New connection costs and timelines

Why there is no single connection price

A connection quote bundles charges set by different parties under different rules. Some are competed for, some are fixed by the network, and one can be money back to you. Before any of the detail, three factors move the number more than anything else.

The same kVA can vary by an order of magnitude between two sites a mile apart. That is why a guide like this one cannot quote your job: it can only show you the shape of the bill so you can read a real quotation critically. The capacity and metering charges shown here sit alongside the wider non-commodity costs on every energy bill, which carry on after the connection is live.

Capacity bands and what they suit

Cost rises step by step with capacity, with the biggest jump when a site needs its own substation. Sizing to realistic maximum demand, with modest headroom, is the first lever on the quote. The single-phase and three-phase thresholds, and where half-hourly metering kicks in, are covered in detail on the new electricity connection page.

Legitimate ways to reduce cost and time

None of these is a trick. They are the standard levers a connection specialist pulls, and each works on a different part of the stack above.

New connection cost FAQs

The questions we are asked most often about what a connection costs, who pays, and what a quote leaves out. For the full set, see the new energy connections FAQ.

What are contestable and non-contestable works?

Non-contestable works can only be done by the network operator: determining the point of connection, designing and building any upstream reinforcement, and the final energisation. That charge is the same whoever you appoint. Contestable works are the parts an accredited ICP or UIP can do in competition, such as cable laying, jointing, ducting, civils and substation installation. Tendering the contestable element is where you save money and time.

What is the difference between single-phase and three-phase supply?

Single-phase suits lighter loads, broadly up to around 18 kW, which covers most small commercial units. Three-phase carries roughly three times the power and is needed for heavier machinery, larger premises and most sites with a maximum demand over 100 kVA, which generally also require half-hourly metering. We size this against your actual load so you are neither under-supplied nor paying for unused capacity.

Who pays for a new connection?

You do, as the connecting customer. Under the Electricity (Connection Charges) Regulations 2022 customers pay a fair proportion of the cost of connecting. There are three separate lines: the network operator's charge, the contestable construction works (paid to whoever you appoint), and the ongoing supply contract. Payment for the network and construction works is normally required before any physical work begins.

Can I get more than one quote for a new connection?

Yes, and you should. A DNO quote is usually a dual offer: the DNO does all the works, or it does only the non-contestable works and you appoint an ICP for the rest. You can pass the point of connection to one or more accredited ICPs for competitive quotes, then pick the best combination of price and programme. Running that tender is a core part of what we do.

How much does a new connection cost?

It is a stack of separately governed charges, not a single price, and it is driven mainly by capacity, distance to the existing main or network, and whether reinforcement is needed. A small low-voltage connection near the network can be a few thousand pounds; an industrial high-voltage site with a new substation and a long cable route runs into six or seven figures. Treat any range as a planning ballpark and get a formal quotation before budgeting.

Can I choose my own energy supplier on a new connection?

Yes. The network handles the physical connection, but your supply contract is separate and fully your choice. We tender the new MPAN and MPRN across our 30+ supplier panel and place a competitive contract from the moment the meter energises, so you avoid an expensive deemed or out-of-contract rate.

Do I need a substation?

Often, if your demand is large. Sites that need more than around 500 kVA typically require a dedicated substation, which adds significantly to cost and programme. Below that you usually connect directly to the existing low-voltage network. We assess this during capacity scoping so there are no surprises in the quote.

What is usually excluded from a DNO quote?

Quotes commonly exclude work beyond the network's own scope: your internal electrical installation, the meter itself, private cabling on your side of the connection point, and sometimes elements of the civils. This is a frequent cause of budget overrun, so we read the quote against your full project and price the exclusions before you commit.

How is Purely Energy paid for managing a connection?

Transparently, with our margin shown as a separate line. For managing the connection we add an uplift, our management margin, to the quote we put together for you, shown on its own rather than buried in a network or construction charge, so you see both what we earn and the underlying competitive prices we tendered. On the ongoing gas and electricity contract we are paid by a commission built into the unit rate (which we state in pence per kWh) or an agreed fee, your choice. Either way every margin is separated, so nothing is hidden.