Get your quote and get connected

Once we've received your completed application form, we can been designing your connection.. Here are the next steps in the process:

We design your connection and issue a quotation

Once we receive your completed application and supporting information, we can begin to design a new connection for your site. Please note that incomplete information will delay the processing of your quotation. During the design phase we will contact you to discuss any specific requirements and carry out a detailed site survey prior to providing a quotation.

Your quotation will be based on the information you give us using the charging principles as outlined in our approved statement of charges [971kB PDF].

You should receive your quotation letter within 3 weeks, depending on the scale of the work required and providing we have all the relevant information. The quotation will include details of costs, information on the connection process, specifications for ducts, trenches, swithcgear and meter boards you will need, plus our terms and conditions. The quotation is valid for 90 days.

You accept the quote and make payment

Your job will be progressed when you accept the terms of the quotation and make any necessary payment as detailed in your quotation letter. We can then begin to seek any necessary legalities and permissions for the work to go ahead.
If your connection needs a cable trench opened or excavated on a third party’s land you and the relevant landowner will have to complete the indemnity form which is included with your quotation letter.
If the job requires the installation of a new substation, a drawing of the proposed substation site has to be provided, as we will have to seek a lease from the landowner.
Quick acceptance of terms is strongly recommended so we can start the process as soon as possible to help meet any completion date you may have.
The 'new housing developments terms and conditions' under which supplies of electricity are provided to your development will be included in your quotation letter. This must be signed and returned along with your acceptance.

We connect your development to the NIE network

We first need to build the line or lay our cable and build the substation before any individual connection can be made and providing all legalities and permissions have granted. We will contact you to agree a date to begin this construction work.

This allows you to plan for any excavation of cable trenches which should only be left open for the shortest time. Our timescale for starting construction work are normally between 2 to 8 weeks.

Individual premises get connected

For houses and apartments

Before an individual premises is energised you must provide a completed connection card for each house. This card certifies that the electrical work within the premises complies with the current appropriate electricity standards regulations. It should be completed and signed by your electrical contractor. A connection card is included with your letter of quotation and has your unique job reference number. Please keep it handy for when you need to submit it.
Your home owner or business will need to choose an electricity supplier who will bill them for their energy usage. NIE is a network company so does not provide this service. For independent information on choosing an electricity supplier, contact the Utility Regulator or the Consumer Council.
You need to make full or final payment and written acceptance of our terms.
The selected electricity supplier has to send us a market message. When we receive this message we can make arrangements to install a meter, make the final connection and get your building energised.

For business developments

Before we can connnect your development, you will need to:

Submit a completed connections card - before a unit is energised and for every individual unit you must provide a completed connection card for each unit. This card certifies that the electrical work within the premises complies with the current appropriate electricity standards regulations. It should be completed and signed by your electrical contractor. Connection cards are included with your letter of quotation and has your unique job reference number. Please keep it handy for when you need to submit it.
Select an electricity supplier - you will need to choose an electricity supplier who you will pay your electricity bills to. NIE is a network company so does not provide this service. For independent information on choosing an electricity supplier the Utility Regulator or the Consumer Council should offer some advice. Your selected supplier has to send NIE a market message. When we receive this message we can make arrangements to install a meter and get the unit energised.
Provide payment in full - you will need to make full or final payment with written acceptance of our terms. We will then issue you with a Meter Point Reference Number (MPRN).

Find out more about how to apply for a connection.