New business gas connections are required in new premises, refurbishments, or sites needing extra capacity, with the process usually taking a few weeks to several months to complete.
This guide explains everything involved in setting up a new business gas connection, from who carries out the work to costs, timeframes, and a checklist to prepare in advance.
Do you need a new business gas connection?
A new business gas connection is required when a premises has never been connected to the gas network, or when the existing connection can’t support the site’s requirements. This applies in the following situations:
- No existing connection: The premises has never had a gas supply from the local gas distribution network.
- Insufficient capacity: The existing connection isn’t large enough to support current demand, such as new commercial kitchen equipment or industrial machinery.
- Disconnected supply: An old gas connection was removed or disconnected and now needs reinstating.
A new connection is not needed when a business moves into a premises with a working connection and sufficient capacity. In this case, only a change of tenancy is necessary to update the registered gas supplier with details of the new occupier.
Who installs a new commercial gas connection?
A new commercial gas connection can involve several parties, each with a distinct role in getting the supply installed and running:
- Gas transporter (GT): Owns and operates the regional gas network and can build a connection through its own connections team.
- Independent gas transporter (IGT): Owns and operates smaller independent networks that extend the regional gas mains, typically for large new developments such as a housing development or business park.
- Utility infrastructure provider (UIP): An accredited independent contractor that builds the connection to the GT/IGT’s specification.
- Business gas supplier: Once the connection has been built and an MPRN assigned, the supplier provides the contract for the gas supply and arranges for the meter to be installed.
- Meter Asset Manager (MAM): Licensed meter operator that installs and maintains the physical gas meter, appointed by the chosen supplier rather than the business directly.
- Gas Safe engineer: Installs and connects internal pipework and appliances on the premises side. This gas work must be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
The table below shows the typical role each party plays across the main stages of the installation process.
● indicates responsibility; — indicates no direct responsibility.
What do you need for a new business gas connection?
Applying for a new business gas connection requires the following information:
- Business property details: The site address and details of the business applying for the connection.
- Site plans: Drawings showing the site layout and the proposed location for the connection.
- Hourly gas load: The peak rate of gas the site will need at any given time, which determines the size of the pipework required.
- Estimated usage: The expected annual gas consumption, used for supplier quoting and capacity planning.
- Required pressure: The operating pressure needed to run the site’s equipment.
- Proposed meter position: The preferred location for the meter, subject to confirmation by the gas transporter or connection provider based on access and safety requirements.
This information allows the gas transporter or connection provider to assess feasibility, prepare a quote, and plan the installation.
How to arrange a new business gas connection
Arranging a new business gas connection follows a sequence, from gathering site information through to the supply going live.
- Gather site information: Collect the property details, site plans, hourly gas load, estimated usage, required pressure, and proposed meter position needed for the application.
- Choose a connection provider: Request quotes from the regional gas transporter, independent connection providers covering the area, or an IGT for larger new developments.
- Submit the application: Provide the site information to the chosen provider, who will assess feasibility and confirm a quote and installation timeframe.
- Complete the installation: The gas transporter or UIP carries out the physical connection work, and a metering provider installs the meter once the connection is in place.
- Register with a gas supplier: Once the connection is live and an MPRN has been assigned, compare business energy suppliers and register with one to agree a gas tariff and start paying for your supply.
How much does a new commercial gas connection cost?
There’s no fixed price for a new commercial gas connection, since costs are calculated individually based on the specifics of each site. The following factors typically influence the final quote:
- Distance from the gas main: The further the site is from the nearest gas main, the more pipework is needed, increasing the cost.
- Excavation and reinstatement: Digging up and reinstating roads, pavements, or land to lay the new pipe adds to the overall cost, particularly on hard surfaces.
- Gas load and pressure: Higher gas loads or pressure requirements can mean larger pipework or additional equipment, raising the price.
- Network reinforcement: If the local network can’t support the new connection’s demand, upgrades to the existing infrastructure may be required.
- Traffic management: Works affecting roads or public access may require traffic control measures, adding to the cost.
- Land ownership and permissions: Connections crossing third-party land may involve wayleave agreements or additional permissions, which can extend costs and timescales.
How long does a new business gas connection take and what can delay it?
There’s no fixed timescale for a new business gas connection. Depending on the site, the full process can take from a few weeks to several months.
Here are the steps involved and roughly how long each one takes. An asterisk (*) marks the steps that typically cause the most delays:
What can delay a new business gas connection?
As signalled (*) in the table above, some stages are more prone to delay than others:
- Incomplete information: During the application step, missing or inaccurate details can send the application back for clarification, adding a few days to a week.
- Site complexity: During the technical assessment step, additional surveys can extend this stage by one to two weeks.
- Wayleaves and land agreements: During the permissions and site preparation step, negotiating agreements with multiple landowners can add several weeks to months.
- Excavation and highway works: During the network works step, permits and scheduling with local authorities can add one to a few weeks.
- Network reinforcement: Also during the network work step, upgrading local infrastructure to support demand can add many months to arranging the connection.
New commercial gas connection checklist
If you are the occupier of a property arranging for a new connection, use this checklist to make sure everything is in place before and during the application process.
- Confirm the site address and access arrangements: For the connection works to be scheduled.
- Prepare site plans: Showing the layout and proposed connection point.
- List gas-consuming equipment: To support the load and pressure calculations.
- Calculate the hourly gas load: Required to run the site’s equipment.
- Estimate annual gas usage: Used by business energy suppliers for quoting purposes.
- Confirm the required operating pressure: For the site’s equipment.
- Propose a meter position: Subject to confirmation by the provider.
- Request quotes: From the regional gas transporter and any independent connection providers.
- Check for wayleave or land permission requirements: If the connection crosses third-party land.
- Arrange a Gas Safe registered engineer: For internal pipework once the connection is live.
- Register with a gas supplier: Once the MPRN has been assigned.
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