Street Lighting Connections for Builders and Developers

Background

Individual street lighting columns, of course, do not have electricity meters. Electrical connections to such equipment falls into the category termed ‘UMS’ i.e. un-metered supplies. Electricity consumption is estimated based on the wattage of each actual lamp and the associated number of burning hours.

Like any metered electricity supply point, an electricity supplier needs to be formally nominated to each street light. Customers group their street lighting equipment so that a single electricity supply contract can be negotiated for the whole portfolio. A large local authority may have a portfolio consisting of tens of thousands of lighting points and their annual expenditure on electricity can amount to several thousands of pounds.

Local Authorities are naturally the largest operators of street lighting equipment and therefore have dedicated personnel to administer large databases of equipment and manage expenditure on electricity which includes negotiating and renewing electricity supply contracts with electricity suppliers.

Information for Developers & Builders

Ultimately, when roads are finally adopted, the local authority will incorporate the development’s street lighting equipment into their own portfolio and will take on the responsibility for purchasing electricity.

However, contrary to previously more relaxed arrangements, the local authority will not take on responsibility for electricity supplies until final adoption. This now means that builders and developers need to make their own electricity supply arrangements for the period covering the time from when their first live connection is required, until the point where the local authority agrees to finally adopt the equipment.

Connections to street lights will not be made until the local electricity distribution company are notified that a formal electricity contract is in place, confirming the appointment of an electricity supplier.

Builders and developers now have to arrange for formal electricity supply contracts, following the same procedures as local authorities. A local authorities’ electricity supply contract may cover 20,000 lamps over a 2-year period whereas a builders contract possibly includes as few as 2 or 3 lamps for only a 6-month period.

These types of electricity supply contracts are referred to as UMS contracts, and because the lamps are un-metered additional procedures have to be followed compared with usual metered supply contracts. The amount of administration required for such low value contracts can be considered excessive. Regardless of the number of lamps included, any organisation arranging such a supply contract has to get to grips with the following terminology and documentation:

A detailed inventory

the compilation of a schedule detailing each lamp and its associated operating regime.

A UMS certificate

authenticating the ‘EAC’ (Estimated Annual Consumption).

Meter Point Administration Number (MPAN)

although there is no actual meter, the inventory is allocated a unique number by the local Distribution Network Operator to enable electricity suppliers to raise formal electricity supply contracts and trade the electricity requirements.

Connection Agreement

a document issued by the local electricity distribution company for each separate development detailing the obligations of both parties relating to the electrical connections.

Electricity supply contract

a document between the customer and an electricity supplier, detailing the electricity charges and duration.

Why Consider Help from URS?

From a financial perspective, electricity supply contracts for street lighting can only be a low priority, however getting lamps connected once developments become occupied is definitely a high priority, and the issues described above become unavoidable.

Unless you’re fully familiar with these unique processes, and have the time to deal with all parties involved you may find it more cost-effective to allow URS to undertake this activity on your behalf, enabling you to concentrate on other more important aspects of the development.

Also, consider the value of the electricity consumed for say 3 streetlights for only 6 months, probably in the order of £20. Now consider the amount of profit for the electricity supplier, probably less than £2! Such supply contracts are hardly going to excite any electricity supplier and you may have difficulty in getting a supplier to show any interest whatsoever. Furthermore, there are only a handful of electricity suppliers active in this market, attempting to find one could take a while.

URS has formed an arrangement with a leading electricity supplier in this specialised market so that such contracts can be obtained quickly and will incorporate competitive rates, regardless of the number of lamps included.

The URS Package Includes:

• Liaison with your contractor nominated to erect and wire the columns and lamps
• Compilation of a detailed inventory of lamps and operating regimes
• Obtaining a UMS certificate & MPAN
• Obtaining an electricity supply contract from a leading electricity supplier
• *Payment of electricity supply charges
• Liason with the local Distribution Network Operator (DNO) to arrange connections
• Providing information to the local authority upon adoption to allow a smooth transfer of responsibility

*For an agreed period only. An estimated date for local authority adoption will be agreed in advance and electricity charges will cover up to this period only. Extensions to this period, if required, can be agreed.

Fees

Each development is dependent upon actual numbers of lamps and anticipated duration prior to adoption, and will therefore be priced accordingly.

What Next?

Contact URS for advice, information or to obtain a formal proposal for your particular requirements.