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The electricity distribution network operator (DNO) that serves northern Scotland and the south of England has announced that customers who want a new or increased electricity connection can take a step-wise approach to their connection in its southern area – reducing upfront costs and speeding up the connection.
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) says companies in its central southern England licence area will be able to progressively increase their electricity demand over time, connecting or increasing existing capacity by 1-5MW per year, up to a maximum of 15MW.
It says the option will speed up connections projects already in the connections ‘queue’ with mid-2030s connection dates. The long lead time is generally because the new connection may cause transmission-level constraints, so it requires a Transmission Evaluation Assessment (examining whether it has an effect at the transmission or ‘motorway’ part of the electricity network). A ramped profile will avoid the need for transmission reinforcement.
SSEN said it has already completed a trial of the new ramping scheme in West London.
To qualify for a ramped connection, a customer must be within SSEN’s southern licence area and be seeking new load connections or load increases between 1MVA and 15MVA. Customers must provide a build-out schedule and meet agreed milestones, with a maximum ramping rate of 5MVA/year.
Companies seeking a ramped connection can should indicate this in their connection application form and include a proposed ramping profile. A connections designer will call to discuss the application and review the ramping approach and if it is likely to accelerate connections timescales.
Existing customers in the connections queue whose project is waiting on transmission works may be able to move to a ramped connection.
https://www.ssen.co.uk/our-services/new-supplies/large-new-connections/
