What is a Distribution Network Operator (DNO)?

A Distribution Network Operator (DNO) is a licensed company responsible for distributing electricity from the National Grid to homes, businesses, and industrial users. Unlike electricity suppliers, which bill consumers for their energy use, DNOs manage the physical infrastructure—power lines, transformers, and substations—that delivers electricity to customers.

The UK is divided into 14 geographical DNO regions, each managed by one of six main DNO groups.

Why Do DNOs Matter?

• Maintaining Infrastructure: Ensuring reliable electricity supply by maintaining and upgrading distribution networks.
• New Connections: Providing new grid connections for homes, businesses, and renewable energy projects.
• Power Outage Management: Responding to faults, storm damage, and planned maintenance outages.
• Grid Modernization: Supporting the transition to renewable energy and smart grids.

---

List of UK DNOs by Region

DNO Group	Licensed DNOs	Coverage Areas	Emergency Contact Number	Website	Social Media
Electricity North West Limited	Electricity North West Limited	North West England	0800 195 4141	www.enwl.co.uk	LinkedIn / Twitter (X)
Northern Powergrid	– Northern Powergrid (Northeast) Limited – Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc	– North East England – Yorkshire	0800 375 675	www.northernpowergrid.com	LinkedIn / Twitter (X) / Facebook
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN)	– Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution plc – Southern Electric Power Distribution plc	– North Scotland – Central Southern England	0800 072 7282	www.ssen.co.uk	LinkedIn / Twitter (X) / Facebook
SP Energy Networks	– SP Distribution Ltd – SP Manweb plc	– Central and Southern Scotland – North Wales, Merseyside, Cheshire, and North Shropshire	0800 092 9290	www.spenergynetworks.co.uk	LinkedIn / Twitter (X) / Facebook
UK Power Networks	– London Power Networks plc – Eastern Power Networks plc – South Eastern Power Networks plc	– London – East of England – South East England	0800 316 3105	www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk	LinkedIn / Twitter (X) / Facebook
National Grid Electricity Distribution (formerly Western Power Distribution)	– National Grid Electricity Distribution (East Midlands) plc – National Grid Electricity Distribution (West Midlands) plc – National Grid Electricity Distribution (South Wales) plc – National Grid Electricity Distribution (South West) plc	– East Midlands – West Midlands – South Wales – South West England	0800 6783 105	www.nationalgrid.co.uk/electricity-distribution	LinkedIn / Twitter (X) / Facebook

---

How to Find Your DNO

If you are unsure which DNO operates in your area, you can use the Energy Networks Association’s DNO lookup tool.

Alternatively, you can check your electricity bill, where the MPAN (Meter Point Administration Number) contains a unique code identifying your DNO.

---

Independent Distribution Network Operators (IDNOs)

In addition to the six main DNO groups, several Independent Distribution Network Operators (IDNOs) operate smaller private networks connected to the DNO infrastructure.

IDNO Name	Market Participant ID	Contact Number	Website
Eclipse Power Networks	GGEN	01234 486 487	eclipsepower.co.uk
Energy Assets Networks	UDNL	0845 260 1630	energyassetsnetworks.co.uk
ESP Electricity	LENG	01372 587 500	espug.com
Fulcrum Electricity Assets	FEAL	03330 146 466	fulcrum.co.uk
GTC	ETCL	01359 243 311	gtc-uk.co.uk
Harlaxton Energy Networks	HARL	0844 800 1813	harlaxtonenergynetworks.co.uk
Last Mile Electricity	GUCL	03300 587 452	lastmile-uk.com
Leep Electricity Networks	PENL	0333 005 0271	leeputilities.co.uk
Vattenfall Networks	VATT	0203 955 5140	idno.vattenfall.co.uk

For a full list of IDNOs, visit Ofgem’s Electricity Licensee List.

---

How to Contact Your DNO or IDNO

• Power Outages & Emergencies: Call 105, the national electricity helpline.
• New Connections & Upgrades: Visit your DNO or IDNO’s website for application details.
• Technical Support & Faults: Contact your operator’s customer service team.

---

Conclusion

DNOs and IDNOs play crucial roles in delivering electricity across the UK. Whether you’re looking for a new grid connection, reporting a power outage, or developing a renewable energy project, understanding your network operator is essential.

For the latest updates and technical information, visit the Energy Networks Association at www.energynetworks.org.