Post-Acceptance Guidance

• Letter of Acceptance

  The letter of acceptance should be signed and returned to NGED within the validity period. Once counter-signed by NGED, a binding contract is formed between NGED and the party named as the ‘Customer’ within the specific conditions for connection within the Connection Offer. The signatory should therefore be an authorised person for the Customer.

• Payment Terms

  For larger connections and development sites, the Connection Charge may be payable in stages. An initial stage payment will be required at the time you accept the Connection/Point of Connection offer and further payments will be required by instalment to coincide with our anticipated incidence of expenditure.

  The initial payment will include works undertaken in preparing the Connection/Point of Connection Offer which have not already been invoiced under the Electricity (Connection Offer Expenses) Regulations. It will also include costs for us to undertake preparatory works, such as route planning/marking, approaching third parties for consents, undertaking studies such as for earthing and, where an Independent Connection Provider is involved, our fees for approving their design.

  Further stage payments will be staged so as to reflect our incidence of expenditure at significant milestones, e.g. to coincide with the manufacturer’s request for payment by NGED.

  The payment schedule specific to a project will normally be set out in the Connection Offer but we aim to issue an invoice for the initial payment within two weeks of acceptance. All invoices must be paid within 28 days of issue in order to avoid potential delay. Please refer to the payment profile in your Connection Offer and Section 6 of the General Terms and Conditions for further details.

  The ways in which you can make payment for your new electricity supply are set out below: 

  Cheque 

  Cheques should be made payable to “National Grid Electricity Distribution” and posted to National Grid Electricity Distribution, AR Payments Team, PO Box 231, Elliott Road, Plymouth, PL4 0YU

  Telephone 

  We accept most major credit & debit cards (charges may apply). Please note, for security reasons, the person making the call must be the registered card holder. Please call 0330 0800 449 during office hours and quote your NGED reference number.

  Internet Banking/Bank Transfer (BACS) 

  You can also make a payment from your bank account using the following details:

  Account name: National Grid Electricity Distribution

  Bank Account Number: 22410923

  Sort Code: 40-14-13

  Please quote your NGED reference number. 

  If applicable please send remittances to: National Grid Electricity Distribution, AR Payments Team, PO Box 231, Elliott Road, Plymouth, PL4 OYU or email: nged.remit@nationalgrid.co.uk

  Alternatively you can pay using the Quickpay feature found via the following link: https://nationalgrid.mysecurepay.co.uk/  

• Statement of works

  The Statement of Works process normally applies where generation of 100kW or greater is to be installed. Following acceptance, where the Statement of Works process is required, details of the project will be passed to NGED's Statement of Works (SoW) team. They will confirm whether the connection fits within remaining available capacity (Materiality Headroom and Fault Level Headroom) at the relevant Grid Supply Point (GSP), or whether Project Progression or Modification Application is required from National Grid.

  In the case of Project Progression or Modification Application, we will inform you of any required payment to initiate this process and issue an associated invoice. Any payment arising as a result of the Statement of Works is outside the scope of the connection charge specified within the Connection Offer.

  We have published a guidance document on the Statement of Works process. This guidance sets out the role of National Grid Electricity Transmission and how they may impact upon connections to NGED's Distribution System. It also provides an overview of the Statement of Works process. 

  A copy of the guidance can be downloaded here. 

• Highway Notices and Authority Permissions

  Where the scheme requires works to be undertaken within the curtilage of a highway, railway, canal or any other authority with land that has specific requirements, it will be necessary to follow specific notification processes and agree a schedule of work with the responsible organisation(s).

  Highway notices are required in advance of the start of work in accordance with the New Roads and Streetworks Act (NRSWA). The notice period required will depend on the level of work due to be undertaken but may be up to 3 months where we are required to close a road or lane of traffic.

  There may be instances where the highway authority will impose embargoes preventing work due to special events taking place. There may also be instances where the highway may impose additional requirements, such full width reinstatement, in locations which have been newly constructed, reconstructed or resurfaced.

• Legal Permissions, wayleaves and consents

  Before we install our equipment in third party or private land, or are able to adopt connection equipment provided and installed by an Independent Connection Provider, we will usually require some form of permission or consent from landowners, local authorities and other statutory organisations. It is important that our customers and landowners fully understand the information we require and the legal permissions and consents processes.

