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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.
Hello Ben When I was involved in providing quotations for DNO connections to new properties this situation often arose. When it came to apportioning costs, regulation at the time set a % limit on the new load increase in relation to the existing Transformer capacity. This was to take of account for normal incremental load increases on the network, and to stop customers being made to pay for major upgrades for a small increase in load.
If a Transformer was presently at a capacity that would require it to be changed to accept the new additional load, then, depending upon the percentage proportion of the new load increase in relation to the existing capacity of the Transformer, the customer would be either be charged or not. I.E. - If it was a large Transformer that was at full capacity, and the new load was small in proportion to that capacity but would overload it if added, then the DNO would be responsible for the cost of the upgrade.
So, it may be useful to speak to the DNO responsible for the existing Transformer, and if they are charging you for the upgrade of that Transformer, then establish from them in writing their interpretation of that charge to you in relation to the aforementioned.
I trust the foregoing is of some assistance to you
Hello Ben When I was involved in providing quotations for DNO connections to new properties this situation often arose. When it came to apportioning costs, regulation at the time set a % limit on the new load increase in relation to the existing Transformer capacity. This was to take of account for normal incremental load increases on the network, and to stop customers being made to pay for major upgrades for a small increase in load.
If a Transformer was presently at a capacity that would require it to be changed to accept the new additional load, then, depending upon the percentage proportion of the new load increase in relation to the existing capacity of the Transformer, the customer would be either be charged or not. I.E. - If it was a large Transformer that was at full capacity, and the new load was small in proportion to that capacity but would overload it if added, then the DNO would be responsible for the cost of the upgrade.
So, it may be useful to speak to the DNO responsible for the existing Transformer, and if they are charging you for the upgrade of that Transformer, then establish from them in writing their interpretation of that charge to you in relation to the aforementioned.
I trust the foregoing is of some assistance to you
