1. WPD Connections Overview
Ian Sandford
Primary System Design Team Manager – South Wales & South West
February 2015
Overall message is contact us early and conversations are free

2. Our distribution services area
Service Territory
WPD operate 4 of the 14 UK electricity licences and distributes electricity to 7.8m customers

3. Connections in WPD
We deal with approximately 50,000 connection enquiries in a year including 6,000 for generator connections
We connect approximately 36,000 new sites in a year
35,000 small sites connected at LV
1000 large sites connected at HV
60 large sites connected at EHV
A key change has been the increase in the number of generating plants connected to the distribution system
We have connected over 4000MW of generation
Much of the electricity network is now constrained or at capacity due to the amount of DG that has connected
Does not include small scale generation or connections to our network by others

4. Connections – who does what
Customer – apply for the connection and co-ordinate the various parties
DNO – licenced operator who provides the connection from the network to the meter
IDNO – alternate network providers who build, own and operate network assets
ICP – alternate network providers, DNO adopts assets
Supplier – provides the bill and arranges meter readings
Meter Operator – carries out metering activities for the supplier
Ofgem – regulates the gas and electricity distribution and transmission networks. Sets Guaranteed Standards of performance for connections and agrees charging methodologies

5. The key stages in the process
The process for making an electricity connection varies according to what is being connected and the impact it has on the existing network but the key stages are;
Information
Application
Quotation and Agreements
Construction and Connection

6. Information
The WPD website provides information and guidance for customers, developers and connection providers seeking connection services including;
Information on the process of connecting to the network
EREC G83 ‘Recommendations for the connection of small-scale embedded generators (up to 16A per phase) in parallel with public low voltage distribution networks’
EREC G59 ‘Recommendations for the connection of generation plant to the distribution systems of licensed distribution network operators
Competition in Connections guidance and information
Information to identify opportunities to connect to the network
WPD’s basis of charges I on the use of system area on the website
LTDS allows you to identify current and future opportunities
G59 – route map for generator connections

7. Information WPDWebMap – site specific PDF of assets
Small Scale Mapping – 1:25,000 PDF of 132kV down to
11kV assets
EHV system map – high level map of 132, 66 and 33kV
networks
Estimated capacity on 11kV/LV substations
Constraint map - highlighted 33kV with voltage or
thermal issues
Project underway to implement data extract in KLM
format (viewable with google map) and also containing data attributes
Webmap – where to dig
Small Scale mapping shows kV

8. Information Connection Surgeries
Following a successful trial last year we are rolling out an annual schedule of Connection Surgeries
Our Connection Surgeries allow customers to discuss face-to-face with one of our engineers, either the process of applying for a connection in general or specifics about a particular scheme
Particularly aimed at DG connection customers, the surgeries provide assistance with questions on process, timescales, technical requirements and possible constraints in a particular network area
Timetable
Held 4 times per year in our regional Distribution offices closest to where most participants live
26th March 2015
17th June 2015
10th September 2015
10th December 2015

9. Application It is important to contact us in the early stages
Three options
Call our Contact Centre
Apply online - application forms are available on our website
Send an Application Form to our Records Team
1 day contact – internal standard implemented to contact customer to discuss connection after application

10. Application- what information do we need?
The information we require varies depending on what you want to connect but generally we need;
Contact details and site address
Do you need a budget or a formal offer?
A site layout plan showing where the connection is required
The capacity of the connection
The type e.g. demand or generation
Any special equipment characteristics
Budget estimate – free
Feasibility – looks at a range of options and limitations – chargeable
Formal offer – specific sit and full generator details available

11. Timescales for providing quotations
The timescales for WPD to provide a quotation for non contestable quotations are
45 working days for LV generator connections; and
65 working days for HV and EHV generation connections
The timescales for WPD to provide a quotation for contestable (POC) quotations are
30 working days for LV generator connections; and
50 working days for HV and EHV generation connections
Compensation is paid if WPD miss these deadlines
There are other standards that apply throughout the connections process
Over 30 standards including
Time to estimate/quote
Schedule dates
Commence works
Complete works
Applies to WPD all the way or POC

