A new business electricity supply needs coordinated network, contract and metering arrangements. Start with the connection quote and assessed requirement, establish the supply identifier, then progress the supplier agreement and meter installation against the project programme. This guide covers Great Britain. BBA Energy helps with supply contracts and metering coordination; it does not design or install network connections.
Understand the connection quote and assessed requirement
The distribution network operator (DNO), or relevant appointed connection provider, handles the network proposal and work within its responsibility. An appropriately qualified electrical professional should assess the site's equipment, operating pattern and future requirements. Give the project team accurate plans and intended dates.
Read the quote for its scope, agreed capacity, prerequisites, exclusions, payment requirements and validity. Identify which work belongs to the operator, a connection provider and the customer's contractors. UK Power Networks' commercial process is one example; the applicable route and programme depend on the site and operator.
Capacity is usually expressed in kilovolt-amperes (kVA), while consumption is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). Do not substitute annual usage for a professionally assessed power requirement. Our capacity guide explains the initial decision and later review.
Obtain and verify the MPAN
The meter point administration number (MPAN) identifies the electricity supply point. Ask the connection project team who will arrange its allocation and which information or milestones are required. Check the legal customer, full address and relevant supply details when the record becomes available.
For several units or supplies, maintain a schedule matching each MPAN to its intended location. A site name alone may be insufficient where postal addresses or unit numbers are still being finalised. Keep provisional information clearly marked and circulate confirmed revisions.
An MPAN is not a physical meter serial number, an installed connection or confirmation that the premises can use electricity. Use the identifier guide to keep those records distinct. Ask the supplier what it needs to progress the commercial and metering arrangements rather than waiting for every construction activity to finish before making an enquiry.
Arrange the supply agreement and supplier registration
Prepare the supply details, intended start date, forecast consumption and relevant capacity information for the supplier enquiry. Explain whether the project is a new occupied unit, a development or a temporary construction supply, and flag programme changes that may affect the offer.
Use the quote-comparison guide to check the whole proposal. Confirm fixed and variable costs, standing and applicable capacity charges, term, payment arrangements and any separate metering or service requirements.
BBA Energy supports this contract stage by helping organise information, offers and supplier questions. Once agreement is reached, establish who will track supplier confirmation and registration, resolve queries and keep the project team informed. Do not treat sending a contract as proof that every requested arrangement has been accepted or completed.
Coordinate the meter with site readiness
Confirm the sequence and prerequisites with the operator, supplier, metering provider and electrical contractor. UK Power Networks' commercial guidance explains contacting the electricity supplier to arrange meters following its connection work. Start the coordination early and obtain the sequence applicable to the actual project.
Keep a responsibility checklist:
| Party | What to confirm |
|---|---|
| Network operator or appointed connection provider | Connection works, capacity, permissions and completion position. |
| Supplier | Supply agreement, registration and the route for arranging metering. |
| Metering provider | Installation requirements, appointment and completion evidence. |
| Customer's electrical contractor | On-site installation, testing and readiness within its scope. |
| Site team | Access, contact availability and any change to the programme. |
BBA helps coordinate the contract and metering enquiries. Technical design, network installation and the customer's electrical work remain with the relevant competent parties. If a programme changes, ask each responsible organisation what is affected and retain its answer.
Check completion, first billing and the next review
Record what each completion confirms and what is still outstanding. A paid quotation, allocated MPAN, fitted meter and active supplier account are different milestones. Before occupation or equipment commissioning, obtain the appropriate readiness confirmations from the project team.
Use the after-signing guide to track the supply start, account details and first bill. Check the recorded capacity and charges against the relevant agreement, then plan a later review using representative demand information and the business's future requirements.
For construction projects, the temporary-builders-supply guide covers changes during the build and responsibility at handover. BBA Energy's contract and meter-coordination support can help keep the commercial action list moving alongside the technical programme.