What is a DNO? For many UK businesses, energy bills are often viewed purely through the lens of suppliers and wholesale prices. However, a key part of the electricity system is the Distribution Network Operator (DNO) . Understanding the role of a DNO can help businesses better manage costs, improve efficiency, and avoid unnecessary charges. What does a DNO do? A DNO is responsible for owning, operating, and maintaining the local electricity distribution network . This is the infrastructure that delivers power from the national grid to homes and businesses. Unlike energy suppliers, DNOs do not sell electricity. Instead, they ensure that electricity is delivered safely and reliably to your site. If there is a power cut or a fault with the local network, it is the DNO -- not your supplier -- that resolves the issue. Why do DNOs exist? The UK electricity network is divided into regions, each managed by a licensed DNO. This structure exists to ensure the network is operated efficiently and maintained to a high standard, while avoiding duplication of infrastructure. DNOs are regulated by Ofgem, which sets the framework for how they operate and how much they can charge for using their networks. These charges ultimately form part of your electricity invoice through network costs . TCR banding and kVA capacity In recent years, DNO-related charges have become more visible to businesses due to the Targeted Charging Review (TCR) . This reform changed how certain network costs are recovered, moving away from usage-based charges to fixed charges based on a site’s capacity or agreed supply level. For many non-half-hourly (NHH) customers, this means being placed into TCR bands , which determine the level of fixed network charges applied. For half-hourly (HH) customers, charges are often linked more directly to their agreed kVA capacity . Your kVA capacity represents the maximum electrical load your site is allowed to draw from the network. If this is set too high, you may be overpaying in capacity charges. If it is too low, you risk exceeding your limit and incurring penalties or operational issues. Reviewing both TCR banding and kVA capacity is therefore an important step in ensuring your energy costs are optimised. DNO regions Each DNO operates within a defined geographic area. The main DNOs in Great Britain include: UK Power Networks (London, South East, East of England) National Grid Electricity Distribution (Midlands, South West, South Wales) Northern Powergrid (North East, Yorkshire) Electricity North West (North West England) SP Energy Networks (Central & Southern Scotland, Merseyside, North Wales) Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (Northern Scotland, Central Southern England) Your DNO is determined by your location and cannot be changed, unlike your energy supplier. When should you contact your DNO? There are several situations where it may be necessary to engage with your DNO directly, including: Power outages or network faults New connections or site developments Increasing or reducing your site’s capacity (kVA) Metering or infrastructure changes impacting supply For most day-to-day queries, your energy supplier will act as your first point of contact, but more technical or infrastructure-related requests will involve the DNO. How we can help Understanding the role of the DNO -- and how charges like TCR banding and capacity impact your bills -- can unlock significant cost-saving opportunities. At SeeMore Energy, we help businesses review their energy setup in detail, identifying areas where network charges may be reduced and ensuring your contract and capacity are aligned with your actual usage.  Contact us today for a free energy review , and let us help you take control of your energy costs.

What do I need to do when switching energy supplier? Switching energy supplier is a common step for UK businesses looking to control costs and improve their energy arrangements. Understanding the process can help ensure the transition is smooth and avoids any disruption. While the switching process itself is usually straightforward, there are several important steps businesses should take to make sure everything runs efficiently. 1. Check your current contract The first step before switching supplier is to review your existing energy contract. Most business energy contracts are fixed-term agreements, and leaving before the end date may trigger termination fees or penalties. Businesses should check the contract end date, notice period, and any specific termination clauses. Many contracts require notice to be given before the end of the agreement. If notice is not provided within the required timeframe, the contract may automatically roll over or move onto higher out-of-contract rates . Understanding these details early will help you avoid unnecessary costs and ensure you can switch at the correct time. 2. Compare suppliers and contract options Once you know when you are able to switch, the next step is to review available options in the market. Different suppliers offer a variety of contract structures and pricing models, and it’s important to choose one that suits your business’s needs. When comparing suppliers , businesses should look beyond the headline price and consider other factors such as reliability, billing arrangements, customer support, and flexibility. For organisations with multiple sites, it may also be useful to check whether suppliers can align billing dates or provide consolidated invoices. While this process can be time-consuming for many businesses, we offer a free market review, where we obtain quotes on behalf of your business and assist with comparing the available options. 3. Confirm meter details and site information Before a switch can take place, suppliers will typically need accurate information about the site and energy meters. This includes the MPAN (for electricity) or MPRN (for gas), the business address, and details of current consumption. Providing accurate information helps suppliers produce more reliable quotations and ensures the switching process is completed correctly. If a business has multiple locations, it may also be worth reviewing whether all sites should be included in the same contract portfolio. 4. Agree the contract and switching date Once a supplier has been selected, the next step is to formally agree the new contract. The supplier will confirm the start date for the new supply, which typically begins immediately after the current contract ends. In most cases, the switching process happens automatically behind the scenes. The new supplier will coordinate with industry systems and the existing supplier to transfer the supply on the agreed date. Importantly, the physical supply of electricity or gas does not change when you switch supplier. The same infrastructure and network operators continue to deliver energy to the site, meaning there is no interruption to supply. 5. Submit final meter readings Around the time the new contract begins, businesses may be asked to provide a meter reading . This allows the previous supplier to produce an accurate final bill and ensures the new supplier begins billing from the correct usage level. Keeping a record of these readings can help resolve any potential billing queries later on. Plan ahead for future renewals Switching supplier is also a good opportunity for businesses to review their longer-term energy strategy. Monitoring contract end dates and market conditions can help businesses avoid expensive out-of-contract rates and ensure they continue to secure competitive pricing in the future. If your business requires assistance with any stage of switching supplier, contact us today for no-obligation advice from an experienced team of energy professionals.