Electricity in the UK is generated by a number of different companies and transmitted at high voltage around the country by the National Grid Company.
United Utilities operates the local electricity distribution network in the north west of England, on behalf of Electricity North West. Between 1990 and 1998, the electricity supply market was opened up to full competition. Since October 2001, and the introduction of the Utility Act 2000, a distribution company can no longer hold a licence to both supply and distribute electricity. Separate distribution and supply licences must be held by a group where it wishes to both distribute and supply electricity.
Electricity North West does not hold a supply licence, but distributes electricity to customers' homes on behalf of the supply companies through Use of System Agreements that suppliers have with Electricity North West to use our distribution network. We charge supply companies for using our distribution network based on rates set by the industry regulator, Ofgem.
Customers receive their electricity bill from supply companies such as Powergen and British Gas who pay Electricity North West for use of the electricity distribution network. United Utilities manage and operate 60,000km of overhead lines and underground cables, and 32,000 substations cover 12,000 square kilometres in the north west of England. Together we keep the lights shining round the clock for 2.2 million homes.
Both underground cables and overhead lines are utilised to distribute electricity. Underground cables supply dense urban areas, a mix of underground cables and overhead lines is used typically for smaller towns and semi-urban areas whereas rural areas are predominantly supplied by overhead lines.
Our network covers a diverse range of terrain and customer mix from isolated farms in Cumbria to areas of heavy industry and dense urban population in Manchester. Despite the large areas of countryside within the north west of England, approximately 75% of the network is underground.
Electricity North West is required to publish a variety of statements describing its services and costs. These are as follows:
- LC13 Use of System Charging Methodology Statement
- LC14 Use of System Charging Statement
- Combined LC13 & 14 Connection Charging Methodology and Connection Charging Statement
- LC8 Safety and Security of Supplies Enquiry Service Statement
- Code of Practice for People with Disabilities
- Code of Practice on Complaint Handling
- LC36 Legacy Basic Meter Asset Provision and Data Services Statement