The platform will support the development of detailed network models that provide quick insight into opportunities and constraints for potential connection points.
March 17, 2026
National Grid Electricity Distribution (NGED) and grid intelligence startup Yottar have partnered to develop a digital platform designed to change how grid capacity is assessed and help accelerate connections.
The collaboration between the two companies aims to combine the distribution network operator’s engineering knowledge and operational understanding of the distribution network with Yottar’s data modelling capabilities and software development to create a digital platform for automated grid capacity assessment.
Projects seeking to connect to the grid are accelerating rapidly as electrification grows, with more and more data centres, electric vehicle infrastructure, and renewable energy generation seeking grid access and, more importantly, faster, more transparent ways to understand where capacity exists on the grid and when it can be accessed.
“As the pace of electrification increases, working with innovative technology companies like Yottar will play an important role in developing the digital capabilities that help developers understand network capacity and move through the connections process more efficiently,” said Oliver Spink, head of system planning at National Grid DSO.
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The platform will support the development of detailed network models that provide quick insight into opportunities and constraints for potential connection points. This would help both asset developers and network connection engineers better assess decisions in the early stages of the development process.
NGED added that the platform has the potential to streamline its connection to the engineer workflows and help developers identify viable projects much sooner in the site selection and development process. This would be achieved through automating key elements, such as capacity assessment, and improving the accessibility of network planning information.
Pete Clutton-Brock, founder and CEO at Yottar, said: “By combining NGED’s engineering expertise with Yottar’s digital grid modelling platform, we have the opportunity to support connection engineers with faster and more consistent assessments while giving developers earlier visibility of viable connection opportunities.”
Beyond these improvements, the partnership also aims to look into how digital platforms can support the evolution of the connection process. NGED added that a better visibility of the network’s capability can enable faster project development, a better use of the existing infrastructure and a wider range of innovative approaches to connecting new demand and generation.
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