12. Quotations
Estimates and quotations are produced by local Network Service Teams up to 33kV
Above 33kV design is quotation is by our Primary Systems Design Team
Our Network Services planners are responsible for a section of the network and therefore have valuable local knowledge when discussing and designing connections for customers
Our planners handle both requests for connection by WPD and competition in connection (CiC) requests from connection providers
Our quotation will break our charges down into the areas that are contestable and non contestable
Offer can recover costs in stages
On acceptance pay design costs/wayleaves and survey
Abortive costs are non refundable
Offers are valid for 90 days
Offer comprises charges plus conditions either site specific or general
Customer pays for sole use assets or portion of reinforcement
PC offer covers kva capacity/voltage of connection/frequency/source impedance/volt drop/fault level

13. Contestable and non contestable
work that can be done by an independent connections provider (ICP)
Non contestable
work that must be done by the DNO
If you wish to appoint an ICP to carry out the contestable works they must be accredited with Lloyds Register
We will adopt the works after completion and require an adoption agreement from you/your ICP
IDNOs also provide networks that they operate and own

14. Minimising your connection charge
Your connection charge will be based on the minimum scheme to make the connection
To smooth the process and keep costs to a minimum we recommend
Provide early details of the full load requirements so that we can prepare an accurate offer quickly
Legal consents, particularly wayleaves can take time, this is an area where you may be able to help us
Consider undertaking your own excavation and civil works to reduce our charge
Shortest route lengths and service positions close to your equipment minimise the costs

15. Agreements
For a typical DG connection the following agreements are required:
Formal Offer – the contract between you and us to pay for the specified connection
Wayleaves and Consents – depending on the connection there may be requirements to transfer or lease land to WPD for the connection assets
Local Authority consents and DECC Section 37 consents
Connection Agreement – the enduring agreement for the connection once energised
Adoption Agreement – where the connection works are carried out by an independent connection provider this is the agreement for WPD to adopt the assets constructed
Agreements with us and agreements with others
Wayleaves are required from private landowners
Public highway needs LA consent
DECC new oh lines need section 37 consent – may involve consultation with others parties
Bigger schemes – 132kV need IPC plus poss environment statement/SSI consult

16. Construction and Connection
The local team is responsible for the delivery of network activities including connections
These teams handle all competitive and non-competitive connection enquiries up to 11kV for unmetered, metered demand and generation schemes.
At 33kV and above the works are delivered by our locally based major projects teams
Customers will have a named contact and telephone number throughout the process
You will need to appoint a supplier and arrange the metering

17. Connections process summary
Call our Contact Centre, apply online or send an Application Form to our Records Team (ensure you enclose a plan)
We will calculate the Connection Charge and send you an Offer showing Contestable and Non-contestable costs
Decide whether you want us to do all the work or to appoint an ICP to carry out the Contestable work
If you wish to use an ICP, appoint them and ask them to apply to us for an Offer
If you want us to carry out all the work, sign and return the Offer acceptance, together with payment
We will contact you to discuss a date to carry out the work and any other requirements e.g. obtaining Wayleaves or consents and completing a Connection Agreement
Register your new supply MPAN with an electricity supplier and arrange your metering
Before we visit, please complete any on- site works which you may be providing
We will complete the works and energise your connection

18. Where to find out more
There is a lot information and advice on the WPD website – simply click on the “connections tab” including
G59 technical guidance on the requirements that you must meet before the generating plant can be connected to the network
WPD charging statement
Connecting Community Energy
Register for one of the UK wide “DG forums”
Sign up for a WPD connections surgery
DG forums good for driving agenda of improvements
WPD connections panel

19. Useful websites and telephone numbers
Contact us
New Supplies, Records Team
Western Power Distribution
Toll End Road
Tipton
DY4 0HH
Tel: