What is a DNO application?
A DNO application is a formal notification or approval request submitted to the Distribution Network Operator, the licensed company that owns the local electricity cables between the National Grid and every home and business. Before you can connect solar panels, a battery, an EV charger, or a heat pump to the grid, the DNO needs to know about it. For larger systems, they also need to approve the connection before install.
There are two routes: G98 notifications for smaller installations (up to 3.68 kW per phase, so 16 A single-phase or 48 A three-phase) and G99 applications for anything above that. Getting the right route on the first submission is the single biggest predictor of how fast the whole process moves.
DNO applications by region
Your DNO is decided by the postcode of the installation. Pick yours below for typical turnaround times, portal quirks, and tips specific to that operator.
UK Power Networks
London · East of England · South East England
National Grid Electricity Distribution
West Midlands · East Midlands · South West England · South Wales
Scottish & Southern Electricity Networks
Central Southern England · North of Scotland
SP Energy Networks
Central & Southern Scotland · Merseyside, Cheshire, North Wales & Shropshire
Electricity North West
Greater Manchester · Lancashire · Cumbria
Northern Powergrid
North East England · Yorkshire
DNO applications by technology
Solar PV applications
G98 and G99 for domestic and commercial solar, from a 4 kW rooftop to multi-MW ground-mount.
Solar & G99Battery storage applications
Standalone batteries, hybrid solar-plus-storage, and utility-scale BESS. G99 with G100 export limitation where needed.
Battery storageEV charger applications
Domestic Connect & Notify, commercial 22 kW+ installs, forecourts, fleet depots and public charging hubs.
EV chargersHeat pump applications
ASHP and GSHP notifications, single-phase to three-phase supply upgrades where load exceeds the fuse rating.
Heat pumpsG98 or G99: which one applies?
G98 notification
- Up to 3.68 kW per phase (16 A single-phase / 48 A three-phase)
- Submitted after commissioning. You can install first
- Typical turnaround: 1 to 5 working days
- From £50+VAT with us
G99 application
- Above 3.68 kW per phase. Most commercial installs
- Must be approved before install
- Typical turnaround: 4 to 12 weeks by DNO
- From £125+VAT with us
Not sure which route applies? Our G98 vs G99 guide walks through the decision in plain English.
How a DNO application actually runs
Send us the details
Postcode, MPAN, equipment list and any existing generation. Takes 3 minutes in your portal.
Engineer prepares the pack
SLD drawn, LOA generated, per-phase output calculated, right form (G98 vs G99) selected.
Submitted to the DNO
We submit under our own engineering credentials through the DNO's portal. You never see a UKPN or NGED login.
We chase, you get updates
5-working-day chase cadence. Every DNO reply lands in your portal with a real-time notification.
Approval + commissioning
Approval PDF and G100 certificate delivered to your portal. G99 commissioning submissions handled after install.
Why DNO applications get rejected
Every rejection adds days or weeks. These are the five most common causes we see across every DNO, and they're all preventable.
- Wrong form (G98 submitted when G99 is required, or vice versa)
- Per-phase output miscalculated on three-phase systems
- SLD missing key equipment or drawn to the wrong standard
- Letter of Authority not matching the MPAN account holder
- Battery listed without G100 export limitation details
Real DNO engineers
Every application reviewed by a UK-based engineer before submission. No offshore call centre, no template packs.
Real-time portal
Every DNO reply, document, and status change lands in your portal instantly. No email chains.
No DNO logins
We submit under our own credentials with every UK DNO. You never need a UKPN, NGED or SSEN portal account.
DNO application FAQs
What is a DNO application?
A DNO application is a formal notification or approval request submitted to the Distribution Network Operator that owns the local electricity network. It's required before connecting generation (solar, wind, batteries) or high-demand equipment (EV chargers, heat pumps) to the grid. Small installations use a G98 notification (after commissioning); larger installations need a G99 application (before installation).
Do I need a DNO application for solar panels?
Yes. Every grid-connected solar installation in the UK needs either a G98 notification (up to 3.68 kW per phase) or a G99 application (above that threshold). It's a legal requirement under the Distribution Code and Engineering Recommendations.
How long does a DNO application take?
G98 notifications are typically 1 to 5 working days depending on the DNO. G99 applications range from 4 to 12 weeks, driven by system size, network constraints, and how responsive the DNO is. Northern Powergrid is currently the slowest DNO in our experience; UKPN and ENW are among the fastest.
Which DNO covers my project?
Your DNO is determined by the geographic location of the installation. You can't choose. Use our DNO coverage map or per-region pages to identify the licensed operator for your postcode.
Can I submit a DNO application myself?
Yes, technically. But every DNO has different portals, forms, and quirks. One incorrectly named document or a wrong-phase declaration is enough to bounce a submission back and add weeks. Most installers outsource DNO applications to us so their team stays on tools.
What does it cost?
G98 notifications from £50+VAT. G99 applications from £125+VAT. DNO fees themselves (application fees, chargeable connection offers) are separate and vary by project. We forward those at cost with no markup.