Competition in connections
Customers can seek competitive quotations for some of the works required to make a new connection to Electricity North West’s electricity distribution system.
Overview
The work involved in providing new connections can be split into two categories. The first category is non-contestable work. These works can only be undertaken by the host network operator in this case Electricity North West Limited. The second category is contestable work. These works may be undertaken either by Electricity North West Limited or by an accredited Independent Connections Provider (ICP).
An independent connections provider (ICP) can undertake contestable works. An ICP is a company that has been approved and included on the Lloyd's Register list of Contractors under the National Electricity Registration Scheme (NERS). These companies build electricity networks to the specification and quality necessary for them to be adopted (owned) by Electricity North West’s.
For the latest information on ICP's accredited to undertake work in Electricity North West’s licensed distribution areas, please visit the Lloyd's Register Group www.lloydsregister.co.uk/ners.html
If you require a formal quotation for both contestable and non-contestable elements or a formal quotation for non-contestable elements only, please download the “Electricity Application Form".
The form contains further instructions on the appropriate sections to complete. Please return the completed form and supporting documents such as the relevant assessment and design charge, either by:
Further advice and information on the application process may be obtained from our Connections department by calling
0800 048 1820 (option 3) or e-mail connections.enquiries@enwl.co.uk
Works that can be carried out by an Accredited Contractor
The following contestable works may be carried out in their entirety either by Electricity North West Limited or by an Approved Contractor on the applicant's behalf and in accordance with our specification.
1. The design for the network extension and any contestable reinforcement of the existing network.
2. The procurement and provision of equipment and materials to Electricity North West Limited current specification for the extension.
3. Trenching and other preparation of the site, including the circuit routes between the development and the point of connection.
4. Construction of the network extension and any contestable reinforcement and diversions
5. Recording of work done and of the location of cable routes and other equipment on site or elsewhere, and the provision of this information Electricity North West Limited.
6. Reinstatement (both temporary, if appropriate and permanent) of the site, including the circuit routes.
7. Making provision for the installation of metering equipment.
8. Legal Consents
Works that must be carried out by Electricity North West
For reasons of safety, and to enable us to comply with our duty under the Electricity Act 1989, as amended, to develop and maintain an efficient, co-ordinated and economical system of electricity supply, the following works are the responsibility of Electricity North West Limited.
1. Processing your application and adoption of assets
2. Determining the point of connection to the distribution system
3. Approval of contestable designs for new connections and contestable reinforcements.
4. Connection of the extension, reinforced or diverted assets to the distribution system and their energisation
5. Carrying out of any works for the purpose of reinforcing the distribution system where the conditions for such activity being contestable work are not met.
6. Planning, designing, specifying and carrying out any works associated with the diversion of distribution assets where the conditions for such activity being contestable work are not met.
7. Removal or repositioning of existing Electrical Plant and Electric Lines.
8. Agreeing and obtaining any suitable Legal Consents that Electricity North West requires
9. Operation, repair and maintenance of the electrical plant and the electric lines
10. Inspection, monitoring and testing of any contestable work
Please refer to Electricity North West Limited “Statement of Methodology and Changes for Connection to the Electricity North West’s Distribution Network” for further information on the charges associated with these activities.
Where an accredited Independent Connections Provider undertakes the contestable work, then subject to the terms and conditions of the Agreement to Adopt having been satisfied, ownership of the new assets will be transferred to Electricity North West. This is a three way agreement between the customer, the customer’s Independent Connections Provider and Electricity North West stating the terms and conditions under which Electricity North West will adopt the new connection.
Design Specification
To assist customers or their appointed ICPs in undertaking contestable works, a suite of national documentation has been developed setting out common requirements for Design and Planning, Material Specification and Installation and Records. The Electricity North West Limited appendices must be read in conjunction with the national framework documents, which can be found below.
National Framework Documents:
Engineering Recommendations
Electricity North West Appendices to the National Framework Documents:
Standards of Service for Competitive Connections
From 1 October 2007, Electricity North West Limited is required by Ofgem to meet prescribed levels of performance against the following three key Non-Contestable areas of work as specified in a new licence condition called SLC 15 Standards of Service(Standard Licence Condition 15):
1. Provision of quotations including Point of Connection (POC)
2. Design approval or reasoned objection
3. Completion of final connections/phased energisations.
The SLC 15 Standards of Service sets out the prescribed levels of performance. SLC15 applies where the customer has requested Electricity North West to provide any of the services detailed in the attached SLC15 table and where the request is limited to the provision of non-contestable connection services only. We are required to use reasonable endeavours to meet these timescales in all cases and must meet the timescales in at least 90% of all cases.
Competition in Connections Complaints Resolution Process
If you have an issue or concern at any point during the process for provision of competitive electricity connections, please contact your designated contact in the first instance. If you are unable to resolve the issue or concern with the designated contact, please contact the Connections Compliance Manager, David Ball on 0800 048 1820.