Legal Services Framework

Descriptions

The National Energy System Operator, NESO, is an independent, public corporation at the centre of the energy system taking a whole system view to create a world where everyone has access to reliable, clean and affordable energy.

Established in 2024 on the transfer of National Grid ESO into public ownership, NESO is now looking to set up its own legal panel to support it in fulfilling its public role as the independent system operator and planner and meeting its statutory objectives to promote net zero, security of supply and economy and efficiency across the energy system.

In the six months since its establishment, NESO has provided advice to government on how to meet its vision for a clean power system by 2030, played a central role in the design of reform to the framework for electricity connections (TMO4+) and investigated the incident in March 2025 which led to the temporary closure of Heathrow Airport.

NESO will continue to need external legal support across a range of similar projects, many being first of a kind, including where NESO is taking on new roles in the whole energy system. NESO will be looking for thought leaders in legal services to partner with the NESO Legal team in providing first class, pragmatic legal advice, supporting but also enabling NESO to meet its objectives.