- Region
- London, South East, East England
- Typical timeline
- 15-19 wk
- Application fee
- £300-600
- Network Study
- Above ~400 kW typical
What's distinctive about UKPN
High application volume slows processing. Frequently requests Network Study for installs above 350 kW. Active in export limitation discussions for constrained urban connections.
For FE college solar projects in London, South East, East England, 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.
UK Power Networks (UKPN) processing performance
Practical tips for UKPN college solar applications
Inner London substations frequently capacity-constrained — pre-application network capacity check strongly recommended. UKPN runs Flexibility Markets in London/SE that batteries can participate in for additional revenue. Highest application volume in the UK.
FE colleges in UKPN territory
We've worked with G99 connections for installs at FE colleges across the UKPN network. Named providers in this territory include:
- Capital City College Group (Westminster Kingsway, City and Islington, CONEL)
- New City College (Tower Hamlets, Hackney, Redbridge, Epping Forest, Havering)
- United Colleges Group (City of Westminster, CONEL)
- South Thames Colleges Group
- West London College
- Lewisham College / Southwark
- Newham College
- Croydon College
- Barking & Dagenham College
- Capel Manor College
- Sir George Monoux College
- Newham Sixth Form (NewVIc)
- Cambridge Regional College
- College of West Anglia
- Hills Road Sixth Form College
- Long Road Sixth Form College
- East Sussex College Group
- Chichester College Group
- City of Portsmouth College
- Plumpton College
- East Coast College (Yarmouth, Lowestoft)
- City College Norwich (Easton)
- Suffolk New College
- West Suffolk College
Project sequencing with UKPN
- Week 0-2: Pre-application call with UKPN (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 5-13: UKPN technical review; clarifications addressed within 5-10 working days each round.
- Week 14-19: Network Study (if required) and connection agreement issued.
- Build phase: Per project programme — physical install scheduled into summer break window.
- Commissioning: UKPN witness testing — typically a single day; arranged 2-4 weeks after physical commissioning.