United Kingdom

Getting Electricity in

United Kingdom

Below is a detailed summary of the procedures, time and cost required for a business to obtain an electricity connection for a newly constructed building in United Kingdom.

This information was collected as part of the Doing Business project, which measures and compares regulations relevant to the life cycle of a small- to medium-sized domestic business in 185 economies. The most recent round of data collection was completed in June 2012.

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  • Standardized Company

  • Name of Utility: UK Power Networks
  • City: London

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No. Procedure Time to Complete Associated Costs
1 Submit an application to UK Power Networks for an electricity connection and await a quotation and connection offer

The application can be submitted online, in person or by mail. One has to attach with the application: completed initial enquiry form if initial enquiry was made, load details and detailed site drawings.

At this stage the applicant can choose either UK Power Networks or a qualified contractor to design a part of the network extension while only UK Power Networks can do the design of certain parts of the network extension and design of upstream reinforcement works. If the design is carried out by a qualified contractor and not by the UK Power Networks there are additional procedures for approval of the designs. Majority of the clients choose the UK Power Networks to complete all parts of the design.

UK Power Networks will do the assessment and design which will result in the budget estimate as well as the Construction and Adoption Agreement which will include the formal offer to connect.

Since September 2008 UK Power Networks has not charged assessment and design charges in advance but they have been included in the final connection payment as an overhead cost. This follows a consultation by the UK energy regulator Ofgem. Ofgem is currently considering new regulation concerning assessment and design charges.
A budget estimate and connection offer is free of charge.

By law all of the quotations should be provided as soon as reasonably practicable with an absolute backstop of 90 days – this is a requirement of Standard License Condition 12 of the Electricity Distribution License.
Agency: UK Power Networks 		31 calendar days no charge
* 2 Await and obtain an external inspection carried out by UK Power Networks

An external inspection is necessary for preparation of the technical study and an estimate. During the inspection the utility ensures that the location is OK for their equipment (service cut-out/substation etc). It is recommended that somebody from the applicant’s party is present during the inspection.

Agency: UK Power Networks 		14 calendar days no charge
3 Await completion of the external connection works carried out by UK Power Networks

Some of the external connection works which are contestable (not all works are contestable) can be performed by an approved contractor or by UK Power Networks. If contestable works are performed by a subcontractor additional procedures associated with inspections and testing of the contractor’s installation by UK Power Networks are required. In the majority of cases customers choose UK Power Networks to carry out all the external connection works.

Given the case assumptions the most common arrangement would be either 1) 200 amp TP & N (three phases and neutral) service off a passing LV main or 2) installation of a substation.
The utility obtains the excavation permit at the local authority or Highways Agency or specific body such as TFL in London.


Agency: UK Power Networks 		74 calendar days GBP 26,540.5
* 4 Await issuance of a supply number by UK Power Networks, pass number on to an electricity supplier and await meter installation

UK Power Networks issues a supply Number (or MPAN’s) after the connection offer has been accepted by the customer. UK Power Networks will issue a supply number (Metering Point Administration Number - MPAN) to the customer before the connection works are completed. The customer will pass the MPAN to its chosen electricity supplier. The supplier must register the MPAN with UK Power Networks.

The supplier will co-ordinate metering, energisation and application of energy rates. The supply contract start date is aligned with connection energized date. The supplier will need to receive an estimate, or could work with the applicant to develop a load profile to be able to provide a supply contract.


Agency: UK Power Networks/Supplier 		30 calendar days no charge
* 5 Receive meter installation and internal wiring inspection by meter operator and electricity starts flowing

The metering industry in the UK is an open competitive market, and the applicant can choose their own Meter Operator or can choose to use the Meter Operator services provided by the supplier. The electricity supplier normally appoints the meter operator. Requirements regarding the conclusion of the meter operation contract vary. The applicant can sign a separate contract with the chosen meter operator or cost can be passed on through the supply contract .
The internal wiring must be completed by the electrician to BS7671 standards. The electrician must carry out a full inspection and testing of the internal wiring and then provide a BS7671 certificate to both the Meter Operator and to the Electricity Distributor before the connection can be energized. The inspection of the internal wiring is done when a meter is installed. Inspection of internal wiring is done through a visual inspection by a meter operator. It is a good practice that somebody is present during the installation of the meter/internal wiring inspection.
In the UK, the DNO only undertakes the work up to the cut-out. All internal works are the responsibility of the customer who must appoint a qualified electrician. All internal works must be carried out to BS 7671 standard and the Meter Operator (who works on behalf of the supplier) will need to see a BS 7671 certificate before the meter will be attached and the connection energized.
There is no specific charge for the meter, but the customer can choose a meter operator and subject to measurement class there will be the annual operations and maintenance charge.

The metering must be installed before a supply of electricity can be provided.

The electricity can start flowing on the same day the external connection works are finished providing the supplier and the metering operator have sufficient notice.

Agency: Meter Operator/Supplier 		20 calendar days no charge
* Takes place simultaneously with another procedure.
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