What's involved
Wind & solar farms / Large scale storage
What size distributed generation equipment are you connecting?
To provide you with the best advice and information, we need you to select the size of generation equipment you're connecting.
- Solar and storage equipment rated 5kW or lower
Great news! If you're making connections 5kW or lower, you simply need to notify us using our automated portal 'Smart connect'. There will be no additional work required from our teams. Just to give you an idea, this capacity rating allows up to approximately 10 solar panels at domestic properties or small businesses. Find out more. - Solar or storage equipment rated up to 50kW
If you're connecting equipment from 5kW up to 50kW, you can also use our automated portal 'Smart Connect' to apply to connect. Once you've submitted your request, our team will take a look and let you know if any updates are needed to the electricity network. Ready to go ahead? Use Smart connect to apply. - Solar or storage equipment for 50kW or higher
If you're connecting equipment rated at 50kW or higher, you can find the relevant guidance and information further down, including the steps you need to take to complete your project. Typically, this would apply to large scale connections such as wind and solar farms. Continue reading.
We understand planning projects of this nature takes a considerable amount of time and effort including securing land rights, gaining planning permission and ultimately securing a grid connection. Our engineers will work with you to provide the most suitable connection at the lowest cost.
What's involved
Understanding your requirements
If you're not sure where to begin or if you'd like to explore your options, use our pre-application support tools including our Network Infrastructure and Usage (NIU) Map, Open Data Portal and our Long Term Development Statement.
Complete our application form
If you have a clear idea of what you need, the next step is to submit a G99 Generator Standard Application Form and the relevant supplementary form (both found on the ENA website) and send it to connections.gateway@ukpowernetworks.co.uk. Once we receive your application, our planning team will design a suitable connection for your project. (More information on the application forms can be found further down).
We will send you a price
Our team will review your requirements and send you a detailed price to connect to our network. We'll also inform you if we believe any upgrades or reinforcements are required on the transmission network owned by National Grid.
Payment and booking in the work
If you're happy to go ahead, we would need full payment to proceed with connecting to our network. We'll also take care of notifying National Grid on your behalf so they can check the impact of the connection on the transmission network. We'll continue to keep you notified of any updates and may need to revise your quotation based on the outcome and any additional work required.
Connect your generation equipment
If there are no changes required to the electricity network, you can go ahead and connect your generation equipment. We may need to be there on the day to complete some tests.
If changes to the network or transmission systems are required, we'll collaborate with National Grid to complete the necessary changes before. Once we're done you can connect to our network. Don't worry, we'll give you an estimated time to complete the work before we start.
Did you know you can use our Network Infrastructure and Usage (NIU) map to help you with your project?
It shows the approximate locations and key details of our overhead network (power lines, poles and towers), substations (grid, primary and secondary) and where existing demand or generation connections are in place.
Having transparent access to this information about our electricity network can be useful in the initial stages of your project and help you to self-serve online.
Ready to Apply?
If you're all set, you will need to complete two forms, the G99 Generator Standard Application Form (GSAF) and the relevant supplementary form. You can find them both on the ENA website by searching for "G99" in their search bar. Simply send your completed form back to us using the email below. Need help determining the right supplementary form? You'll also find the Engineering recommendation (EREC) G99 guide on the ENA website to help you.
All forms need to be sent back to connections.gateway@ukpowernetworks.co.uk.