Supplementary evidence from Ian Cameron, UK Power Networks (ELV0138)

Supplementary Evidence – Ian Cameron, Director of Customer Service and Innovation, UK Power Networks

Are there any other barriers or current policies or regulations that impact on the delivery of connections for chargepoint installation that weren’t covered in today’s session? What is the impact of the regulation in question?

Are there any areas or policy or legislation that UK Power Networks would like to see changed? What are they and what is the impact?

• Overhead line upgrade planning requirements
• Rural communities are often fed by 11,000 Volt wood pole overhead lines with two wires (considered single phase), in order to provide increased capacity to these communities, it requires DNOs to add a third wire on to these structures.
• Such works currently require full s37 (Planning) Consent under the Electricity Act 1989. The current Planning Consent process with the local planning authority (council) / DESNZ currently takes c9-12months to be approved.
• Our recommendation: For the scope of Exemption Regulations under the S37 1989 Electricity Act extended to include Phasing/Nominal Voltage within Exemption Regulations (Six Week Notice). This would provide a more proportionate, flexible and less challenging approach for minor changes to existing overhead power lines but maintain Local Planning Authority ability to refer applications (to a full s.37 Application) on an exception basis. This option will have no impact on Landowner Rights.

• Work in private streets
• Connection Customers seeking (new) cable connections for new properties or Low Carbon Technologies or to de-couple loop supplies in support of EV/Heat Pump can on occasions require a cable to be laid in Private Street/Shared Driveway.
• Schedule 4 of the Electricity Act 1989 requires DNO to secure a consent from Street Manager, but the request is frustrated by refusal or becomes monetised. Customers connection is unable to proceed, unless they proceed down tortious and costly legal route.
• Our recommendation: We propose Schedule 4 of the Electricity Act 1989 to be aligned with Schedule 3 of the Gas Act 1986 wording. This will allow a DNO to treat a Private Street as if it were a Public maintainable street in the specific scenario whereby a cable is installed for the sole purpose of supply electricity to a property fronting onto the private street.