Connecting new infrastructure to the grid isn’t always straightforward.
Aurora was set up in 2024 to change that – bringing a faster, more flexible and more transparent approach to sustainable electricity connections across Great Britain.
Backed by I Squared Capital, a specialist infrastructure investment manager with over $40bn of investments, Aurora is building a different kind of Independent Distribution Network Operator (IDNO).
What is an IDNO?
IDNOs are licensed electricity network companies that connect new developments to the grid and then own, operate and maintain those networks for their lifetime.
Introduced by Ofgem to increase competition, attract private investment, and give developers greater choice, IDNOs can deliver new electricity infrastructure more efficiently while meeting the same regulatory and customer service standards as regional Distribution Network Operators (DNOs).
Our role is becoming increasingly important as Great Britain electrifies transport, heavy industry and communities, and we are helping deliver the resilient network infrastructure needed to support the transition to net zero.
Clear contact = complete visibility
Every Aurora client has a single point of contact, and will benefit from regular updates and specialist, in-house expertise across legal, design and delivery.
“Our delivery team manages projects from acceptance through to grid connection, certification and final asset value payment,” says Mark. “But it goes further than that.”
We operate as an extension of our clients’ teams. Dedicated pre-construction managers work alongside legal specialists and business development, with regular one-to-one meetings tailored to each project.
“Clients always know who to speak to,” Mark adds. “They have a direct line into Aurora at every stage.”
Better visibility = smarter decisions
Our integrated systems with automation – including an internal asset management platform and a legal tracker – give Aurora clients real-time visibility of project progress whenever they need it.
That transparency helps teams identify risks early, prioritise action, and keep projects moving.
“The feedback we hear is that this level of insight is rare in our industry,” says Mark. “It allows clients to quickly focus on what matters most internally.”
Faster by design
While industry-standard licence conditions typically allow up to 20 days for network design feedback, Aurora operates on a significantly shorter timescale, working five times faster than industry norms.
Mark said: “This is supported by regular design meetings, project check-ins, and direct access to engineering support.
“Often, a quick conversation is far more effective than days of back-and-forth emails,” he adds.
Simplifying complex connections
Aurora supports clients on even the most challenging projects.
One recent example was when Aurora was appointed as the IDNO for a major UK onshore wind farm. During the Eden Renewables project, we were tasked with connecting the site to the national distribution network through more than 30km of cabling in the Scottish Highlands. It involved complex negotiations with landowners and local authorities.
We secured the land agreements, and it meant the cable could be installed months ahead of schedule.
As part of our service, we handled the negotiations for the client, and secured the access needed. This is usually work developers would have to manage.
Aurora also supports constrained sites by offering alternative equipment options through our G81 delivery process, which defines the technical specifications of equipment you need to use. This gives you more choice, while speeding up delivery and reducing costs.
Real-time control, built-in
Our Network Operations Centre provides real-time visibility of our electricity networks and managed assets – a capability often outsourced in the IDNO sector.
This in-house function supports continuous monitoring and earlier intervention, particularly for critical infrastructure and EV projects such as bus depots or sites on key transport routes.
“We monitor every asset in real time, 24/7, at no additional cost to the client,” says Mark. “By tracking performance and emissions trends, we can identify issues early and act before faults occur.”
The Network Operations Centre also came into play when we worked with charge point operator (CPO) InstaVolt. The firm is accelerating the nationwide roll-out of rapid EV charging stations across retail and hospitality locations, and we were appointed in June 2025 to help overcome any connection challenges.
Our legal agility and technical expertise helped ensure rapid deployment without compromising network resilience, and we cut site delivery timelines in as little as 14 weeks. Where required or deemed as an operational requirement, our Network Operations Centre will connect high-voltage assets to central monitoring.
It allowed early fault detection and proactive intervention, minimising downtime and safeguarding revenue.
A service that adapts to you
Aurora works with Independent Connection Providers, Charge Point Operators, property developers, renewables specialists, data centre operators, local authorities, and others companies looking to connect new infrastructure to the grid. We know each client faces a different challenge and so we tailor our approach.
Dedicated project teams, key contacts, and tailored reporting ensure each client receives relevant information and support.
Mark says: “We tailor reporting depending on the client. That includes tracking performance across the project lifecycle – design quality, communication and documentation – so issues can be identified early.”
A partner that works at your pace
So, what does success look like from a client’s perspective?
“I’d want all of our clients to say Aurora is easy to work with,” Mark says. “That we’re flexible, responsive and willing to go further to get projects connected.”
“Whether it’s finding innovative design solutions, sourcing alternative equipment to reduce supply chain delays, or accelerating complex agreements – we’ll do whatever it takes to keep things moving.”
Aurora – Connecting the last mile to net zero.
Interested in hearing more about our approach to grid connections and network monitoring? Get in touch today to speak to a member of the team:
