New Electricity Connections for Developments, Businesses and Homes
Air Utilities is a NERS accredited Independent Connection Provider delivering new electricity connections across England, from single-plot self-builds to large commercial and industrial schemes. We design and build the contestable works, the on-site cabling, substations and infrastructure, and coordinate the network operator throughout, so your supply is energised on time and adopted from day one. Whether you need a single-phase domestic supply or a high-voltage connection with a dedicated substation, we deliver it under one contract with one point of contact.
What Is a New Electricity Connection?
A new electricity connection links your development, building or plot to the local electricity distribution network for the first time, or replaces a supply that never existed on the site. It covers everything from the point of connection on the existing network, through the cabling and any substation, to the meter position where your supply is finally energised.
Every new connection in Great Britain splits into two parts. The contestable works are the parts an accredited ICP such as Air Utilities can carry out in competition with the Distribution Network Operator (DNO), including cable laying, jointing, ducting, civils and substation installation. The final energisation onto the live network stays with the DNO. Determining the point of connection sits between the two: it was historically non-contestable, but under the Competition in Connections Code of Practice a number of network operators now allow an accredited ICP to determine the point of connection and register it with them, subject to audit, which takes weeks out of the front end of a programme. We manage the full scope either way, so you deal with one team rather than several.
LV and HV Electricity Connections We Deliver
Air Utilities is accredited to design and build low-voltage and high-voltage connections. The right one for your project depends on how much power you need.
| Connection type | Typical capacity | Suited to |
|---|---|---|
| Single-phase LV | Up to around 23 kVA | Individual homes, small self-builds |
| Three-phase LV | Around 69 kVA (100A three-phase) | Larger homes, small commercial units, EV charging |
| HV with dedicated substation | Above around 500 kVA | Commercial, industrial, multi-plot, data-heavy sites |
Once a site needs more than roughly 500 kVA it usually requires its own dedicated substation, which changes both the design and the cost. We assess this at the feasibility stage so there are no surprises later. For schemes that require extra-high-voltage capability beyond our direct accredited scope, we deliver the connection through our network of accredited specialist partners.
New Electricity Connection Services
- New LV connections for homes, plots and small commercial units
- New HV connections for larger commercial and industrial developments
- Three-phase supplies and upgrades for higher-demand sites
- Substation design and installation where a dedicated substation is required
- Point of connection applications and all DNO liaison
- Cable laying, jointing, ducting and civils as the contestable build
- Temporary builders supplies to power a site during construction
- Testing, commissioning and energisation with full certification on handover
Why Use an ICP Instead of Going Direct to Your DNO?
Going direct to the DNO is not your only option. For the contestable parts of a new connection you can appoint an accredited ICP such as Air Utilities instead of waiting for the DNO to schedule the work. In most cases the ICP route gives you:
- Better programme control, because we build the contestable works to your construction schedule rather than the DNO's queue
- More design input, with G81-compliant designs tailored to your site
- Greater cost certainty, through fixed-price contracts for the on-site scope
- A single point of contact, so DNO liaison, design, civils and energisation all sit with one team
The DNO still carries out the non-contestable works, and we apply for these early and run them in parallel so they do not delay the end of your project.
What Affects the Cost of a New Electricity Connection?
No two connections cost the same. The main factors that move the price are:
- Distance to the point of connection. The further your site is from the existing network, the more trenching, ducting and cable are needed.
- Capacity required. Higher loads need larger cable and, above around 500 kVA, a dedicated substation.
- Substation requirements. A customer substation is one of the largest single cost items on a commercial connection.
- Ground conditions. Digging through soft verge is far cheaper than breaking out a highway or crossing a road.
- Traffic management and road crossings. Working in or across an adopted road adds permits and traffic management costs.
- Wayleaves and easements. Routing cable across third-party land needs legal agreements, which take time as well as money.
