Information for Customers

You have a choice.

You have a choice on who delivers your new or modified connection scheme and who owns the constructed network. We can provide you with a complete connection service but you may also ask an Independent Connection Provider (ICP) or undertake some of the works and/or an Independent Network Operator (IDNO) to own the new network. More information on the role of ICPs and IDNOs is provided below.

Ready to apply? Click here.

What is an Independent Connection Provider (ICP)?
An ICP is a company that can build electricity networks to agreed standards and quality for adoption by WPD or an IDNO. The ICP must be registered with Lloyds Register EMEA under the National Electricity Registration Scheme (NERS) and hold the relevant scopes for the works to be undertaken.
Where can I find an ICP?
Click here for access to the Lloyds Register website for further details of the NERS scheme and a list of registered ICP’s.
What work can be done by an ICP?
Connections works are split into contestable and non-contestable works. Contestable works can be carried out by NGED, an ICP or an IDNO. An ICP can undertake contestable works activities but cannot undertake the non-contestable works. A table of contestable and non-contestable activities can be found at the bottom of this page.
Click here for details of the operational activities that an ICP is permitted to undertake on the NGED network.
What is an Independent Network Operator (IDNO)?
An IDNO is a company licensed by Ofgem to own and operate electricity networks. They will be responsible for all future operation, maintenance and fault repairs on the network that they own. In some instances IDNOs may choose to construct their own networks.
Where a new connection and new network is built by an ICP it may be adopted by an IDNO. In this case, the end customers connected to this new network will be customers of the IDNO rather than NGED.
Where can I find an IDNO?
A list of IDNO's can be found here.

What are Contestable and Non-Contestable Works?

Contestable works are the elements of the connections work which can be undertaken by an ICP or IDNO rather than NGED. Non-contestable works are the elements of the connections work which must be completed by NGED or our appointed agents.

A list of activities can be found in our connection charging methodologies. Click here to view the methodology documents for each region.

The following table summarises elements of the work that are either Non-Contestable (can only be undertaken by NGED) or Contestable (may be undertaken by NGED, an ICP or an IDNO):

	ICP	NGED	Trial
Determine point of connection to distribution system	No	Yes	Yes
Design of extension assets;	Yes	Yes	Yes
Design upstream reinforcement works associated with new connections	No	Yes
Design diversionary works associated with new connections	Yes	Yes
Design approval	No	No	Yes*
Plant and materials specifications	No	Yes
Procure materials for own works	Yes	Yes	Yes
Land rights negotiations with third party landowners	Yes	Yes	Yes
Produce wayleave/easement documentation and enter into agreements with third party landowners	No	Yes
Trench excavation and duct installation - on site	Yes	Yes	Yes
Trench excavation and duct installation - on public highway	Yes	Yes	Yes
Construction of substation buildings and other civil works - on site	Yes	Yes	Yes
Cable laying for own works	Yes	Yes	Yes
Substation plant installation for own works	Yes	Yes	Yes
Excavation for jointing bay - on site	Yes	Yes	Yes
Excavation for own works jointing bay - public highway	Yes	Yes	Yes
Jointing (dead) of cables within extension assets	Yes	Yes	Yes
Connection of Contestable works (live) to the distribution system. For the avoidance of doubt this applies to LV works only	Yes	Yes	Yes
Connection of Contestable works to the distribution system at HV	No	Yes	Yes
Connection of Contestable works to the distribution system at EHV	No	Yes	No
Excavation for joints to connect Contestable works to distribution system (closing joints)	Yes	Yes	Yes
Live LV jointing on newly adopted new extension assets¹	Yes	Yes	Yes
Reinforcement/diversionary work on the existing distribution system	No²	Yes
Quality assurance inspections	No	Yes	Yes**
Testing of extension assets installed by ICP	Yes	Yes	Yes
Commissioning and connection of extension assets to the distribution system	No	Yes	Yes
Recording of installed assets	Yes³	Yes	Yes
Operations, repairs and maintenance	No	Yes	No
HV Operations	No	Yes	Yes***
Removing disconnected LV mains, HV and EHV Overhead conductors and poles	No	Yes	No
Removing disconnected Pole and Ground type substations	No	Yes	No

¹Live LV jointing may be carried out by a suitable accredited ICP subject to our prior agreement.
²Sole funded reinforcement and diversionary works associated with the new connection carried out independently of the existing distribution system will be treated as Contestable work.
³Only for Contestable works installed by the ICP.
*For LV and HV demand.
**Subject to specific criteria being met.
***Subject to the provision and acceptance of the ICP's Safety Management System.