Green Building Forum - Electricity Connection Issue Sun, 12 Apr 2026 03:45:17 +0100 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/ Lussumo Vanilla 1.0.3 Electricity Connection Issue https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16088&Focus=273192#Comment_273192 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16088&Focus=273192#Comment_273192 Fri, 05 Apr 2019 18:51:32 +0100 Cbrect
I wondered if anyone has experienced a situation where a DNO has reported a substation at capacity?

Following a recent survey for a new build, we’ve been told that this is the issue and it could cost six figures for us to upgrade the substation.

We are building on a plot surrounded by houses, albeit in a semi-rural area and it’s a one off build with single phase requirements.

Naturally we’re besides ourselves with worry so any advice or experiences would be hugely appreciated.]]> Electricity Connection Issue https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16088&Focus=273195#Comment_273195 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16088&Focus=273195#Comment_273195 Fri, 05 Apr 2019 20:36:51 +0100 djh Posted By: CbrectI wondered if anyone has experienced a situation where a DNO has reported a substation at capacity?

Following a recent survey for a new build, we’ve been told that this is the issue and it could cost six figures for us to upgrade the substation.
I haven't any experience, thankfully, so can only sympathise. Six figures sounds extraordinary; as I understand it, you should be asked to pay a proportion of the cost of upgrading the infrastructure. You may want to read:

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/ofgem-publications/87259/guideelectricitydistributionconnectionspolicy.pdf]]> Electricity Connection Issue https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16088&Focus=273196#Comment_273196 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16088&Focus=273196#Comment_273196 Fri, 05 Apr 2019 20:44:20 +0100 Cbrect Electricity Connection Issue https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16088&Focus=273200#Comment_273200 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16088&Focus=273200#Comment_273200 Fri, 05 Apr 2019 22:44:14 +0100 tony Electricity Connection Issue https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16088&Focus=273204#Comment_273204 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16088&Focus=273204#Comment_273204 Sat, 06 Apr 2019 08:15:42 +0100 Peter_in_Hungary Posted By: CbrectFollowing a recent survey for a new build, we’ve been told that this is the issue and it could cost six figures for us to upgrade the substation.

Wait for the quote in writing. If it is over the top then challenge it. E.g. they have failed to upgrade the area to modern standards and putting the whole upgrade cost to you. Are any other houses likely to be built in the area soon that will need connection - implies a general infrastructure upgrade is needed which should not be put to you etc.

If it does turn out to be 6 figures then consider off grid which is becoming more affordable and reliable.]]> Electricity Connection Issue https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16088&Focus=273208#Comment_273208 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16088&Focus=273208#Comment_273208 Sat, 06 Apr 2019 15:33:05 +0100 Cbrect Electricity Connection Issue https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16088&Focus=273210#Comment_273210 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16088&Focus=273210#Comment_273210 Sat, 06 Apr 2019 16:15:00 +0100 djh Posted By: CbrectIs it even possible to run a larger house, off grid and have the usuals in the house?
You can buy quite a lot of solar panels and batteries for six figures! Or wind turbines or generators etc. You will want efficient systems though.]]> Electricity Connection Issue https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16088&Focus=273214#Comment_273214 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16088&Focus=273214#Comment_273214 Sat, 06 Apr 2019 19:18:00 +0100 Peter_in_Hungary Posted By: CbrectIs it even possible to run a larger house, off grid and have the usuals in the house?
A 6 - 8kWp solar panels and a couple of Tesla powerwalls should come in at less than 30k which would give you about 26kWh capacity and about 14kW peak load so your electric hob is probably a non starter but otherwise it should be OK. You will have to see what you actually expect. Apart from an electric hob (big instant load) the biggest consuming item is usually hot water which typically can be as much as everything else put together! (we use a bottled gas cooker due to electric power constraints and use 250 - 300 kWh per month running a bigish house and a farm)

Does your proposed location have mains gas? otherwise how do you intend to supply heating and DHW?

Don't forget that if an off grid system comes close to the power connection price you get no electric bills once you have bought the system (but budget for new batteries in about 15 years).

