- Region
- Midlands, South West England, South Wales
- Typical timeline
- 13-17 wk
- Application fee
- £250-500
- Network Study
- Above ~400 kW typical
What's distinctive about NGED
Typically the fastest mainland UK DNO. Strong online application portal. Generally low clarification rate for well-prepared applications.
For FE college solar projects in Midlands, South West England, South Wales, this means three planning considerations: (1) start the G99 application within the first 8 weeks of project kickoff — the DNO timeline is typically the critical-path item; (2) factor Network Study fees into the Salix energy savings calculation where installs are above 400 kW; (3) prepare the protection coordination documentation in detail with the design package, which speeds first technical response.
National Grid Electricity Distribution (NGED, formerly WPD) processing performance
Practical tips for NGED college solar applications
NGED rebranded from WPD in late 2022 following acquisition by National Grid. Application portal moved to NGED domain. Strong response times — typical first technical response within 7 working days. Pre-application meetings rarely needed under 300 kW.
FE colleges in NGED territory
We've worked with G99 connections for installs at FE colleges across the NGED network. Named providers in this territory include:
- BMet (Birmingham)
- South & City College Birmingham
- Solihull College
- City of Wolverhampton College
- Warwickshire College Group (Moreton Morrell, Pershore, Royal Leamington)
- Coventry College
- Hereward College (specialist)
- Nottingham College
- Derby College Group
- Leicester College
- City of Bristol College
- SGS College
- Cardiff and Vale College (CAVC)
- Coleg Gwent
- Bridgend College
- Gower College Swansea
- Pembrokeshire College
- Hartpury College
- Cornwall College Group
- City College Plymouth
- Petroc (Devon)
Project sequencing with NGED
- Week 0-2: Pre-application call with NGED (recommended for installs above 250 kW); confirm point of connection and electrical design baseline.
- Week 3-4: Submit G99 application with full design package (single-line diagram, protection scheme, anti-islanding documentation, inverter specification).
- Week 5-11: NGED technical review; clarifications addressed within 5-10 working days each round.
- Week 12-17: Network Study (if required) and connection agreement issued.
- Build phase: Per project programme — physical install scheduled into summer break window.
- Commissioning: NGED witness testing — typically a single day; arranged 2-4 weeks after physical commissioning.