  We have published a number of useful guides on our website, including:

  • Summary guide to land rights and consents for new connections: An introduction to the type of consents and permissions we may require in the course of our works. 
  • Information for landowners and customers: A guide for landowners and customers to understand the legal permissions and consents process. This guidance includes: 
    • Why legal permissions are requried 
    • Details about wayleaves and deeds 
    • Information about statutory consents and other permissions 
    • The process for obtaining legal permissions 
    • The role of Independent Connection Providers (ICPs) 
  • Guide for landowners relating to ICP works: Guidance and information for landowners on the processes for obtaining of legal permissions and consents relating to assets installed by ICPs.
  • Independent Connection Providers (ICPs): Guidance and information for ICPs on the processes for obtaining of legal permissions and consents relating to assets which they will install for adoption by NGED. 
  • Independent Distribution Network Operators (IDNOs): Guidance and information for IDNOs on the processes for obtaining legal permissions and consents relating to assets installed by ICP’s which will be adopted by IDNOs but include an interface with NGED's network to which we will require access.
  • Request to divert overhead tower lines: Guidance and information for landowners and developers on NGED's approach to requests to divert overhead tower lines. The guidance relates to land that is being promoted for development which is over sailed by overhead tower lines and any associated apparatus.

  Timescales for completing the legal and consents processes 

  The timescales for completing the processes can vary depending on the type of consents required and how quickly we receive responses from third parties, such as landowners and their appointed solicitors. We do, however, focus on minimising delays in the legal processes for our new connection customers. This is achieved through a number of approaches including internal standards of performance and a Collaborative Partnership Protocol which outlines a series of practical steps that our customers and their lawyers can take if they wish to avoid delays in securing connections to our network.

  More information on our legal processes and the Collaborative Partnership Protocol, along with links to the above mentioned guides, is available here.

• Connection Agreement

  As a result of entering into a supply contract with your chosen supplier, you will automatically enter into the National Terms of Connection. In many instances, we will also require a site specific connection agreement, setting out the necessary terms and conditions upon which the customer is connected to, and may remain connected to, NGED's Distribution System.

  The connection agreement will include information such as:

  • the address of the connection 
  • the owner of the connection 
  • the maximum import and/or maximum export capacity permitted 

  The connection agreement may also include diagrams showing the ownership boundary between the customer’s equipment and NGED's Distribution System.

  A draft Connection Agreement will be provided within 20 working days following acceptance. A completed and signed Connection Agreement specific to the connection requirements will need to be in place prior to energisation.

  It is important that this document is returned to NGED as soon as reasonably practicable to prevent any delay in making the connection.

• Bilateral Connection Agreement (BCA)

  Where the new connections and network are to be adopted by an Independent Network Operator (IDNO) the connection to our distribution system will be covered under a Bilateral Connection Agreement (BCA). This will set out the terms by which the IDNO may be connected to NGED's Distribution System and will include matters such as the connection characteristics and responsibilities.

• Site Specific Agreement

  A site specific agreement will be required where NGED will adopt constructed network assets from an Independent Connections Provider (ICP) in accordance with the Framework Network Access and Adoption Agreement.

  The framework sets out the overarching agreement for the adoption of assets and any live jointing works they may undertake across all four NGED licensed areas. The site specific agreement will be put into place for an individual scheme to set out the site specific connection requirements, including specification of the assets to be installed and adopted.

• Meter Locations

  An external meter box offers the benefit of providing easy access for meter reading and maintenance works to be carried out with little or no inconvenience to the occupant. An external meter box must be placed on the external side of a wall where it is accessible from the front of the property. It is advisable that a meter box does not open out onto a footpath or right of way.

  Permissable Meter Locations:

  • In an external meter box (recommended) 
  • Inside the property on an EXTERNAL wall 
  • In a suitable weather proof meter cubicle 

  In a meter box located externally on an outside wall

  

  Inside the property on an external wall

  

  Meters should not be located: 

  • Inside a dustbin, coal or refuse store 
  • Above doorways 
  • In a bathroom, toilet or shower room 
  • In a basement or cellar 
  • Under stairs where the headroom is less than 2m
  • On partition walls made of plasterboard, drywall or similar 
  • Close to a source of water that could damage the equipment or cause an electrocution risk 
  • In any location which is in breach of the current edition of BS7671 "Requirements for Electrical Installations" 
• Excavation onsite by the customer

  The programme of onsite excavation must be agreed with NGED. Where required, the customer will be responsible for the provision of a stone dust bed around cables to NGED's specification.

  Where ducting is used, draw cords shall be incorporated and the ends marked for ease of location. The depth of the trench will vary depending on the type of cable and the location but in all instances an approved yellow electric cable marker tape should be laid for the entire length 75mm above the cable.