A useful point for demand connections: since Ofgem's Access and Forward-Looking Charges Significant Code Review, the Access SCR, took effect on 1 April 2023, the DNO pays for reinforcement of the existing distribution network in full, including reinforcement at the voltage level above your point of connection, rather than passing it to you. Two limits apply. First, there is a high-cost threshold, the High Cost Cap, set at £1,720/kVA and calculated on reinforcement at the voltage of your point of connection plus the voltage above it; a scheme that exceeds the threshold still carries a reinforcement charge. Second, the change covers distribution reinforcement only. Where a new distribution connection triggers reinforcement on the transmission system, that cost is still paid by the connecting customer. We check this on every demand quote, and where reinforcement has been loaded onto your costs and should not have been, we challenge it.
Because every site is different, and the cost depends on factors such as distance, ground conditions, capacity and any network works, we do not publish fixed prices. Tell us about your site and we will give you an accurate, no-obligation quote.
How Long Does a New Electricity Connection Take?
Timescales depend on the capacity, the site and how much work the network operator has to do. As a general industry guide, a straightforward LV connection can take from a few weeks to a couple of months once the design is signed off, while an HV connection with a new substation commonly runs to several months from engagement to energisation. A large part of any timescale sits with the DNO's own surveys, approvals and any works on their side, which is exactly why applying early protects your build programme.
Our New Electricity Connection Process
- 1
Enquiry and feasibility
We take your site and load details, check available network capacity and confirm what your connection needs.
- 2
Design
We produce a G81-compliant design to the DNO's standards, ready for approval.
- 3
Application and point of connection
We apply to the DNO, secure the point of connection and lodge the non-contestable works early.
- 4
Installation
Our NERS accredited teams carry out the contestable build, the cabling, jointing, ducting, civils and any substation.
- 5
Testing, commissioning and energisation
We test and certify the works, the DNO or an IDNO adopts and energises the connection, and you receive full certification and as-built drawings on handover.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a contestable and non-contestable electricity connection?
Contestable works are the parts an accredited ICP can carry out in competition, such as cable laying, jointing, ducting, civils and substation installation. Non-contestable works can only be done by the network operator, the clearest example being the final energisation onto the live network. The split is not fixed: under the Competition in Connections Code of Practice, determining the point of connection has been opened up to accredited ICPs on some networks, and the exact boundary varies by operator. Air Utilities delivers the contestable works and manages the non-contestable works on your behalf.
Do I have to use my DNO for a new electricity connection?
No. For the contestable parts of the connection you can appoint an accredited ICP such as Air Utilities instead of waiting for the DNO. The DNO still handles energisation and any off-site reinforcement, which we coordinate for you.
When does my site need a substation?
As a general rule, once your connection capacity exceeds around 500 kVA, the site usually needs its own dedicated substation. We confirm this at the feasibility stage and design it into the connection.
What is a point of connection?
The point of connection is the location on the existing electricity network where your new connection joins it, and it directly affects the cable route, the design and the cost. Determining it was traditionally a non-contestable task for the network operator, but under the Competition in Connections Code of Practice several operators now allow an accredited ICP to determine the point of connection and register it with them, subject to audit. SP Energy Networks runs a formal self-determination process for NERS accredited ICPs, and National Grid Electricity Distribution currently runs it as a trial. Where the operator allows it, having the ICP determine the point of connection removes a queue from the start of your programme.
Who pays for network reinforcement on a demand connection?
Since Ofgem's Access SCR took effect on 1 April 2023, the DNO pays for reinforcement of the existing distribution network in full, including reinforcement at the voltage level above the point of connection. Two limits apply: there is a high-cost threshold, the High Cost Cap, set at £1,720/kVA and calculated on reinforcement at the voltage of the point of connection plus the voltage above it, and the change covers distribution reinforcement only. Transmission reinforcement triggered by a new distribution connection is still paid by the connecting customer.
Can you provide a temporary supply during construction?
Yes. We install temporary builders supplies to power a site during construction, which can later be replaced or upgraded to the permanent connection.
Do you connect both homes and commercial developments?
Yes. We deliver new electricity connections for single homes and self-builds through to large commercial and industrial schemes, though our main focus is contractors and developers.
Get a Free Quote for Your Electricity Connection
Tell us about your site and load requirements and we will set out exactly what your connection needs. NERS accredited, one contract, one point of contact from design to energisation.