Distributed Generation

Generating electricity from renewable and energy-efficient sources is a key part of the Government’s strategy to tackle climate change.

The 2009 Renewable Energy Directive sets a target for the UK to achieve 15% of its energy consumption from renewable sources by 2020, implying substantial growth in distributed generation and investment in the network infrastructure.

Many stakeholders have expressed concern that the Government’s targets may not be met because of major difficulties relating to unit pricing, delays in obtaining planning consent and the fact that the current regulatory framework does not incentivise distribution network operators (DNOs) to connect distributed generation.

ENA members believe that the introduction of the correct commercial and regulatory framework is the single most important factor how network operators can support the Government’s target for renewable and energy efficient generation.

Information for generators seeking a connection

Connection Standards/Guidelines

There are three seperate Distributed Generation Connection Guides. The decision tree below guides you to the most relevant Connection Guide for the Distributed Generation you are planning to install.

The Guides below are intended to help you, as an owner or developer of Distributed Generation, to connect your generating plant to one of the UK's electricity distribution networks. A record of all revisions can be found at the rear of each guide. Please note that these are only guides to ER G83/1-1 and ER G59/2, not the documents themselves, which can be purchased from the ENA engineering document catalogue.

Should you wish to provide feedback on any of the above three guides please contact David Spillett, david.spillett@energynetworks.org.

It is possible to connect almost any generation plant to the distribution network. The Data Registration Code of the Distribution Code sets out the obligations on the generator and DNO to exchange data as part of the design process and lists the data items that may need to be exchanged. The purpose of the application form below is to simplify and clarify this data exchange process.

Engineering Recommendation G83/1-1

On 4th August 2008, the Health & Safety Executive issued a Certificate of Exemption that effectively relaxes the timescales for notifying a DNO when comissioning Small Scale Embedded Generation (SSEG). The DNO must still be notified but in the case of SSEG this no longer needs to be before, or at the time of, comissioning. Notification must now be made within 28 days of comissioning. Once connection forms have been completed they should be sent to the DNO in your area, ENA is not able to process these documents. You can find out who your DNO is on our Who is My Network Operator? page.

Engineering Recommendation G59/2-1

The following four appendices from G59/2-1 (2011) - A13.1, A13.2, A13.3 and A13.4 - have been made available in MS Word format and are free to download below. Once connection forms have been completed they should be sent to the DNO in your area, ENA is not able to process these documents. You can find out who your DNO is on our Who is My Network Operator? page.