3.29 Quicker and More Efficient Connections - Queue Management and Connection Milestones

Why does UK Power Networks operate a connections queue management regime?

UK Power Networks operates a connections queue management regime in accordance with Best Practice Guidance issued by the Electricity Networks Association (ENA). We do this is response to feedback received from our customers and Ofgem in 2016. This is intended to prevent sterilisation of capacity by projects that are not progressing within an acceptable period, thereby releasing the capacity for other projects that are progressing more quickly. 

In order to follow the Best Practice Guidance, this Quote is conditional upon You achieving the Milestones set out in the Milestone Table below and providing evidence of the same to UK Power Networks within the corresponding period given in the Milestone Table below. 

When was this introduced?

This applies to Projects where the quotation was issued on or after the 6 April 2017 and the criteria below are met.

Which Projects does this apply to?

This table shows the types of Project to which the connections queue management regime will apply:

Type of Project Installed Export capacity*
New installations <200kW >200kW
Demand only project N N
Mixed project - import/export N Y
Storage led project N Y
Augmentations (no new UKPN assets required) N N
Augmentations (new UKPN assets required) N Y

*Export capacity requested or additional (not the new total)

Milestone Table

This table shows the Milestones that apply and the timescales in which You must provide the required evidence to prove that the Milestone obligations have been met:

# Milestone Description Date by which the Milestone must be completed and evidence of its completion provided to UK Power Networks
M1 You have submitted an application for planning permission for the development of your Site. Quote Days + 150 days
M2 You have received planning permission for the development of Your Site. M1 Date + 365 days
M3 You have obtained the necessary Land Rights for the development of Your Site.

Quote Date + 150 days
M4 

Where applicable to the development of Your Site the Statement of Works process has been completed with the Transmission System Operator. In particular, you will:

  • have initiated and continued the process (including a separate application to the Transmission System Operator if applicable); 
  • have made the necessary payment(s) to UK Power Networks in connection with the Statement of Works;
  • have accepted any corresponding variation to the Quote or contract offers resulting from the Statement of Works; and
  • be maintaining the relevant financial securities with the Transmission System Operator.
 Project specific date if applicable 
M5 If applicable, You have submitted a compliant design for the Contestable Connection Works Expected Completion Date - 180 days
M6 You have commenced and are diligently progressing with the Contestable Works (if applicable) and Your development Expected Completion Date - 60 days 
M7 You have completed the construction of the generating facility  Expected Completion Date - 30 days 

 

If your development requires an Environmental Impact Assessment before planning permission will be granted you should write to UK Power Networks confirming that this is the case and provide reasonable supporting documentation. UK Power Networks may then issue a revised Milestone Table which reflects that it may take longer to get the necessary planning permission for your development.

If You fail to either discharge any of the milestones or provide to UK Power Networks reasonable evidence of their discharge within the relevant period in accordance with the Milestone Table (or any such later revision of the Milestone Table that UK Power Networks may issue), UK Power Networks may write to you giving you 30 days to provide evidence to UK Power Networks that you have discharged the relevant milestone. If you fail to provide such evidence within 30 days (or such longer period as UK Power Networks may agree in writing) you shall be deemed to have committed a material breach of the Quote and UK Power Networks may terminate the Quote by giving you written notice. 

If UK Power Networks terminates the Quote due to your failure to achieve a milestone or provide evidence that it has been achieved within the relevant period you will be required to pay UK Power Networks such sums as would be payable to UK Power Networks under clause 15.3, 15.4 and 15.8 of the Terms and Conditions as if the DNO had terminated the Quote in accordance with clause 15.1.1.

To reflect the above connections queue management regime clause 3.3.3(ii) of the Terms and Conditions is deemed to be deleted and replaced with "not used".

Evidence required for each Milestone

This table details the evidence You are required to provide for each Milestone: 

# Milestone Description Evidence Required
M1 You have submitted an application for planning permission for the development of your Site. A copy of confirmation of receipt of the application from the relevant planning authority or such other reasonable evidence as UK Power Networks may agree. 
M2 You have received planning permission for the development of Your Site. A certified copy of the planning permission for the development of Your Site (including, where appropriate, any UK Power Networks substation site or other apparatus) or such other reasonable evidence as UK Power Networks may agree. 
M3 You have obtained the necessary Land Rights for the development of Your Site.

A certified copy of the legal documentation by virtue of which:

  1. You are the owner or lessee of the land upon which Your development is to take place;
  2. You have entered into an agreement to lease the land upon which your development is situated;
  3. You have an option to purchase or to lease the land upon which Your development is intended to take place; or
  4. You have entered into an exclusivity agreement in relation to the land upon which Your development is intended to take place,

or such other reasonable evidence as UK Power Networks may agree.
M4 

Where applicable to the development of Your Site the Statement of Works process has been completed with the Transmission System Operator. In particular, you will:

  • have initiated and continued the process (including a separate application to the Transmission System Operator if applicable); 
  • have made the necessary payment(s) to UK Power Networks in connection with the Statement of Works;
  • have accepted any corresponding variation to the Quote or contract offers resulting from the Statement of Works; and
  • be maintaining the relevant financial securities with the Transmission System Operator.

 

  

 

  • Instruction for the DNO/confirmation of receipt of application from the Transmission System Operator;

 

  • Confirmation of receipt of payment from UK Power Networks;

 

 

  • A copy of the signed variation/corresponding contract;

 

 

  • Confirmation from the Transmission System Operator that the relevant securities have been provided.

 
M5 If applicable, You have submitted a compliant design for the Contestable Connection Works Complete design submission received by UK Power Networks.
M6 You have commenced and are diligently progressing with the Contestable Works (if applicable) and Your development Submission of the customer's programme of works (and/or ICPs programme of works) that demonstrates that the Contestable Connection Works (if applicable) and Your development will be completed by the agreed connection date and demonstrate to UK Power Networks that such work are progressing in accordance with such programme(s).
M7 You have completed the construction of the generating facility  As set out in the construction plan agree with UK Power Networks

  

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