WPD Connections Overview

Ian Sandford

Primary System Design Team Manager – South Wales & South West

February 2015

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Service Territory

Our distribution services area

WPD operate 4 of the 14 UK electricity licences and distributes electricity to 7.8m customers

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

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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

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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

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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

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

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• 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

Timetable

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Contestable and non contestable

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

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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

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

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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

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Connections process summaryCall 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

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

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Useful websites and telephone numbers

Websites– www.westernpower.co.uk– www.ofgem.gov.uk– www.energynetworks.org– www.decc.gov.uk

Contact us

New Supplies, Records Team

Western Power Distribution

Toll End Road

Tipton

DY4 0HH– Tel: 0845 724 0240– Email: wpdnewsupplieswales@westernpower.co.uk