFI that revealed 460% queue growth
Timeline
Areas affected
Related programmes
Memo
What this is about
NESO has issued a mandatory Information Request Notice (IRN) targeting transmission-level demand customers and co-located generation projects to collect detailed project readiness data. This builds on last year's voluntary Call for Input, which revealed a 460% growth in the demand queue but left NESO with incomplete intelligence on project viability. The IRN represents a regulatory escalation — NESO is using statutory information gathering powers to force transparency in a connection queue plagued by speculative applications.
The IRN directly supports Ofgem's Demand Connections Reform programme, specifically the "Curate, Plan and Connect" framework. Where last year's voluntary approach relied on developer goodwill, this mandatory notice compels complete disclosure of delivery risk factors, project timelines, and forward plans. NESO needs this granular data to separate genuine projects from queue-clogging speculation before connections reform implementation.
Key points
Mandatory compliance under statutory powers: Unlike 2024's voluntary Call for Input, this IRN carries legal force. NESO is exercising information gathering powers to compel responses from all relevant customers by 13 April 2025. Non-compliance carries regulatory consequences.
Targeted scope: The IRN applies to customers holding existing transmission-level demand connection agreements and those with directly connected generation agreements incorporating demand technologies. Each project requires a separate response form.
Enhanced data requirements: The IRN seeks "structured and detailed information" beyond the high-level insights gathered voluntarily last year. NESO wants comprehensive project readiness assessments, delivery risk profiles, and forward development plans to create a consistent evidence base across the demand pipeline.
Queue health crisis context: Last year's Call for Input revealed 460% demand queue growth, highlighting the scale of speculative applications clogging the system. The voluntary approach provided "valuable high-level insights" but insufficient granular intelligence for effective pipeline curation.
Confidentiality protections: NESO commits that responses will be treated confidentially, used solely for demand pipeline reform and policy development, and will not disadvantage individual projects. This aims to encourage honest disclosure about project challenges and delays.
Direct customer contact: NESO began contacting relevant customers on 11 March, with completion expected by 13 March. Customers believing they should have received contact but haven't heard by 13 March can email the connections team.
What happens next
Immediate deadline pressure: Customers must submit complete responses by 5pm on 13 April 2025 — a tight four-week window that signals NESO's urgency in gathering this intelligence ahead of connections reform implementation.
Ofgem policy development: The IRN data will feed directly into Ofgem's Demand Connections Reform programme, particularly the Curate, Plan and Connect framework. This evidence base will inform decisions on pipeline management, project prioritisation criteria, and connection queue restructuring.
Pipeline curation mechanisms: Armed with mandatory project readiness data, NESO and Ofgem can develop effective tools to remove speculative applications and prioritise genuinely ready projects. Expect mechanisms similar to those already applied to generation connections, including milestone requirements and financial commitments.
Connection offer process changes: The detailed project information will inform reformed connection processes designed to ensure "projects that are first ready can be first served." This supports NESO's broader connections strategy of matching grid access to actual project delivery capability.
Follow-up regulatory action: Projects failing to respond or providing incomplete information face potential regulatory consequences. This could include connection agreement reviews or exclusion from reformed connection processes. The mandatory nature of the IRN establishes precedent for ongoing pipeline monitoring.
Strategic project acceleration: The IRN specifically mentions supporting "strategic projects" — likely referring to projects critical for net zero delivery or economic growth. Enhanced project intelligence will help identify and fast-track these priority connections.
The IRN marks a decisive shift from voluntary cooperation to regulatory compulsion in demand connection management. NESO's use of statutory powers reflects the severity of queue health problems and the urgency of connections reform. For demand customers, this represents both compliance obligation and opportunity — those providing comprehensive, honest project assessments may benefit from reformed processes designed to reward genuine readiness over speculative queue positions.
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Maybe later [Go to your account](/user/dashboard) # Demand Information Request Notice (IRN) ## Demand Information Request Notice NESO is issuing an Information Request Notice (IRN) to Demand Connections customers to gather additional, high-quality information on project readiness, delivery risk factors, and forward plans that will help NESO and other stakeholders better understand the health of the demand pipeline and develop policies that support a more effective and efficient connection process. The aim of the IRN is to gather richer evidence to support the Curate, Plan and Connect programme detailed in [Ofgem’s Demand Connections Reform Call for input](https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/call-for-input/demand-connections-reform). This evidence will support ongoing policy development to ensure the pipeline is composed of projects that are ready to progress, timely network connections and progress strategic projects. This IRN builds on NESO’s [Demand Queue Call for Input (CFI)](https://www.neso.energy/industry-information/connections/demand-queue-call-input-cfi) issued last year and supports ongoing work to improve demand pipeline health. High level insights into the responses received can be found here: [Demand Call for Input (CFI) High Level Summary](https://www.neso.energy/document/378226/download) [Who Should Respond to the IRN?](#Who-Should-Respond-to-the-IRN) [Is the IRN mandatory?](#Is-the-IRN-mandatory-) [How is this different from last year’s CFI?](#How-is-this-different-from-last-year’s-CFI) Who Should Respond to the IRN? Is the IRN mandatory? How is this different from last year’s CFI? Who Should Respond to the IRN? This IRN targets: * customers with existing transmission-level demand connection agreements; and * those with directly connected generation agreements that include demand technologies. We recognise that participating in IRN processes represents an investment of your time, and we are grateful for your ongoing engagement in the demand connections reform programme. The information you provide will be treated confidentially, used solely to inform demand pipeline reform and related policy development, and will not be used to disadvantage any individual project. Is the IRN mandatory? Yes, this IRN is being issued under NESO’s statutory information gathering powers. A complete and accurate response is required from all relevant demand customers. How is this different from last year’s CFI? The previous CFI was voluntary and provided valuable high-level insights. This formal Information Request seeks more structured and detailed information to provide a comprehensive and consistent evidence base across demand projects. Relevant customers will receive the legal notice, which sets this out in more detail. ## Next Steps Today (11 March), NESO will begin directly contacting customers identified with an existing transmission-level demand connection agreement and or agreements linked to directly connected co-located projects to complete the mandatory IRN. If you have multiple relevant projects, please complete a separate form for each project to ensure each one is accurately represented. If you believe you should have received this communication because you hold an existing connection agreement with NESO linked to a directly connected demand-technology type, but haven’t heard from us by 13 March, please get in touch at [[email protected]](/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#99dbf6e1b7d7dccad6eaedebf8edfcfef0fafdfcf4f8f7fdfaf6f7f7fcfaedf0f6f7ead9f7fceaf6b7fcf7fcebfee0). 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