Interruptible/Firm Allowance (IFA)

Interruptible/Firm Allowance (IFA)

Description

This chargeable service allows an interruptible supply point to continue to take a specified maximum daily quantity of gas up to 14,650 kWh (500 therms) per day. Requests are dealt with on a first come first served basis and will be offered subject to availability based on an aggregate daily maximum.

Daily quantities up to 30% of the supply point capacity (also known as SOQ) will be accommodated under this service, although each site will be limited to 14,650 kWh (500 therms) per day initially. Any additional amount s requested will then be analysed to assess if capacity is available to accommodate and on this basis the request will be agreed or rejected.

Possible uses of this service would be to maintain essential processes or to provide ancillary services such as canteens, water heating or localised space heating.

Provided that the capacity was available, the following conditions would need to be satisfied to enable a site to be accepted as an Interruptible Firm Allowance (IFA) customer:

  • The meter or meters making up the interruptible supply point must use more than
    5,860,000 kWh (200,000 therms) per annum.
  • The site must have equipment for daily metering or be upgraded with the appropriate equipment.
    The site must be able to cope during periods of interruption. At this time the interruptible part of the load will not be allowed to flow gas above the firm allowance.
  • This service is not available to a Shared Supply Meter Point with a firm allocation.

Benefits

  • By taking an IFA supply the site will retain the benefit of interruptible transportation charges on the majority of the load.
  • Enables an agreed proportion of the site load to burn during an interruption period, without incurring a failure to interrupt charge.
  • Allows the gas consumer to be in control of a proportion of their capacity requirements

Service Request Details

For gas consumers to progress an IFA request further, please provide the following information to your gas shipper/supplier who will instigate the process with the transporter.

  • Site Contact  
  • Company Name   
  • Site Address  
  • Postcode   
  • Meter Point Reference Numbers   
  • Annual Consumption (AQ)  in kWh
  • Supply Point Capacity
    (SOQ - max daily quantity) in kWh
  • Firm Capacity required per day
    i.e. 14,650 kWh (500 therms per day)  in kWh

A Gas Shipper should complete the application from P80 (see Forms) and sumit to National Grid as detailed below.

For DN Site - Fax 01455 232856

For NTS Site - Fax 01926 498506