Coming up
- RIIO-ED3 due to start
The next price control for the distribution networks, following RIIO-ED2. Ofgem is developing the framework.
- Clean Power 2030 target year
The government's aim for clean sources to supply almost all of Great Britain's electricity, which drives the current wave of network build and connections reform.
- RIIO-T3 ends
The end of the current transmission price control period.
2026
- RIIO-T3 begins
The five-year price control for the electricity transmission owners starts, with large allowances for new lines and substations.
2025
- RIIO-T3 final determinations
Ofgem sets the transmission owners' allowed spending and outputs for 2026 to 2031.
- Zonal pricing ruled out
The government's Review of Electricity Market Arrangements (REMA) keeps a single national wholesale price and opts to reform it instead.
- Great British Energy Act
The Act establishing the publicly owned Great British Energy receives Royal Assent.
- Connections reform approved
Ofgem approves the code changes behind NESO's reformed, gated connections process, replacing first come, first served with readiness and strategic alignment tests at Gate 2.
- First cap and floor window for long-duration storage
Ofgem opens applications for its cap and floor scheme for long-duration electricity storage.
2023–2024
- Clean Power 2030 Action Plan
The government sets out how it plans to reach clean power by 2030, including connections reform and faster network build.
- NESO launches
The National Energy System Operator takes over from National Grid ESO as a publicly owned body, with new strategic planning roles.
- Transmission Acceleration Action Plan
The government's response to the Electricity Networks Commissioner's report on speeding up transmission build.
- Energy Act 2023
Provides the legal basis for the independent system operator that became NESO.
- Electricity Networks Commissioner's report
Nick Winser's review recommends halving the time it takes to build new transmission.
- RIIO-ED2 begins
The distribution price control runs to March 2028, with the DNOs measured on their DSO role for the first time. The Access and Forward-looking Charges changes also take effect, reducing what customers pay towards reinforcement when they connect.
Earlier
- RIIO-ED2 final determinations
Ofgem sets the DNOs' allowances for 2023 to 2028.
- Pathway to 2030
The system operator's Holistic Network Design sets out the offshore and onshore transmission needed to connect 2030 offshore wind targets.
- RIIO-T2 begins
The transmission price control that ran to March 2026.
- RIIO-ED1 begins
The first RIIO price control for distribution, which ran for eight years to March 2023.
- RIIO-T1 begins
The first RIIO price control for transmission.
Notes
Dates are for Great Britain unless stated. Northern Ireland has its own regulator and price controls. Decisions change, so check Ofgem and NESO for the current position. For the latest news, follow price controls and connections reform, and see the glossary for terms.