Distribution network operator


Distribution network operators are companies licensed to distribute electricity in Great Britain by the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets.
There are fourteen licensed geographically defined areas, based on the former area electricity board boundaries, where the distribution network operator distributes electricity from the transmission grid to homes and businesses. Under the Utilities Act 2000 they are prevented from supplying electricity; this is done by a separate electricity supply company, chosen by the consumer, who makes use of the distribution network.
Distribution network operators are also responsible for allocating the core Meter Point Administration Number used to identify individual supply points in their respective areas, as well as operating and administering a Meter Point Administration System that manages the details relating to each supply point. These systems then populate ECOES, the central online database of electricity supply points. Their trade association is the Energy Networks Association.

History

In 1990, the area boards were replaced by regional electricity companies, which were then privatised. The distribution network operators are the successors to the distribution arms of the regional electricity companies. The distribution network operators have a trade association called the Energy Networks Association
At September 2013, six company groups hold the fourteen distribution licences:
GSP Group IDArea IDAreaCompany
_A10East EnglandUK Power Networks
_B11East MidlandsWestern Power Distribution
_C12LondonUK Power Networks
_D13North Wales, Merseyside and CheshireScottish Power Energy Networks
_E14West MidlandsWestern Power Distribution
_F15North East EnglandNorthern Powergrid
_G16North West EnglandElectricity North West
_P17North ScotlandSSE
_N18South ScotlandScottish Power Energy Networks
_J19South East EnglandUK Power Networks
_H20Southern EnglandSSE
_K21South WalesWestern Power Distribution
_L22South West EnglandWestern Power Distribution
_M23YorkshireNorthern Powergrid

IDNOs

In addition to the distribution network operators noted above who are licensed for a specific geographic area there are also independent distribution network operators. IDNOs own and operate electricity distribution networks which will predominantly be network extensions connected to the existing distribution network, e.g. to serve new housing developments.
Area IDNameLicenseeMPAS Operator ID
24EnvoyIndependent Power NetworksIPNL
25ESP ElectricityESP ElectricityLENG
26Last Mile ElectricityLast Mile ElectricityGUCL
27GTCThe Electricity Network Company LtdETCL
28EDF IDNOUK Power Networks LtdEDFI
29HARLAXTON ENERGY NETWORKS LTDHarlaxton HARL
30Leep Electricity Networks LtdLeep Electricity Networks PENL
31UK Power Distribution LtdUK Power Distribution LtdUKPD
32Energy Assets Networks LtdEnergy Assets Networks Ltd.UDNL
33Eclipse Power NetworksEclipse Power NetworksGGEN
34Murphy PowerMurphy PowerMPDL
35Fulcrum Electricity AssetsFulcrum Electricity AssetsFEAL
36Vattenfall Networks Ltd.VATT

BNOs

A further, smaller level of distribution is the Building Network Operator, usually a company employed by the building owner, in a large building with many meters, such as a block of private flats. In this case the DNO may act as BNO and its responsibility may include the sub-mains to the individual flats, or DNO responsibility may end at the first incomer, in which case the independent BNO is responsible for the secure distribution cabling 'laterals' between that point and the individual fuses and meters. This arrangement is a relatively new development, historically such cabling would have been maintained and sealed by electricity boards that preceded the DNOs, and different DNOs supplying buildings of different sizes and conditions, may choose to adopt the wiring in the building or to insist that an independent BNO is appointed. Unlike a DNO or an IDNO, BNOs are exempted from any registration requirement by schedules 2 and 3 of The Electricity Order 2001
and this allows those responsible for the building network to employ any suitable electrical contractor on an ad-hoc basis.