DNO - new supply timescales, and enforcement?

I posted about this maybe 9 months ago, I'm doing a new build, I want a new supply to the house. I first contacted the DNO (Energetics) in May 2022. It took them 8 months or so to actually get back to me with a quote, I accepted, and paid almost immediately. It has now been over 3 months since I paid, and I have had no contact at all from them since. The phone rings out each time, emails are unanswered. Yes, they are still trading.

How can I escalate this?

Written letter?  Who oversees the DNO's - Ofgem?

Has anyone got a link to what they should be achieving, I was under the impression that it all should be completed within 6 months of first contact.

Thanks, Alan.

  • Is Energetics actually a DNO or does your DNO delegate now connections to them? If the latter, complain to the DNO itself.

    Given that you have paid, there must be a contract. What does it say?

  • Well, I think thye are a DNO, I contacted Scottish Power, and they told me the Network where I live belongs to Energetics. I think they piggyback off Scottish Power, so the main feed comes from SP, Energetics spur off the main feed, and run it themselves.

    Contract, no, just the Qoutation email, and a form to return, with payment details if I accept. It was returned, and payment made a few days later. There was a query on that form, 'when would you like the connection completed?' to which I put 'any time in May'. I've emailed them twice since, but not even had an acknowledgement from them.

    It is getting rather annoying now.

  • There are rules in respect of new connections so try this link. It tells you about time scales and routes to compensation. 

    https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/information-consumers/energy-advice-households/getting-gas-or-electricity-connection

  • Alan, I too would be annoyed. I would say that the quotation was an offer of a contract and payment was acceptance. You could void the contract for non-performance and get you money back, but that hardly moves things forwards.

    Problem is that these big companies make it difficult to deal with anybody who matters.

    SSE were no bother at all when I got a new supply, but the problem was with the supplier. IIRC, I contacted Ofgem and things got sorted eventually including a wee bit of compensation.

    Good luck!

  • Energetics I think are technically an IDNO, rather than a true DNO - but still operate under a license from Ofgem,

       - Andy.