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To begin, create your NIE account and log in to start your application process. For guidance on completing your application, select the 'What you need before you start' option above and check out our help video. We recommend seeking assistance from your electrician or architect to ensure all required details are accurately provided.

This step is part of a single process that applies to both Option 1 and Option 2. The process will then split after Step 4, with distinct steps for each option from that point forward.

After receiving your application, our team will carefully review it to ensure all necessary details are provided. If additional information is required, one of our advisors will reach out to discuss your application further. Please note that this may cause a slight delay in processing.

This step is part of a single process that applies to both Option 1 and Option 2. The process will then split after Step 4, with distinct steps for each option from that point forward.

Once we have all the relevant information, we will design your connection works and provide you with a quotation pack within 7-15 days.

Your quotation will be valid for 90 days, after which time the quote will expire. If we need to re-issue a quote the costs may increase.

This will include two options:

• Option 1 - NIE Networks undertakes all of the connection works (the non-contestable and contestable elements)
• Option 2 - NIE Networks undertakes the non-contestable elements of the work, and the Independent Connection Provider (ICP) that you appoint will complete the contestable works. 

To understand more about these options and their significance, visit the Competition in Connections section.

This step is part of a single process that applies to both Option 1 and Option 2. The process will then split after Step 4, with distinct steps for each option from that point forward.

If you select Option 2, you will need to choose your accredited Independent Connection Provider (ICP) to complete the contestable works associated with your connection as NIE Networks will only complete the non-contestable works.

Your connection will not be complete without this ICP company, you will need to appoint them and pay them for their work separately.

The timeline to complete this step will depend on you and the accredited ICPs.

This is where the process starts to diverge depending on whether you select Option 1 and Option 2. There are distinct steps for each option from this point forward.

To proceed with your connection work, you’ll need to accept one of the quote Options and make a payment.

The steps set out below describe the process if you select Option 2 Non Contestable Works only. 

We'll need to receive a signed copy of the 'Acceptance of Terms' form and your deposit amount within 90 days of the quote being issued. You can pay online through our secure payment system using debit card, credit card, bank transfer or BACS, or by posting a cheque.

If you select Option 2, you will also need to submit an ICP Nomination Form to confirm who is carrying out the contestable works associated with your connection design (NIE Networks will only complete the non-contestable works if you select Option 2).

Your connection will not be complete without an ICP, you will need to appoint them and pay them for their work separately.

This is where the process diverges depending on whether you selected Option 1 and Option 2. The process will split after this Step 4, with distinct steps for each option from that point forward.

Your chosen ICP will submit a design of their proposed contestable works to us. 

We will review your ICP's design to confirm it complies with our policies and specifications.

To ensure your connection work can be completed, you need to register with an electricity supplier. This will be the company that will issue your electricity bill and deal with any queries you have about your bill. We have provided a helpful tool here: Find My Electricity Supplier.

After your connection application has been confirmed (upon receipt of your Acceptance of Terms and deposit payment), we will proceed with scheduling site visits. These are typically completed within 7-10 working days.

In some cases, depending on the complexity of your connection design and the local terrain, a full site survey may be necessary. A survey could take up to 3 months to complete.

If the construction method requires access through land that is not owned by you, then NIE Networks will need to secure permission from that landowner to access and work on their land before any work can proceed. This could take up to 3 months to complete.

If your connection requires electricity equipment to be installed on land owned by others, then it will be necessary to obtain the legal consents for a wayleave lease or easement from the landowners. These negotiations with the landowners can take up to 9 months or longer. To help speed up the process, we encourage you to begin discussions with the landowners early. For more details, please watch the short video above to learn about the legal consents process.

It may also be necessary to obtain planning permission for the connection works for example if a new pole or substation is required. The planning application and the local planning authority's decision process could take 6 months or more to complete.

It will also be necessary to consider if your planning permission has been decided before progressing to the next stage.

Depending on survey results, landowner negotiations, legal consents, and planning permission requirements, additional costs may apply. If this happens, we'll provide an updated quote with a revised design. We will keep you informed throughout the process to ensure transparency and clarity.

Your Independent Connection Provider (ICP) company will need to undertake the same activities for their contestable works; NIE Networks are not able to do this for your chosen ICP. 

If there are legal consents required for our non-contestable works then we will obtain these our scope of the connection work only. We will not obtain legal consents for your ICP's works. 

You will need to arrange for your Independent Connection Provider (ICP) to carry out their contestable construction work.

The timeline to complete this step will depend on you and your ICP.

We will complete quality assurance inspections of your ICP's work to ensure it complies with NIE Networks' policies and specifications.

Your connection will not be complete without your ICP completing their contestable work and NIE Networks completing the non-contestable work.

Once full payment (if applicable) has been received and all pre-construction requirements are finalised, we will contact you to arrange a start date for your work.

Please ensure your site is prepared according to the agreed design and that your electrical consultant’s work is fully completed. If your connection design requires NIE Networks to carry out the excavation, this will typically be done 1-2 days before meter connection. If excavation work is being undertaken by others or by your Independent Connection Provider (ICP), it must be completed before our start date, as we cannot begin work until this is done. 

We will carry out the construction and pre-commissioning of our scope of the connection (the non-contestable works).

You will need to arrange the construction of the contestable works by your ICP (step 10).

Your connection will not be complete without your ICP completing their contestable work and NIE Networks completing the non-contestable work.

Your Independent Connection Provider (ICP) will need to submit a signed Completion Certificate to NIE Networks once all of their contestable works are complete.

NIE Networks will then undertake commissioning activities. Upon successful energisation, NIE Networks will accept and transfer ownership and operational responsibilities of contestable works from your ICP.

A connection card is a single page document completed by your electrical contractor which certifies that the electrical installation within your property is safe and complies with current wiring regulations.

You'll need to download a connection card, get your electrician/electrical consultant to fill in the details, and submit to us by email (ConnectionCard@nienetworks.co.uk).

Once you have registered with an electricity supplier and submitted your connection card to us, we will contact you to arrange an appointment to complete the installation of your meter. This will complete the connection works, allowing you to use the electricity supply.