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Choose required connection type:
- Domestic connection
- Commercial connection
- Multiple domestic connections
- Multiple commercial connections
- Disconnection
- Load change
- Alteration
- Generation connection (G98/NI) stage 1 commissioning
- Generation connection (G98/NI) stage 2 application
- Generation connection (G98/NI) stage 2 registration
- Generation connection (G98/NI) stage 2 commissioning
- Generation connection (G99/NI)
- Generation connection (G99/NI Fast Track)
- DFI Streetlighting
Microgeneration (G98/NI)
Not sure which application form to use? Use our ‘Help to Decide’ tool to find the most appropriate application form for the work you would like carried out.
Help To DecideImportant Notice
Customers and Installers of Micro-generators up to 16A per phase should note that installations commissioned on or after 27 April 2019 must meet all of the requirements set out in the new Engineering Recommendation EREC G98/NI. After this date commissioning of new Micro-generators type tested to the existing EREC G83 standard will NOT be permitted. Further details can be found at the following link.
EREC G98 NIHow the connection process works
Which process the connection will follow will depend whether the installation falls under G98/NI Stage 1 or G98/NI Stage 2. This will dictate the number of submissions you need to make to NIE Networks to complete the works.
Typically, you will need to submit commissioning documents for a Stage 1 project. Whereas with a Stage 2 project, you will need to submit an application, a registration document and a commissioning document. This is so we can fully assess the works and check the electricity network has the capacity to receive your generation installation.
- G98/NI Stage 1 is for single installations at a single site in an area.
- G98/NI Stage 2 is for multiple installations at multiple sites within a close geographical area (sites within 500m of one another having microgeneration installed by the same organisation and within 28 days).
What you need before you start
Please consult the information below before completing any of the G98/NI forms. You will not be able to submit your form without all the relevant documentation.
Select your Microgeneration (G98/NI) option
Please ensure that you submit the form applicable to the process your connection falls under i.e. G98/NI Stage 1 or G98/NI Stage 2.
If you are unsure which process your connection falls under you can either Contact Us or use our Help To Decide tool.
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The G98/NI Stage 1 process is for single installations at a single site in an area.
The Installer shall fit the microgeneration at the customer's site and commission the installation.
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Submit commissioning documentation
YOU
The Installer has 30 days from the date the site is commissioned to submit the completed commissioning documentation to NIE Networks.
This information verifies that each microgenerator installation complies with Engineering Recommendation G98/NI and is suitable to be connected to the electricity grid. -
NIE Networks will process the commissioning documentation and arrange to have an import/export meter fitted at the site (if required). An import/export meter records the electricity units being exported to the grid.
Timescales for this process can vary and will be dependent on the volume of applications received.
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You will need to agree a purchase contract with an export supplier to sell the electricity units being exported to the grid. Please note: you may have two electricity suppliers – you may buy electricity from one supplier and sell or export electricity to another supplier.
NIE Networks has no involvement in the purchase contract agreement – your chosen export electricity supplier will provide this information. It will be your responsibility to provide export meter readings to your export supplier.
For more information on electricity suppliers operating in Northern Ireland, you may wish to consult the Utility Regulator or the Consumer Council for Northern Ireland.
The purchase agreement with your chosen electricity supplier will only come into effect after the import/export meter has been installed.
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Submit a G98/NI Stage 2 application
YOU
Your Installer must submit an application for all proposed microgeneration connections at sites in a close geographic region (sites where more than one SSEG installation planned by the same organisation are within 500m of each other which are installed within 28 days of each other).
Your Installer should submit an application to NIE Networks as soon as possible to allow a network assessment to be conducted.
Your Installer may not fit or commission any generation at any site at this stage.
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A Network Connection Study must be carried out by NIE Networks for all G98/NI Stage 2 installations to assess the potential impact of the connection on the network. Once this assessment is complete NIE Networks will advise the installer of the outcome, which will be one of three options:
- NIE Networks agree in principle that the connection can proceed
- NIE Networks refuse permission to connect as there are fault level issues on the network
- NIE Networks inform the Installer that reinforcement works are required before the conneciton can proceed. This will include a cost estimate for the works (this is not a formal quotation and should be used as a guide only)
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If our network assessment shows that reinforcement works are required to the electricity network, the Installer must either formally request a quotation from NIE Networks for the works or withdraw the application if they do not wish to proceed.
If the Installer wishes to proceed, then a formal quotation shall be prepared and sent to the Installer within 90 days of NIE Networks receiving this formal request for a quote.
This quotation is valid for 90 days after which the quote will expire and if a new quotation is required the costs may increase.
If reinforcement works are not required then this step is not necessary, the process will move from Network Assessment step to Install Generation step.
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Network reinforcement works (if required)
NIE NETWORKS
The Installer will need to accept the formal quotation and pay a 20% deposit to proceed to this step. NIE Networks must be in receipt of full payment before any construction work begins.
NIE Networks will proceed with the activities required to connect the generator to the distribution system. This may include obtaining legal consents, procuring equipment and the completion of any construction work.
If reinforcement works are not required then this step is not necessary, the process will move from Network Assessment step to Install Generation step.
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Once any network reinforcement work (if required) is completed the Installer shall fit the microgeneration at the customer's site and commission the installation.
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The Installer shall register the connection as soon as the site is commissioned. This allows us to initially register the site.
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Submit commissioning documentation
YOU
The Installer has 30 days from the date the site is commissioned to submit the completed commissioning documentation to NIE Networks.
This information verifies that each microgenerator installation complies with Engineering Recommendation G98/NI and is suitable to be connected to the electricity grid. -
NIE Networks will process the commissioning documentation and arrange to have an import/export meter fitted at the site (if required). An import/export meter records the electricity units being exported to the grid.
Timescales for this process can vary and will be dependent on the volume of applications received.
-
You will need to agree a purchase contract with an export supplier to sell the electricity units being exported to the grid. Please note: you may have two electricity suppliers – you may buy electricity from one supplier and sell or export electricity to another supplier.
NIE Networks has no involvement in the purchase contract agreement – your chosen export electricity supplier will provide this information. It will be your responsibility to provide export meter readings to your export supplier.
For more information on electricity suppliers operating in Northern Ireland, you may wish to consult the Utility Regulator or the Consumer Council for Northern Ireland.
The purchase agreement with your chosen electricity supplier will only come into effect after the import/export meter has been installed. -
Your Generation installation is successfully completed when all steps are finalized.