- Region
- Central Southern England + Central and Southern Scotland
- Typical timeline
- 14-18 wk
- Application fee
- £300-500
- Network Study
- Above ~400 kW typical
What's distinctive about SSEN
Mixed processing speed depending on region. Strong on protection coordination documentation. Sometimes requires detailed transformer impedance modelling.
For FE college solar projects in Central Southern England + 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.
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) processing performance
Practical tips for SSEN college solar applications
SSEN covers two non-contiguous territories — Central Southern England and Northern Scotland — with different processing teams. Highland and Island connections often need additional logistics consideration. Application portal common to both regions.
FE colleges in SSEN territory
We've worked with G99 connections for installs at FE colleges across the SSEN network. Named providers in this territory include:
- Activate Learning (Reading, Oxford, Banbury, Bracknell)
- Berkshire College of Agriculture
- Sparsholt College (Hampshire)
- City of Portsmouth College (parts)
- Brockenhurst College
- Southampton City College
- Wiltshire College
- Swindon and Wiltshire College Group
- Inverness College UHI
- Perth College UHI
- Argyll College UHI
- North Highland College UHI
- Lews Castle College UHI
- Orkney College UHI
- Shetland UHI
Project sequencing with SSEN
- Week 0-2: Pre-application call with SSEN (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 5-12: SSEN technical review; clarifications addressed within 5-10 working days each round.
- Week 13-18: Network Study (if required) and connection agreement issued.
- Build phase: Per project programme — physical install scheduled into summer break window.
- Commissioning: SSEN witness testing — typically a single day; arranged 2-4 weeks after physical commissioning.