When to contact your network operator
There are numerous reasons why network operators may need to be contacted before the installation of a low carbon technology can take place.
These include supply overload, damage to supply equipment, power quality issues or adequacy of earthing. If these issues are identified but not reported prior to installation, consumers can be at risk.
Even when the cut-out rating is known by the installer, the ratings and utilisation of all local distribution network assets require consideration, and cannot be ascertained without contacting the network operator in that area.
When we do not receive notification of low carbon technology installations, we are unable to map the increased network load associated with the rollout of these technologies. This leads to incomplete modelling, which can in turn cause inadvertent stress on assets and ineffective and uneconomic asset replacement programmes – the cost of these programmes is passed onto UK consumers.
Responsibility to keep everyone safe
Everyone involved in the deployment of low carbon technologies has an obligation to ensure they do their utmost to keep our customers safe.
Installers have the responsibility to inform network operators when making modifications to a service under the following:
- Wiring Regulations BS7671 132.16 Additions and alterations
- Distribution Code DPC5.2.1
- IET Electric Vehicle Code of Practice
Note that the requirements under the Wiring Regulations and the Distribution Code are technology/appliance agnostic and apply to supply alterations from the installation of any appliance.
The Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has a responsibility to ensure that Low Carbon Technology installers are informing us of installations made under its subsidies – the Renewable Heat Incentives and the Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme, etc.
Process for heat pump and EV charging infrastructure installations
Electric vehicle and heat pump connection forms and processes share the same documentation.
We have created a Combined Installation Process flowchart illustrating the connection process which must be followed when installing an electric vehicle or heat pump.
- Electricity network operators will never refuse a connection but work may be required to ensure the connection is fit for purpose
- For residential properties with new Maximum Demand (MD) between 60A and 100A inclusive – the installer must apply for a connection prior to installation by filling in the form mentioned below and the network operator will confirm whether the new equipment can be connected within 10 working days
- For commercial properties, you should follow the Combined Installation Process Flow Chart
Installations in excess of 20MW
For installations in excess of 20MW, you may also want to consider a connection to the Transmission System. In this case please contact National Grid Transmission Owner in England & Wales, SSEN Transmission in the north of Scotland and SPEN Transmission in the south of Scotland.
Electric vehicle charging point database
Completing an application form
An associated application form for heat pumps and electric vehicle charge points, which must be completed and sent to the network operator, has been created. This should allow consistency of application to network operators across Low Carbon Technologies. The form is the same whether the installation is a ‘Connect & Notify’ or an ‘Apply to Connect’.
For applications that consist of multiple installations, whether at the same premises or multiple premises, a relevant multi-installation spreadsheet has been created. This form was updated in July 2021 and the previous version is no longer valid.
The process is maintained and governed by our Low Carbon Technologies Working Group. This group contains representatives of all UK transmission and distribution electricity networks, and meets regularly with industry, BEIS, the Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) and Ofgem (the UK energy regulator) to discuss issues and agree strategies and processes for Low Carbon Technologies that connect to the electricity networks.
Submitting your application
You should submit your completed connections form to your local network operator by email. Find their email address by expanding the 'where to submit your application form' box below.
If remedial work is required by the network operator, the time taken to carry out this work will vary depending on the nature of the intervention required to deliver an adequate supply to the premises being assessed. Each connection is different, so the premises and network must be assessed before providing an estimated time of delivery.
Under all circumstances there is a requirement to inform the network operator of the installation. For help identifying the correct electricity network operator for your premises use our Who's my network operator? tool. You can also find your network operator using the Meter Point Administration Number (MPAN). Digits 9 and 10 of the 21-digit Meter Point Administration Number (MPAN) are the Distributor ID. Find which network operator corresponds to which ID by expanding the 'where to submit your application form' box below.
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Where to submit your application form
ID
Licence area
Network operator
Email address for EV notifications
Phone number for supply assessment
Phone number for safety concerns
10 Eastern England UK Power Networks Email 020 3324 1460 0800 316 3105 11 East Midlands National Grid Electricity Distribution Email 0800 096 3080 0800 678 3105 12 London UK Power Networks Email 020 3324 1460 0800 316 3105 13 Merseyside and Northern Wales SP Energy Networks Email 0845 270 0783 0800 001 5400 14 West Midlands National Grid Electricity Distribution Email 0800 096 3080 0800 678 3105 15 North Eastern England Northern Powergrid Email 0845 070 7172 0800 66 88 77 16 North Western England Electricity North West Email 0800 048 1820 0800 195 4141 17 Northern Scotland Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks Email 0800 048 3516 0800 300 999 18 Southern Scotland SP Energy Networks Email 0845 270 0785 0800 092 9290 19 South Eastern England UK Power Networks Email 020 3324 1460 0800 316 3105 20 Southern England Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks Email 0800 048 3516 0800 072 7282 21 Southern Wales National Grid Electricity Distribution Email 0800 096 3080 0800 678 3105 22 South Western England National Grid Electricity Distribution Email 0800 096 3080 0800 678 3105 23 Yorkshire Northern Powergrid Email 0845 070 7172 0800 375 675 24 N/A GTC Email 01359 302518 01359 302518 25 N/A ESP Electricity Email and Alternative email 01372 227 560 0800 731 6945 26 N/A Last Mile Asset Management Email 01698 404 645 0800 804 8688 27 N/A GTC Email 01359 245418 01359 245418 28 N/A N/A 29 N/A Harlaxton Email 0844 800 1813 0844 800 1813 30 N/A Peel Electricity Email 0161 247 7177 0161 247 7177 31 N/A UK Power Distribution Limited Email 32 N/A Energy Assets Networks Email 33 N/A G2 Energy IDNO Limited Email 34 N/A Murphy Power Distribution Limited Email Northern Ireland Northern Ireland Electricity Email 03457 643 643 03457 643 643
Electric vehicle and heat pump databases: information for installers and manufacturers
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Electric vehicle charging point spreadsheet
A spreadsheet of electric vehicle charging points (EVCPs) has been created to support the application process. Electricity networks requires access to technical information, capacity, and power quality data, in order to assess individual applications for suitability to connect to the network.
In addition to the other requirements detailed in the flowchart, an installer should use the EVCP database to cross-reference their equipment to assist in determining whether they can ‘Connect & Notify’ to the network operator or ‘Apply to Connect’.
The corresponding columns relate to Power Quality (PQ) aspects only. It is necessary to refer to the flowchart and form for the full process.
The only EVCP information that will be made publicly available is on the first tab of the spreadsheet ‘A1_Summary’. We welcome installers and manufacturers who have devices that are not in the database to populate the information in the other (template) tabs, which will not be made publicly available, and send it to us for verification.
One EVCP model should be submitted per spreadsheet.
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Heat pump spreadsheet
A spreadsheet of heat pumps has been created to support the application process.
Please note that air-conditioning units are considered a form of heat pump, and hence the same process applies.
In addition to the other requirements detailed in the flowchart, an installer should use the heat pump database to cross-reference their equipment to assist in determining whether they can ‘Connect & Notify’ to the network operator or ‘Apply to Connect’.
The corresponding columns relate to Power Quality (PQ) aspects only. It is necessary to refer to the flowchart and form for the full process.
The only heat pump information that will be made publicly available is on the first tab of the spreadsheet ‘A1_Summary’. We welcome installers and manufacturers who have devices that are not in the database to populate the information in the other (template) tabs, which will not be made publicly available, and send it to us for verification.
One Heat Pump model shall be submitted per spreadsheet. Data shall be submitted electronically by email using a copy of one of two template spreadsheets:
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