Down side is that off grid electricity is a deterrent for resale price.]]> Electricity Connection Issue https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16088&Focus=273215#Comment_273215 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16088&Focus=273215#Comment_273215 Sat, 06 Apr 2019 19:51:37 +0100 WillInAberdeen Electricity Connection Issue https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16088&Focus=273216#Comment_273216 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16088&Focus=273216#Comment_273216 Sat, 06 Apr 2019 20:16:50 +0100 Peter_in_Hungary Posted By: WillInAberdeenIn coming decades everyone will need somewhere to charge their electric car, they will stop making petrol cars.
Which gives all sorts of (unanswered) questions for the grid infrastructure and the costing of same.]]> Electricity Connection Issue https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16088&Focus=273218#Comment_273218 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16088&Focus=273218#Comment_273218 Sat, 06 Apr 2019 20:42:25 +0100 djh Posted By: Peter_in_HungaryApart from an electric hob (big instant load)
Neff make a 4-burner induction hob that plugs in to a 13 A socket. A friend has one and hasn't complained.]]> Electricity Connection Issue https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16088&Focus=273219#Comment_273219 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16088&Focus=273219#Comment_273219 Sat, 06 Apr 2019 21:03:42 +0100 Peter_in_Hungary Electricity Connection Issue https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16088&Focus=273220#Comment_273220 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16088&Focus=273220#Comment_273220 Sun, 07 Apr 2019 07:46:37 +0100 Cbrect
Wouldn’t you need a lot of solar panels to generate 26kw..?

That said, Tesla solar roof tiles look interesting..!]]> Electricity Connection Issue https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16088&Focus=273221#Comment_273221 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16088&Focus=273221#Comment_273221 Sun, 07 Apr 2019 11:53:19 +0100 djh Posted By: Peter_in_HungaryBut you are limited to about 3kW total power so your cooking slows down if you want to use all of the cooking areas.
I agree and I wouldn't have bought one myself even if they had been available when we fitted our kitchen. But as I say, a friend appears to be quite satisfied with hers and she does stir-fries and other things supposedly demanding, so it seems the concerns may be overstated.

Posted By: CbrectNo gas I’m afraid but LPG is an option - I’m not sure if that can somehow be connected to a gas hob.

Yes, that's quite a normal thing.]]> Electricity Connection Issue https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16088&Focus=273222#Comment_273222 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16088&Focus=273222#Comment_273222 Sun, 07 Apr 2019 12:30:03 +0100 owlman
Posted By: CbrectNo gas I’m afraid but LPG is an option - I’m not sure if that can somehow be connected to a gas hob.


Yes, that's quite a normal thing.

I think Zanussi do one, just need to change the burners.]]> Electricity Connection Issue https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16088&Focus=273223#Comment_273223 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16088&Focus=273223#Comment_273223 Sun, 07 Apr 2019 12:56:09 +0100 djh Electricity Connection Issue https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16088&Focus=273224#Comment_273224 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16088&Focus=273224#Comment_273224 Sun, 07 Apr 2019 15:27:54 +0100 owlman Electricity Connection Issue https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16088&Focus=273605#Comment_273605 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16088&Focus=273605#Comment_273605 Sat, 04 May 2019 15:43:14 +0100 CWatters
Our hob is actually a Britannia dual fuel double oven - two electric ovens with 6 gas rings on top. Took just a few mins to swap the jets over but get a gas Safe engineer to do it as I think they have to be adjusted.. Jets were supplied with the oven.]]> Electricity Connection Issue https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16088&Focus=273654#Comment_273654 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16088&Focus=273654#Comment_273654 Wed, 08 May 2019 05:19:43 +0100 cjard
I reason that if you can unscrew a dust cap, fill a car tyre with air to the right pressure, and screw the dust cap back on yourself, you can change the jets in a gas oven..

It's American, so about half the video is disclaimer and "rearguard action" - https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CZaj1k0CVeI - but as you may remember adjusting a Bunsen burner in science class tonget a nice blue flame it's "install jets. Tweak air supply. End"]]>