- Region
- Central and Southern Scotland
- Typical timeline
- 13-17 wk
- Application fee
- £300-500
- Network Study
- Above ~400 kW typical
What's distinctive about SPEN
Strong on substation upgrade requirements. Sometimes requires Network Study for installs above 400 kW. Active in voltage support requirements.
For FE college solar projects in Central and Southern Scotland, 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.
ScottishPower Energy Networks (SPEN) processing performance
Practical tips for SPEN college solar applications
Scottish Government Net Zero by 2045 framework increases demand on SPEN for public sector decarbonisation connections. Pre-application meetings recommended for installs above 250 kW. SPEN runs distinct Scottish flexibility markets.
FE colleges in SPEN territory
We've worked with G99 connections for installs at FE colleges across the SPEN network. Named providers in this territory include:
- City of Glasgow College
- Glasgow Clyde College
- Glasgow Kelvin College
- Edinburgh College
- West Lothian College
- New College Lanarkshire
- South Lanarkshire College
- West College Scotland
- Fife College
- Forth Valley College
- Borders College
- Dumfries and Galloway College
- SRUC (Auchincruive, Edinburgh, Dumfries)
Project sequencing with SPEN
- Week 0-2: Pre-application call with SPEN (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: SPEN 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: SPEN witness testing — typically a single day; arranged 2-4 weeks after physical commissioning.