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    Large customer electricity connections

    If you want to establish a large customer electricity connection, our dedicated teams can guide and assist you through the connection process.

    What is a large customer electricity connection? Large customer connections are typically high rise buildings and commercial or industrial sites, like shopping centres, exhibition centres, warehouses and mine sites.

    A large customer connection is defined in our Connection Policy (PDF 659.6 kb) as those connections that fall within the tariff classes of Connection Asset Customer (CAC) and Individually Calculated Customer (ICC), Generators or Integrated Resource Provider and real estate developments.

    Standard for large customer connections

    All connection applications are required to comply with our standard STNW3522 (PDF 1.5 mb) which applies to large customer connections. We encourage industry members involved in the connection of large customers to read the standard to understand the rules, your obligations and the benefits.

    For details about the connection process for a large customer connection, please refer to our Large Customer Connection Manual (PDF 593.7 kb).

    Applying for a load connection > 1 MVA

    This process covers load connections greater than 1 MVA and aligns with Chapter 5A of the National Electricity Rules (NER).

    These connection types are considered negotiated connections under our Connections Policy and do not qualify as basic connections, so expedited processing is not available.

    Below are the key stages in our negotiated connection process for load connections > 1 MVA.

    1. 1 Enquiry

      You must first submit a Connection Enquiry via our appropriate form.

      For high voltage load connections > 1 MVA please use our Large Customer Connection Enquiry Form (PDF 485.7 kb).  Alternatively, you can submit your connection enquiry online via Customer Self Service and follow the instructions.

      We will acknowledge your enquiry within 5 business days and advise if any pre-application services are required, including associated costs.

    2. 2 Preliminary enquiry information

      Our Customer Connections Preliminary Enquiry Information (PDF 290.9 kb) fact sheet provides information to support your connection application to our distribution system, in line with the requirements of Chapter 5A.D2(b).

    3. 3 Pre-application services

      As part of your Connection Application, you will need to submit certain information which may need to be obtained from us as a pre-application service that we offer on a quoted basis (Preliminary Connection Advice (PCA) and Detailed Connection Advice (DCA) services). We will notify you which services may be relevant to your connection as part of our enquiry response.

      Please refer to our Chapter 5A – Connection Enquiry Essentials (PDF 552.5 kb) fact sheet about the information required to be provided by you as part of the delivery of these services.

    4. 4 Connection application

      When you are ready to proceed, you or your consultant can submit an application via our Large Customer Connection Application Form (PDF 470.0 kb) or online via Customer Self Service and follow the instructions.

      “Ready” means you have:

      • Completed all required pre-application services
      • Provided all necessary documentation and information
      • Paid any associated costs

      Please refer to our Chapter 5A Connection Application Essentials (PDF 422.7 kb) fact sheet for more information about the information required by you as part of the application process.

      We will review your application for completeness. If complete, we will assess it to prepare a Connection Offer.

    5. 5 Connection offer

      Once your application is assessed, we will issue a Connection Offer.

      To proceed, you must accept the offer and pay any applicable fees before connection services commence.

      A Connection Offer typically includes:

      • A Network Connection Establishment Contract (NCEC); and
      • A Network Ongoing Connection Contract (NOCC) or amendment to an existing NOCC (if applicable)

      Exceptions:
      Real Estate Developments may not require an ongoing supply contract due to the nature of the development.

      Certain LV connections may be subject to a Deemed Standard Connection Contract (under the NERL and NERR) and a Negotiated Connection Contract.

    6. 6 Detailed design, construction and commissioning

      After the offer is accepted, we will coordinate the design, construction, and commissioning activities in line with the offer and applicable technical standards.

    Applying for a DER connection

    For connecting a large DER system, please refer to our following web pages:

    Customers wanting a Distributed Energy Resource (DER) system should design their connections for the technical requirements in accordance with our relevant standards: STNW1174 (PDF 2.0 mb), STNW1175 (PDF 2.3 mb) or the recently released STNW3511 (PDF 2.1 mb).

    Get in touch

    Do you have a specific question about large customer electricity connections? If so, please refer to our Large customer connections support web page.