New business energy connection: who to contact and what to expect

Who does what

People mix up three different jobs, and getting this right saves weeks:

Job	Who does it
Bringing a cable or pipe to your boundary and making the connection	The network company (electricity: DNO; gas: GDN or IGT), or an accredited contractor for some parts
Selling you energy and billing you	Your chosen supplier
Installing and reading the meter	The supplier arranges this

The network does not choose your supplier and the supplier does not run the wires. Citizens Advice describes the same split on its connections page (written for homes, but the roles are the same for business sites).

When you need a new connection

• A new-build unit, extension or change of use that has no existing supply.
• A site where the old meter was removed and the supply was cut off.
• A bigger supply than you have today, for example three-phase for machinery or EV chargers (see three-phase supplies).
• A first-time gas supply to a building that has only had electricity.

If a meter exists and only needs reconnecting, your supplier may be able to handle it without a new connection. Ask first, since it is faster and cheaper.

Electricity: contact your DNO

Every postcode belongs to one distribution network operator. Ofgem points people to the Energy Networks Association postcode search to find theirs (see Ofgem). Contact that DNO with the address, the load you need (kW or kVA, see supply capacity) and your timescale. They quote for the work.

Some parts of the job are "contestable", meaning an accredited firm other than the DNO may carry them out, and you can compare quotes. Confirm with the DNO what needs its inspection or agreement before you hire anyone.

Gas: GDN or independent transporter

Most of Britain's gas pipes belong to one of the regional gas distribution networks. New estates and business parks are sometimes served by an independent gas transporter, a licensed company that owns the local pipes instead. One commercial guide says the IGT, in those areas, handles the physical connection and issues the MPRN, after which your supplier arranges the meter. It is worth checking who serves the site, using the postcode lookup on the Find My Supplier service or by asking the developer or landlord.

Citizens Advice notes that a gas connection can be refused if pipework is unsafe or the premises are more than 23 metres from a main (these are home rules, but they show how distance drives cost), and that a main extension may be possible but expensive.

Smell gas at any point? The national emergency number listed by Ofgem is 0800 111 999. Leave the building and call.

What decides the cost and time

• Distance to the nearest main or cable and whether roads must be dug.
• Capacity. A larger supply may need network reinforcement.
• Access and permissions from landowners or neighbours.
• Contestable work. Using an accredited contractor may be cheaper, or not.

Citizens Advice gives no fixed timescales, saying only that connections take longer with more work, and recommends choosing a supplier early. Ask each network how long its quote is valid.

Planning example: a new unit needing gas and three-phase power

A bakery fits out a new unit. A sensible order of events:

1. Start: ask the landlord whether supplies already exist, and who the network operators are.
2. Soon after: request quotes from the DNO (electricity) and gas network, stating the load.
3. Accept quotes, arrange payment and any road permits.
4. Meanwhile: pick suppliers and agree contracts so they start when the supply goes live; read setting up energy for a new business.
5. After connection: supplier fits meters and you submit readings.

This is an illustration of sequencing, not promised timescales. For lead times see how long a new connection takes.

What to have ready before you ask for a quote

Network companies quote faster and more accurately when the request is complete. Gather these before you contact them:

• The full site address and postcode, and a site plan showing where you want the meter position.
• A list of the main equipment with its rated power, so the total load can be worked out.
• Whether you need single-phase or three-phase power.
• For gas, the appliances and their rated input in kW, such as boilers and ovens.
• The date you need the supply live, and any dates the site is inaccessible.
• Contact details for whoever controls access: landlord, developer or site manager.

Worked example: estimating the load for a small unit

Illustrative figures. A café fit-out lists a 9 kW combination oven, a 3 kW coffee machine, 2 kW of refrigeration, 1.5 kW of lighting and a 6 kW water heater. Added up: 9 + 3 + 2 + 1.5 + 6 = 21.5 kW. Not everything runs at full power at once, so a designer will apply an allowance for that, but the raw total shows this site is near the upper end of what a single-phase supply handles comfortably. That is a question to raise with your electrician and the network operator early, not after the kitchen is installed.

Common snags

• Choosing a supplier too late. The cable can be live but you cannot use it until a meter is fitted and registered.
• Underestimating load. Increasing capacity after connection usually means a second application.
• Assuming the landlord has arranged it. Ask for written confirmation of what exists at the boundary.
• Letting a quote expire. Note the validity date and the payment terms.

Meters on a new supply

After the network connects, a supplier has to install a meter. Citizens Advice warns this can cause delay and that the supplier may charge for it. See do I need a new gas meter and meter installation and replacement.

Next steps

1. Work out your load (kW) and whether you need gas.
2. Identify your DNO and gas network from the site postcode.
3. Request written quotes and ask what can be done by other accredited contractors.
4. Choose suppliers early to avoid meter delays.
5. Check whether an existing supply is registered; see finding your supplier.

Biz Energy is independent and not a supplier, network operator or broker.