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If you wish to apply to decrease capacity please complete our online form.
Maximum Import Capacity (MIC) is measured in kiloVolt-Amps (kVA) and states the maximum amount of power from our network a property can make use of at any one time.
If your power usage is less than this maximum level, you may wish to apply for a reduction in your MIC. For some customers, this might save some money.
By applying for a reduction in capacity, you can reduce your Maximum Import Capacity (MIC). This is also known as Available Supply Capacity (ASC) or Maximum Power Requirement (MPR) and measures the maximum amount of power a property can use from our network in kilo-Volt-Amps (kVA) at any one time.
If you use less than this maximum capacity, you can apply for this to be reduced which might save you money.
Maximum Export Capacity (MEC) refers to the maximum capacity you can export to the network. Both the MEC and MIC are agreed at the time of initial connection and may vary after that.
No, it does not cost to reduce your capacity. This is because reducing your capacity does not require any physical works - it is carried out by a contractual agreement.
It is important to note that you may have to pay if you want to increase your capacity in future. This is because once your capacity is reduced it is released back into our network and may be used by others.
Customers may benefit from reducing their capacity if their capacity charge is higher than the actual amount of energy they are using.
A capacity charge is part of the fees we levy on your electricity supplier, for delivering your electricity through our network. Your electricity supplier is the company you pay your bills to.
Capacity charges may be represented on your electricity bill as 'DUoS' (this stands for 'Distribution Use of System' charge).
You can find out more about ongoing charges for use of our system here.
Your maximum demand (MD) should not exceed your agreed capacity. MD refers to the amount of energy you draw from the network at any one time.
Therefore, its important that your reduced capacity is a value based on the amount of power you will need in the long-term.
We are here to help determine if there is scope for you to reduce your capacity. We can assess this by looking at your previous meter readings.
After you complete our online form, we will then be in touch to discuss your application.
Before you apply, you should note that your capacity can only be changed once per 12 month period. A capacity reduction will be effective from the first of the month following the agreement in reduction in capacity.
We are also not able to backdate any reductions in capacity.
We will issue a new connection agreement once we have agreed a new MIC with you. This agreement will need to be signed by the customer (or an authorised person who can give evidence of the customer's authority). We will then countersign the agreement, update our records and return a copy to you for your records.
Sometimes there can be a delay in the reduction in capacity being reflected on the electricity bill you recieve from your supplier.
This is the responsibility of your supplier to update.
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