faq

What types of agreements does National Grid provide to customers?

National Grid offers a variety of agreements that are dependant upon the type of connection & geographical location where the user is applying for. In order for a customer to contractually sign a bilateral agreement with National Grid, the customer must be a Connection Use of System Code (CUSC) party, all customers are therefore asked to sign the following agreement :-

CUSC Accession Agreement
Any party wishing to enter into a bilateral agreement with National Grid must adhere to the CUSC. The CUSC accession agreement is the legally binding contract that signs a company up to National Grid’s licensed based code. This agreement only needs to be signed once by a registered company.

 If a user is applying for a connection directly to the Transmission system, then they will be offered the following agreement:-

Bilateral Connection Agreement (BCA)
The BCA defines the terms of the arrangements for connection to the GB Transmission System. This agreement will be offered to customers who are directly connected to the GB Transmission System. This therefore will apply to directly connected generators / demand sites & Distribution Network operators that have a connection to the GB Transmission system. The agreement also sets out provisions for any Balancing Services.

If a customer is looking for a connection in a Distribution Network Operator’s system (embedded) then they will have the choice of the following agreements with National Grid:-

Bilateral Embedded Generation Agreement (BEGA)
This agreement sets out the terms and conditions for use of the GB Transmission System. This agreement will be given to customers who have requested access to the GB Transmission System, but who are not directly connected to the system. This type of agreement is therefore applicable to distribution connected generators who wish to export onto the transmission system. The agreement also sets out provisions for any Balancing Services.

Bilateral Embedded Licence Exemptable Large Power Station Agreement (BELLA)
The BELLA agreement is offered to customers who are categorised as a large licence exemptable power station in Scotland. The power station must also be embedded in a Distribution Network Operator’s system. This agreement is not available for customers wishing to make a connection in England & Wales.

The BELLA Agreement sets out the provisions for generators to comply with the CUSC and Grid Code. This agreement does not commit users to adhere to the BSC as a BELLA will not have a registered Balancing Mechanism unit.

If works are needed to facilitate a customer’s connection, then they will be offered the following agreement:-

Construction Agreement
The Construction Agreement sets out the provisions for construction or modification of a direct connection to the GB Transmission system or to facilitate the connection of embedded generation. The Construction Agreement will primarily set out the responsibilities of each party and the timescales and key milestones in which each party are required to complete each of their areas of work. Furthermore the construction agreement provides the necessary financial security that a party must provide to secure against the cost of the appropriate works.