National Grid Electricity Distribution

National Grid Electricity Distribution: network operator in the Midlands, South West and South Wales

National Grid Electricity Distribution is the regional electricity distribution division of National Grid. The company operates and maintains the distribution network covering the Midlands, South West England and South Wales, an infrastructure that includes overhead lines, underground cables and substations. Its role is to convert high voltage electricity to low voltage and deliver it to homes and businesses on behalf of energy suppliers, who are the ones that bill end users.

The company identifies itself as a Distribution Network Operator (DNO) and states that its network is the largest electricity distribution network in the UK across the East Midlands, West Midlands, South West and Wales regions, serving nearly eight million customers.

Services for domestic and commercial customers

The company's activity is organised around several services aimed at both individuals and businesses:

• Network supply and maintenance: operation of overhead lines, underground cables and substations to ensure a safe, stable and reliable supply.
• Power cut management: response to service interruptions and restoration of electricity as soon as possible.
• Network connections: connection of homes and commercial premises, electric vehicle charging points, heat pumps, solar or wind generation installations, generation devices and storage equipment.
• Modification or upgrading of equipment: moving or replacing equipment, changing capacity, replacing or upgrading fuses, installing isolation switches and disconnecting from the network.
• Finding your supplier: postcode search to identify which company supplies the electricity.
• Paying invoices: online service to pay utility bills.

Support for vulnerable groups

The company maintains the Priority Services Register (PSR), a register that offers additional support during power cuts to elderly people, those who are seriously ill, disabled or who depend on medical equipment that runs on electricity. Being on this register guarantees that these households receive additional assistance and that their supply is restored as soon as possible. The company also provides information on fuel poverty and energy saving tips, and has a dedicated helpline for customers who need extra support.

Safety and prevention

National Grid Electricity Distribution publishes safety advice for working near overhead power lines and for checking the location of cables before carrying out excavations. The company states its commitment to a safe and stable supply and to minimising the environmental impact of its operations.

Community and environment

The company manages the Community Matters Fund, a fund aimed at projects that help keep homes warm during winter. It also provides information about its diversity, equity and inclusion plan and publishes a gender pay gap report for the period from April 2020 to April 2021. In the regulatory field, the company participates in Ofgem's RIIO-ED3 price control framework, scheduled to begin in April 2028.

Corporate structure

National Grid Electricity Distribution brings together several companies, including National Grid Electricity Distribution PLC, National Grid Electricity Distribution (East Midlands) Plc, National Grid Electricity Distribution (West Midlands) Plc, National Grid Electricity Distribution (South West) Plc, National Grid Electricity Distribution (South Wales) Plc, National Grid Helicopters Limited, National Grid Electricity Distribution Property Investments Limited and National Grid Telecoms Limited.