A new electricity connection in the UK takes anywhere from four weeks to nine months, depending on the size of the supply, the state of the local network, and the route to market. The range is predictable if you understand the stages.
This guide sets out realistic timelines by project type.
The Core Stages
Every new electricity connection runs through the same sequence of stages.
Enquiry and budget quote: one to three weeks.
Formal design and firm quote: three to eight weeks.
Quote acceptance and contract: one to two weeks.
Network agreement and planning: two to six weeks.
Civils and cable installation: one to eight weeks depending on scope.
Energisation by the DNO: one to four weeks.
Some of these stages can run in parallel, some cannot. The critical path depends on site conditions.
Small Domestic Connection
A straightforward single-phase domestic connection on an existing LV network:
Enquiry to firm quote: two to four weeks.
Quote acceptance to energisation: four to eight weeks.
Total: six to twelve weeks.
Three-Phase Domestic or Small Commercial
A three-phase 100A LV connection (common for homes with heat pumps and EV chargers, or small commercial units):
Enquiry to firm quote: three to six weeks.
Quote acceptance to energisation: six to twelve weeks.
Total: nine to eighteen weeks.
Medium Commercial LV Connection
A 200 to 500 kVA LV connection for a commercial building:
Enquiry to firm quote: four to eight weeks.
Quote acceptance to energisation: ten to sixteen weeks.
Total: fourteen to twenty-four weeks.
HV Commercial Connection
An HV connection with customer substation:
Enquiry to firm quote: four to eight weeks.
Formal connection agreement: two to six weeks.
Design and procurement: six to twelve weeks (runs in parallel).
Civils and substation installation: eight to sixteen weeks.
Transformer lead time: six to twelve weeks (parallel with civils).
DNO commissioning and energisation: two to four weeks.
Total: sixteen to thirty weeks, sometimes longer.
Housing Development
A typical residential development where the main LV network serves plots:
Design and network agreement: eight to sixteen weeks.
Main LV installation on site: four to eight weeks.
First plot energisation: sixteen to twenty-four weeks from the start of detailed design.
Ongoing plot energisations: aligned with the build programme.
What Lengthens the Timeline
Reinforcement of the existing network is the single biggest source of programme risk. If the DNO determines that the existing network cannot support your new load, reinforcement works are needed. These can add two to six months, and they are outside your direct control.
HV equipment lead times. Transformers and switchgear have been on extended lead times in recent years. Twelve weeks is common, longer for larger or specialist kit.
Highway authority approvals for cable routes on public roads. Four to eight weeks is normal, longer on principal routes.
Design changes after the connection offer has been accepted. Every change triggers a revised quote and, in some cases, a new agreement.
Poor initial information. If the load estimate or site plan is inaccurate, the design has to be reworked.
Planning approvals for substation locations or feeder pillars.
What Shortens the Timeline
Complete and accurate information at enquiry stage. Site plan, load calculation, required energisation date, and meter position all matter.
Using an Independent Connection Provider (ICP) who can run design, procurement, and civils in parallel.
Early engagement, well before construction needs to start.
Choosing an IDNO adoption route on development projects, where the IDNO has commercial incentive to hit the programme.
Coordinating with other utility connections for shared trenches and traffic management.
Planning Tips
For commercial projects, budget the electricity connection as a twenty-four week project by default, and factor the typical connection cost bands into your programme alongside the timeline. Shorter is a bonus. Longer is common on complex sites.
Start the connection conversation at RIBA stage 2 or 3 for commercial buildings. Waiting until stage 5 is a common cause of programme slippage.
On housing developments, tie the first plot energisation target to the build programme early, so the utility design can work backwards from it.
On HV connections, confirm the transformer lead time at the quote stage and add it to the programme.
The Bottom Line
Electricity connection timelines are longer than most clients expect, but they are consistent if you understand the drivers. The biggest single thing you can control is starting the conversation early. The biggest thing you cannot control is whether the existing network needs reinforcement. Plan for the latter even when you hope to avoid it.