Electricity North West
Electricity North West is the electricity distribution network operator (DNO) for the North West of England.
Contact Phone Numbers and Email
General enquiries
Call – 0800 195 4141
Email – [email protected]
Power cuts
Call 105, lines are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week
New connections
Email – [email protected]
Complaints
Call – 0800 195 4141
Email – [email protected]
Address
Electricity North West
304 Bridgewater Place
Birchwood Park
Warrington
WA3 6XG
Website: https://www.enwl.co.uk/
Check If Electricity North West is Your Distribution Operator
You can check if Electricity North West is your distribution network operator on the Energy Networks Association website.
What Does Electricity North West Do?
Electricity North West is one of 14 distribution network operators across the UK and they are responsible for the electricity distribution network in the North West of England. Their geographical area of responsibility covers the north west of England from the Scottish border to the bottom of Manchester region.
Electricity North West is responsible for:
- The maintenance and upgrading of 13,000 km of overhead power lines
- The maintenance and upgrading of 44,000 km of underground power lines
- Maintenance of the sub-stations and transformers within their network
- Reducing the voltage of the National Grid electricity to a useable voltage
- Returning excess electricity to the National Grid
- Supplying all homes and businesses with electricity within their network
- Responding to power cuts
- Repairing damaged or faulty lines and equipment
- Dealing with any health and safety issues on the distribution network
- Connecting new homes and businesses to the electricity network
- Connecting small electricity generators to the electricity network
- Relocating electricity cables
Electricity North West is not responsible for the National Grid but does connect to it to obtain electricity to serve its customers.
Electricity North West is also not responsible for the retail of electricity they just provide the network that the electricity is distributed on and it is the electricity supplier who sells the electricity to you.
History of Electricity North West
The electricity industry prior to 1948 in the North West was made up of 73 separate companies but as a result of the Electricity Act 1947, these companies were nationalised and merged into the North West Electricity Board (Norweb).
In 1990, the energy industry in the UK was privatised and each of the area electricity boards was sold by the government to private companies. North West Water initial purchased and managed Norweb.
In 1995, Norweb was purchased by United Utilities who later split the business into two operating entities, one for electricity supply, and the other for the distribution of electricity.
In 2007, Electricity North West purchased the electricity distribution network from United Utilities.
In 2015, Electricity North West was recognised as the most efficient distribution network operator in the UK.
What to Do in the Event of a Power Cut
If you experience a power cut you should call 105 to report it, these lines are open 24 hours a day seven days a week.
You can check if a power cut has already been reported and track the progress on the Electricity North West website or follow them on Twitter/X @ElectricityNW.
Can I Move My Meter?
If you want to move your electricity meter more than one meter from its existing location or it affects the position of your electricity service provision then you will need to contact Electricity North West’s connection team and complete a service alteration form.
Your electricity meter will need to be moved by the energy company but the external electricity supply will be moved by Electricity North West. You may also need an electrician to connect the relocated meter with your electricity consumer unit.
Other Services Electricity North West Offer
Electricity North West offers a range of energy-related services including:
- Safety advise and incident reporting
- BeforeUDig service that allows you access to the electricity network plans online so you can check for underground electricity cables
- Energy saving advice
- Flood advice
- Reporting electricity theft
- Metering point administration service to find out who your electricity supplier is
Priority Services Register
Both the Distribution Network Operators and the energy suppliers maintain a Priority Services Register for tracking vulnerable customers who may need additional support. This register is used by Electricity North West when a power cut occurs to provide additional support if needed to these priority customers who are affected by a power cut.
Complaints
If you need to make a complaint to Electricity North West contact:
- Call – 0800 195 4141
- Email – [email protected]
- Write – Electricity North West, 304 Bridgewater Place, Birchwood Park, Warrington, WA3 6XG
They aim to resolve the complaint within 24 hours of receiving it and will allocate a case owner. If you are not happy with the way your complaint is being handled you can request that it is reviewed by a case supervisor and they will respond within 10 working days.
If you are not happy with the final outcome or the complaint has not been resolved within eight weeks you can escalate your complaint to the Energy Ombudsman.