UKPN Farm Solar Grid Connection Guide 2026: G98, G99 & Timelines

If your farm sits in London, Essex, Kent, East Sussex, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk or Suffolk, your solar connection is managed by UK Power Networks (UKPN). UKPN is the largest Distribution Network Operator in the UK by customer count, and in 2025-2026 it has become one of the most constrained networks for new distributed generation. Getting your connection right from the first application saves months on the queue.

G98 vs G99 - Which applies to your farm?

Every grid-tied solar system in Great Britain falls under one of two engineering recommendations. G98 covers single-phase installations up to 16A per phase, typically under 3.68kW. Every commercial farm solar system crosses this threshold immediately, which means your installation is a G99 application - requiring formal DNO approval before you can energise the system.

For farm systems under 50kW on a three-phase supply, UKPN’s G99 Fast Track typically delivers connection within 4-10 weeks. Above 50kW, expect a full network study and 12-20 weeks of queue time in 2026, with longer timescales in rural parts of Essex and Kent.

UKPN constraint hotspots for farm solar

• North Kent coast - limited headroom around the Hoo Peninsula and Thanet, with deep 11kV reinforcement sometimes required above 200kW.

• Rural Essex - high density of existing renewables has saturated several 33/11kV substations. ANM (Active Network Management) offers are increasingly common.

• East Anglia - the combination of solar farms and anaerobic digestion has created export constraints around Thetford and West Suffolk.

• South East London Green Belt - limited rural 11kV capacity despite proximity to urban demand.

What a G99 application costs in 2026

UKPN application fees are standardised by system size: around £200-£500 for fast-track sub-50kW systems, and £1,500-£5,000 for full network studies on systems 50-500kW. Reinforcement costs - if required - are separate and can range from zero (if the network has headroom) to £80,000+ for substation upgrades.

Our recommendation: always request a budget-only Minimum Cost Scheme quote before you commit. UKPN issues these within 30 working days and they reveal whether your site will need reinforcement long before you sign contracts.

How long does a UKPN farm connection take?

Typical 2026 timelines once a quote is accepted:

• Sub-50kW G99 Fast Track: 4-10 weeks from accepted quote to Commissioning Notification

• 50-250kW standard G99: 12-20 weeks

• 250kW-1MW with no reinforcement: 16-30 weeks

• 250kW-1MW with reinforcement: 40-80 weeks including civils

We submit and manage the full G99 pack on every UKPN project we deliver - including the ENA EREC G99 Form A1-2, manufacturer type-test certificates, protection settings and commissioning notification. If your installer expects you to handle the DNO paperwork yourself, that is a red flag.

For farms outside the UKPN area, see our companion guides on Northern Powergrid, NGED and SP Energy Networks.

Ready to get a quote for your farm? Request a free feasibility study →