The background
Hundreds of consumers across the UK are selecting electrical autos, photo voltaic panels and warmth pumps to assist cut back vitality prices and carbon emissions. But prospects can generally face vital delays earlier than an set up at their dwelling is feasible. What’s extra, the period of time they’ve to attend will range relying on the place they dwell.
This postcode lottery of delays is brought on by the advanced and inconsistent processes utilized by the Distribution Community Operators (DNOS), who at the moment need to approve all installations. As buyer demand for these applied sciences begins to develop exponentially, we wish to work with DNOs, coverage makers and wider business to deal with this difficulty and assist present prospects with the most effective expertise doable.
To assist obtain this, we’re sharing our knowledge on DNO efficiency on set up approval delays…
 |
Distribution Community Operator | Common days to approve |
|---|---|---|
 |
Nationwide Grid Electrical energy Distribution | 13 |
 |
UK Energy Networks | 14 |
 |
Electrical energy North West | 18 |
| 4 | Scottish & Southern Power Networks | 24 |
| 5 | Scottish Energy Power Networks | 25 |
| 6 | Northern Powergrid | 31 |
Our knowledge reveals that prospects within the worst performing DNO are having to attend on common over 1 month for his or her approval to put in low carbon tech of their dwelling. These delays don’t apply to fossil fueled choices – we predict this wants to vary. This is a crucial problem, however there are many options.
A have a look at the info
Our knowledge reveals for Octopus prospects:
These residing in NGED and UKPN areas have gained the postcode lottery. Each DNOs common a 14 day approval throughout LCTs, in comparison with 31 days in NPGs space.
The slowest expertise a buyer may face is more likely to be for putting in photo voltaic in NPG or SPENs areas, who each have a mean of 40 days to approve an set up.
Precedence actions for DNOs
We have recognized 5 priorities for DNOs to hurry up approvals for low carbon tech (LCT):
Maximise the usage of auto-approvals
DNOs can and do instantly approve LCT connections in the event that they meet sure standards. To assist installers, DNOs ought to instantly publish these standards on which might join and the place with out works required.
Set a transparent deadline for approval timings
Approvals at the moment don’t have any deadline connected. This wants to vary, with clear minimal requirements to assist in giving prospects extra confidence within the course of. Equally, all applied sciences require a easy, streamlined course of for submitting functions by means of ENA’s Direct Join.
Replace engineering assumptions
There are a number of ways in which DNOs can change their methodologies for sooner approvals, resembling:
- Utilizing precise knowledge to set demand thresholds: Right now many DNOs use theoretical most demand assumptions that don’t replicate actuality and these will be up to date with actual buyer knowledge.
- Improve photo voltaic ‘G99’ thresholds: DNOs will mechanically approve photo voltaic installs under 3.68kW, however this threshold will be elevated. UKPN already has a 5kW restrict and has sector main efficiency on photo voltaic installs.
- Evaluate statutory voltage limits: it will require change throughout the sector however would allow extra LCTs to be put in
Allow versatile options to mitigate danger
Some DNOs already promote load limiting units or versatile technologies to approve LCTs extra rapidly. These inventive options needs to be maximised and finest observe adopted throughout the sector.
Permit third events to hold out important works
Collaborating with and permitting third events to hold out works, such fuse upgrades, can reduce set up occasions by minimising the variety of home visits required. UKPN and NGED already enable Octopus to hold out fuse upgrades for patrons, considerably decreasing set up delays.
