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New Build Supply Issue
Former Community Member
Has anyone here had an issue getting a connection to a new build, due to a substation being at full capacity? We are building in a residential area, albeit rural and on a plot of land that did have a property on it, although some years ago and upon requesting a temporary supply, the surveyor has informed me that I will have to pay to upgrade the network. When I asked about costs he said it could be anywhere from £10k to £100k. Obviously in a bit of a panic and thought I’d reach out to you experts and see if anyone could advise or alleviate my fast beating heart rate! Also, to ask if the old connection would have any bearing? Many thanks all.
I can't lighten your heart I'm afraid, as it rather depends what needs doing - if the old connection is still there, in good condition and live, arguably it can be re-puprosed, but only if there is enough capacity for the new building. If it has been removed for some time, then it is quite possible the capacity has been absorbed by load creep for other properties on the same transformer.
So it may need nothing, just new cables, or at the upper end you may be asked to contribute towards a larger transformer, and yes, that can be eye wateringly expensive, but even then not always if it was going to be changed anyway, depending on age and condition.
The only people who can say with any authority what is actually needed in any specific location are the local DNO (http://www.energynetworks.org/info/faqs/who-is-my-network-operator.html) if you enter your post code will find out who that is. I suggest you request an estimate in writing from them, then at least you know where you stand.
Unless your surveyor has already had a formal response from them, it can only be a guesstimate.
why 'temporary supply' ? if it is really only for a short period, hiring a genset may make more sense.
I can't lighten your heart I'm afraid, as it rather depends what needs doing - if the old connection is still there, in good condition and live, arguably it can be re-puprosed, but only if there is enough capacity for the new building. If it has been removed for some time, then it is quite possible the capacity has been absorbed by load creep for other properties on the same transformer.
So it may need nothing, just new cables, or at the upper end you may be asked to contribute towards a larger transformer, and yes, that can be eye wateringly expensive, but even then not always if it was going to be changed anyway, depending on age and condition.
The only people who can say with any authority what is actually needed in any specific location are the local DNO (http://www.energynetworks.org/info/faqs/who-is-my-network-operator.html) if you enter your post code will find out who that is. I suggest you request an estimate in writing from them, then at least you know where you stand.
Unless your surveyor has already had a formal response from them, it can only be a guesstimate.
why 'temporary supply' ? if it is really only for a short period, hiring a genset may make more sense.
