DNO Application Timelines in 2026: What to Actually Expect
How long G98, G99 and G100 applications take with each UK DNO in 2026, and what predicts a fast versus slow application.
DNO turnaround in 2026 (typical, by region)
| DNO | G98 (28-day) | G99 sub-50kVA | G99 50-250kVA | G99 250kVA-1MVA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NGED (formerly Western Power Distribution) | 28 days fast-track | 6-8 weeks | 8-12 weeks | 12-16 weeks |
| NGED (South West) | 28 days fast-track | 8-12 weeks | 10-16 weeks | 14-22 weeks |
| Northern Powergrid | 28 days fast-track | 6-10 weeks | 8-14 weeks | 14-20 weeks |
| UK Power Networks (E&SE) | 28 days fast-track | 10-16 weeks | 16-26 weeks | 26-52 weeks |
| Electricity North West | 28 days fast-track | 6-10 weeks | 10-14 weeks | 14-22 weeks |
| Scottish Power Energy Networks | 28 days fast-track | 10-14 weeks | 14-22 weeks | 22-32 weeks |
What predicts a fast application
- Modern industrial estates with dedicated infrastructure (iPort, Pride Park, i54, Cambridge Science Park) — designed with G99 headroom
- Rural sites with under-used 11kV feeders — most of rural Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire still has capacity
- Sub-50kVA applications on any network — almost always fast-track
- G100 export-limited designs — DNO has no objection because nothing exports beyond import capacity
What predicts a slow application
- UK Power Networks territory — South East England congestion is the worst in the UK in 2026
- M4 data centre corridor — practically full
- Above 1MVA with no reinforcement contribution offered
- Voltage-constrained rural feeders at end of long lines
How KMM speeds it up
We submit DNO applications week 1 of every project, in parallel with planning and design work — not at the end. We also know which contacts at each DNO accelerate review (most have informal "fast-lane" engineers who handle clean applications). For complex projects we engage the DNO at pre-application stage to flag the project before paperwork arrives. Our grid connection consultancy runs these applications for every KMM project.
Get your DNO application started
We prepare and submit G98, G99 and G100 applications as part of every KMM project.
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Fully Funded Survey → Call 0115 647 3822Connection timelines are also being reshaped by the national queue reform, and this explainer on DNO grid connection delays in 2026 covers how Gate 2 affects commercial solar projects.
