If you own or operate electricity generation on your land, then it is your responsibility to ensure that you are compliant with the Distribution Code – these are the rules that you must comply with to connect to the electricity network.
Changes to the Distribution Code come into effect on 1 September 2022. This means you are running out of time to ensure that your equipment is compliant with the new regulations.
Your electricity generation could be in the form of solar panels, a wind turbine, combined heat and power (CHP) or biogas – the Distribution Code changes apply to all generation that is between 11 kW and 50 MW and was installed before February 2018 (or in some cases, for type tested solar inverters, July 2018).
The changes are not optional. If your generation falls within this scope, you need to check your equipment now as you may need to deactivate, upgrade, or replace the Loss of Mains protection relays or inverters that connect your generation to the electricity network.
How to get help making the upgrades
There is step-by-step guidance available to help you understand what you need to do, and who can help you. Go to futureproofyourpower.co.uk to learn more, get help and find out how to declare compliance. Or get in touch with your local Distribution Network Operator (DNO) for any additional support.
If you find that you need to make a change, you may need some technical support. Contractors can help you update your equipment so that it is compliant with the Distribution Code.
Each DNO has a list of contractors who are recognised as being competent to complete the works – you can find this information on the DNO’s respective websites. The Energy Networks Association (ENA) also has a directory of self-declared competent contractors that you can access here.
What if your equipment is already compliant?
If you know your generation equipment is already compliant, or you find that it is compliant while completing the checks, you must declare this so that it is registered correctly. You can declare your compliance status either with your local Distribution Network Operator (DNO) or via this portal on the ENA website.
Generators must be compliant by 1 September 2022. This means that you must submit all compliance declarations and evidence by midnight on 31 August 2022.
Remember, this is not optional. Even if you have not directly heard anything from your DNO you may still need to act.
What if you are not compliant by the deadline?
Non-compliant generators pose an inherent risk to Great Britain’s power supply and so generators that are not compliant from 1 September 2022 will be subject to an enforcement process that could result in the de-energisation of your site. But you still have time to check your system, futureproof your power and ensure compliance.