Overview
The maximum amount of power a property can draw from our network at any one time is known as its Maximum Import Capacity (MIC). MIC is measured in kiloVolt-Amps (kVA). In certain circumstances, customers may want to reduce their MIC because they are using less electricity than the maximum allowed. Doing so allows some customers to save money.
If you would like to reduce your capacity, please email us at connection.agreements@ukpowernetworks.co.uk.
In your email, please include your MPAN (Meter Point Administration Number), your site address and your name. If you are not the bill payer, your email should also include a letter of authority signed and dated by our customer within the last 12 months.
To learn more, please read our frequently asked questions below. For background, please also view the National Terms of Connection.
Frequently asked questions
Maximum Import Capacity (MIC) is the maximum capacity that you can import from our electricity network at any one time. It is measured in kiloVolt- Amps (kVA). You may also see it referred to as Available Supply Capacity (ASC) or Maximum Power Requirement (MPR).
The maximum capacity that you can export to our electricity network is known as Maximum Export Capacity (MEC). We treat MEC and MIC the same way in our connection agreements.
The MEC/MIC is first agreed with us at the time of connection and might be varied after that.
Capacity charges are an element of the fees we levy on your electricity supplier (the company you pay your bills to) if you are one of our larger customers. These fees are known as the Distribution Use of System (DUoS) charge. You may see these charges reflected in your electricity bill as simply 'DUoS'. We charge these fees for delivering your electricity through the networks we own and operate.
Customers may wish to reduce their MIC because they are paying a higher capacity charge than the actual amount of energy they are using. This generally happens when customers' circumstances change.
For further information on our charges, you can check the following page: UK Power Networks - Distribution Use of System charges
Reducing your MIC is free. It is a contractual arrangement and doesn't require any physical works.
However, please be aware that once you have reduce your power we will release capacity back into our network. It is then available for others to use and may not be there for you in the future. You may have to pay to have extra capacity provided again.
The MIC should be set based on a long-term view of the amount of power you will need. The maximum amount of power you draw from the network at any one time - your maximum demand (MD) - should not exceed your agreed MIC.
If you're unsure, we will be able to help assess whether there is scope to reduce your capacity level by looking at your previous meter readings.
If you would like to decrease your MIC, please email connection.agreements@ukpowernetworks.co.uk. In your email, please include your MPAN (Meter Point Administration Number), your site address and your name. If you are not the bill payer, your email should also include a letter of authority signed and dated by our customer within the last 12 months.
Once we've received your email, our team will get in touch with you to discuss your circumstances.
Once we've agreed a new MIC with you, we will issue a new connection agreement. This needs to be signed by the customer, or an authorised person giving evidence of the customer's authority, then returned to us to be countersigned. Once countersigned, we will update our records and return a completed copy to you.
There may be some lead time as to when you will be able to see any changes in MIC shown in your electricity bills. This process is down to your electricity supplier.
Please note your capacity level can be only be changed once within a 12 month period. Capacity reductions are effective from the first of the following month once a request specifying an acceptable value has been made.
We are not able to backdate any capacity reductions.