  Cable Type	Location	Trench Depth	Trench Width Single Cable	Min Cover Over Cable	Two Cables Spacing	Trench Width Two Cables
  LV & Services	Pavement or Private Land	530mm	300mm	450mm	150mm	300mm
  LV & Services	Roadway (ducts)	600mm	300mm	520mm	150mm	300mm
  HV	Pavement or Private Land	530mm	300mm	450mm	150mm	300mm
  HV	Roadway (ducts)	600mm	300mm	520mm	150mm	400mm

  When installing cables in agricultural land the cable must be laid at a sufficient depth to allow for deep ploughing and cultivation. The required depth, as agreed with the National Farmer's Union is 1000mm for all LV and HV cables. 

• Installation of Electrical Plant and Equipment

  We may require access to establish the electrical apparatus within the building and will arrange this with you, or with your site contact where one has been provided.

• Excavation Work and Cable Installation

  The Connection Offer will specify any works to be completed onsite by the customer. The specifications for minimum cable depths and reinstatement requirements can be found in the above section 'Excavation onsite by the Customer'.

  Any works to be undertaken by us in the highway will be done in accordance with the New Roads & Streetworks Act 1991 (NRSWA) and in third party land with the owner’s consent.

  In some circumstances there can be delays to the works, particularly where it involves disruption to traffic sensitive routes or other embargoes enforced by the authority. More information on factors affecting the timeliness of connection works is included within this document.

  Excavation works may take place in advance of any agreed date for electrical installation works and our reinstatement teams may not visit until a few days after completion to finish off the reinstatement works.

• Overhead line works

  Installation of overhead line works will commence following completion of necessary line surveys and obtaining of relevant consents including:

  • Planning consent in accordance with S37 of the Electricity Act 
  • Strategic overhead line planning with the Planning Inspectorate for overhead lines at 132kV and extending for more than 2km
  • Third party consents from landowners 
• Process

  The below table summarises the steps taken from application through to completion of works: 

  Step	National Grid Electricity Distribution	Customer
  1	Assess the information you have provided, contact you to provide details of the local team responsible for the connection and, if required, request any additional information.	Provide additional information where requested.
  2	Send you a Connection Offer which is valid for 90 days.	To accept the Connection Offer, sign and return the Letter of Acceptance together with any payment due.
  3	On receipt of acceptance and payment, contact you to agree the dates for the works or discuss any pre-requisite matters, such as obtaining legal consents.	Prepare your site for our arrival in accordance with the requirements set out in your Connection Offer. This may include meter box installation and onsite excavation.
  4	If required, enter into a legal process to obtain permissions for access to install and maintain our equipment.	To ensure the legal process runs smoothly, provide any information possible about the land on which the site is based.  More information is available here.
  5	Send you a Meter Point Administration Number (MPAN).	Register your MPAN with a supplier and enter into a supply contract.
  6	Complete all works to make the connection as stated in the Connection Offer.	Appoint a suitably qualified electrician to carry out any internal wiring and connect this to your supply.  Arrange with your supplier or meter operator a date to install your new meter. Please note, the meter can only be installed after we have completed the connection works.

   

• Meter Point Administration Number (MPAN) and Meter Operator Installation

  We are not an energy supplier and therefore you cannot set up your billing accounts with us. A list of licensed suppliers can be found on the Ofgem website: www.ofgem.gov.uk

  You will also need to appoint a meter operator for the installations of metering equipment in preparation for energisation. A list of meter operators can be found on the Association of Meter Operators website: www.meteroperators.org.uk

  We will provide you with a Meter Point Administration Number (MPAN) for each connection. As it is unique to each premises it is important that we register these against a postal address, therefore please provide details of the final post address once known.

  We will require 3-4 weeks lead time to issue the MPAN.

• Completion Certificate and Request for G99 Testing

  Where the connection is for generation, you will need to provide us with a completion certificate. We will require 20 to 25 days lead time to attend site for energisation and G99 witness testing. Each G99 witness test visit is chargeable and is not included in the Connection Charge.

  More information on the G99 connection procedure, including the fee for witness testing, is set out here. 

• Novation of a Connection Offer

  A signed Letter of Acceptance enters the customer, as specified within the offer, in to a binding contract with NGED. We recognise that there may be occasions where the contract needs to be transferred to a third party. To do this, we will require a Novation Agreement which enables all parties to agree to the transfer of the contract.

  Upon completion, the new customer is treated as though they have always been the customer and the original customer no longer has any rights or responsibilities under the contract.

  Should you wish to novate your Connection Offer, please speak to your NGED contact who can issue the relevant novation document.