Tom Melhuish 4 min read

Who operates the electricity distribution network?

Have you ever wondered how electricity moves power plants to homes and businesses across the country? You pay your business energy supplier each month to provide electricity, but how does it actually work? Well, that’s where the electricity distribution network comes into play.

We explore the electricity distribution network in detail and the purpose of distribution network operators.

What is an electricity distribution network?

An electricity distribution network is a high voltage transmission grid across England and Wales owned by The National Grid. They connect to the distribution network operators (DNOs) who deliver to homes and business properties through privately-owned power lines and underground cables.

What is a DNO?

A DNO stands for a distribution network operator. The distribution network operator is the company that operates and owns the infrastructure that connects the energy supply to your premises.

The distribution network operator can help you with a new business energy connection, meter queries and in the event of a power cut.

What are DNOs responsible for?

Distribution network operators are responsible for the following:

Sub-stations
Transformers
Cables – both underground and overhead
Moving the supply to the property meter
Connecting premises to the electricity network

However, they are not responsible for the following:

The National Grid
Generating and selling electricity
Interconnectors

DNOs should also not be confused with the role of business energy suppliers, who offer business energy tariffs to companies and perform billing and customer services.

Who operates the electricity distribution network?

There are eight distribution networks operated by six different companies. These power homes and commercial properties. Below is a list of the DNOs, and a table with each individual operator’s information.

A list of electricity distribution network operators

Here’s a list of the six different electricity distribution network operators:

Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks
Scottish Power Energy Networks
Electricity North West
Northern Powergrid
UK Power Networks
Western Power Distribution

The table below shows the coverage of each DNO:

Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) per region

This table shows the distribution network operators per region with their key details so you can identify your network operator and contact them with any queries or issues.

Area	Distributor ID	DNO	Phone number
North Scotland	17	Scottish & Southern Electricity Networks	0800 048 3515
Central & Southern Scotland	18	SP Energy Networks	0800 092 9290
North East England	15	Northern Powergrid	0800 011 3332
North West England	16	Electricity North West	0800 195 4141
Yorkshire	23	Northern Powergrid	0800 011 3332
Merseyside, Cheshire, North Wales & North Shropshire	13	SP Energy Networks	0800 001 5400
East Midlands, West Midlands, South Wales & South West England	11, 14, 21, 22	Western Power Distribution	0800 096 3080
Eastern England	10	UK Power Networks	0800 029 4285
Central Southern England	20	Scottish & Southern Electricity Networks	0800 048 3516
London & South East England	12, 19	UK Power Networks	0800 029 4285

The regional DNOs all have their own pricing depending on the cost of operating and maintaining the infrastructure in their region. This is the reason that commercial electricity rates vary by location.

What is an IDNO?

An IDNO is an independent distribution network operator; these companies develop local electricity distribution within the DNO network. The IDNOs will also operate and maintain these networks.

One clear difference between the two is that the independent distribution network operators are not bound to specific regions. They can offer their services across England and Wales with no restrictions.