Setting Up Your New Business Electricity Connection
The cost, timescale and complexity of setting up your new business electricity connection will depend on the nature of your new premises. In this guide we explain what you need to do, and what information you’ll need to connect your electricity supply.
Distribution Network Operators
Your new business electricity connection is the responsibility of your local Distribution Network Operator (DNO). The national grid transfers electricity from its generation source to the DNOs. The DNOs then transfer that electricity to its end points in homes and businesses. You can find out who your DNO is by typing your postcode into the Energy Network Association database, which can be found here. Your DNO can help you to get your services connected, and can also help with metering queries.
If You’re Moving Into Existing Premises
If your new site has existing infrastructure in place, you’re off to a head start. If you already have a suitable meter installed at your new site, then the biggest task will be arranging your new energy contract. Luckily, we can help you to do this. Take a look at our
Guide to Business Energy Procurement for more information about switching.
Meter Installations
When setting up a new business electricity connection, you may need a new meter. For example, if you’re required to switch from a standard to a
Half Hourly Meter, or you want to upgrade to a Smart Meter, you’ll need to arrange installation. We can advise you on types of meter and help with your installation, but ultimately it’s your supplier who will appoint an engineer to carry this out.
As long as you have a meter endpoint, your installation can be more easily arranged. A meter end point, known as an MPAN for electricity and an MPRN for gas, means that your site has the infrastructure in place to receive power from the grid. If you’re moving into premises that previously had a supply, it’s likely you have meter end points in place.
What Information You’ll Need
In order to arrange your new business electricity connection, you’ll need the following information:
- Your MPAN (Meter Point Administration Number)
- What type of meter you have (whole current or CT ratio meter)
- Whether you need a single or three-phase supply*
- Whether any works have been completed regarding the connection
- How much electricity you’re likely to use
- Your agreed
kVA capacity If you’re arranging a gas supply too, you’ll need:
- Your MPRN (Meter Point Reference Number)
- How much gas you’re likely to use
- Whether you need a low pressure or medium pressure supply
- The type of boilers you have onsite
If Your Premises are Newly-Built
If you are the first occupant of your premises, setting up your new supply has some additional steps.
Firstly, you’ll need to contact your DNO to arrange connection to site. They will create an MPAN and, if you will also have a gas supply, an MPRN. Arranging a brand new electricity connection requires some paperwork. To do this, you’ll need:
- Site address
- Drawings and site plans
- Photos of where the connection will be
- Details of what kind of load the meters will require, such as single-phase*, three-phase, single-current etc.
Groundworks
Infrastructure connecting your site to the nearest connection points may be needed. This could include laying pipes and cables. This can be arranged via your DNO. A contractor will be appointed, based on your location, to carry out the works. It is sometimes possible to appoint your own contractor to carry out the works. Whether you can do this will depend on who your DNO is, but it can be more costly this way, and we would usually advise you to go through your DNO. Electrical wiring to your meter will also be arranged and carried out via your DNO.
Meters
Your supplier will arrange installation of your new meter.
How Much Does it Cost to Set Up a New Business Electricity Connection?
If Your Premises are Newly-Built
For a completely new connection, the costs can vary significantly. The main expense is likely to be the ground work. The reason cost is so unpredictable is that the geology and location of your premises will dictate the complexity of the work required. For example, if you’re close to a connection and there are no obstacles in the path of the pipes – such as large rocks – then connecting you will be more straightforward, and costs will be lower.
The cost of the meter is usually covered by the supplier up front, and rolled up into the cost of your energy. Additional costs may include planning permission, any permits, skips, etc. These will be included in your quote from the DNO.
Finally, if any of your machinery (other than your meter) needs to be wired in, you will need to appoint an electrician to do this.
If You’re Moving Into Existing Premises
If you’re moving into premises where there is already an electricity connection, costs will be much lower. You may need to appoint your own electrician to wire in any machinery, for which there will be a cost. If you need a new meter, your supplier will cover any up-front cost, which will then be rolled up into the cost of your energy.
How Long Does it Take to Set Up a New Business Electricity Connection?
As with cost, timescales can vary widely. If you’re moving into newly-built premises, it could take around 3-6 months to set up your new supply. However, if your new site has previously had a supply in place, your services could go live in as little as 14-28 days. Timescales depend on things like whether you need a new meter and availability of engineers.
*A single-phase meter is appropriate where you use standard appliances, such as computer equipment. A three-phase meter is appropriate for businesses who use heavy machinery such as commercial ovens, manufacturing equipment, etc.
