Third Party UIP / IGT Connections
Third Party Organisations wishing to lay gas infrastructure and transfer ownership to Wales & West Utilities, or lay infrastructure on behalf of Independent Gas Transporters (IGT) to connect to our network, should* register with us as a Utility Infrastructure Provider (UIP).
The Team can also provide capacity checks for other Third-Party Customers.
Final Connections Agreement
WWU requires all third party UIPs and IGTs to follow set processes, enter into the appropriate Final Connections Agreement (FCA) contract and follow the requirements outlined in applicable policy, regulation, and specification documents.
Third party UIPs and IGTs are also required to be accredited to an appropriate level for their work under relevant industry schemes.
Customers that wish to enter into an FCA with WWU should complete the Final Connections Agreement Request Template and send it to regulation@wwutilities.co.uk and gtuip@wwutilities.co.uk with a copy of their GIRS Certificate.
*The Gas Act allows individuals or organisations, who do not wish to seek accreditation, the right to lay gas pipes. However, such bodies must be subjected to an equally rigorous examination by the GT.
Registering as an Agent
As per the Gas Industry Registration Scheme, UIPs can act on behalf of IGTs to facilitate submissions that the Adopting IGT will own upon completion.
IGTs must submit an Agency Agreement to WWU to enable a UIP to carry out work on their behalf. IGT’s should complete the Agency Agreement Template and send it to regulation@wwutilities.co.uk and gtuip@wwutilities.co.uk.
Accessing our Maps
WWU provides mapping data to GIRS Accredited UIPs and IGTs who hold and FCA with WWU. To obtain access to this data Third Parties must sign the Agreement for the Licence of Below 7 bar Network Data and send it to gtuip@wwutilities.co.uk.
Further Information
Detailed Information on all aspects of 3rd Party Connections works can be found by downloading the Briefing Note ZIP File.
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When considering the right application for you, please note that Administration Fees are applicable for Quotations and Fast Track Acceptances.
There is no fee for submitting an Enquiry or “Fast Track Acceptances” for Decrease in Loads on Existing CSEPs.
Where the customer has a Credit Agreement in place, Administration Fees will be invoiced at the end of each month.
Where the customer does not have a Credit Agreement, Pre-Payment is required. On receipt of an application, the customer will be issued with a Quotation for the Administration Fee and the project will not be advanced until payment is received.
Standards of Service
The following standards of service apply to 3rd Party Connections Applications.
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UIP Enquiry / IGT Enquiry / Land Enquiry / Capacity Check = 5 working days
- UIP Fast Track Acceptance / IGT Fast Track Acceptance = 5 working days
- UIP Quotation / IGT Quotation <275kWh = 11 working days
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UIP Quotation / IGT Quotation >275kWh = 21 working days
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Land Enquiry – for non-GIRS registered customers
A Land Enquiry is for use by any person wishing to acquire capacity information about Wales & West Utilities (WWU) infrastructure surrounding a proposed development.
If the only information required relates to the location of WWU Infrastructure surrounding a proposed site, the free online mapping tool LineSearch should be used. Please visit LSBUD.co.uk to retrieve the latest utility plans. You can also go to our Dial Before You Dig page for further information.
No Gas industry accreditation is required to submit a Land Enquiry. A Gas Industry Registration Scheme (GIRS) accredited UIP or IGT can utilise the Land Enquiry process if they wish, however it is recommended that FM137 UIP Enquiry Request and FM172 IGT Enquiry Request (FM172) are used for enquiry purposes.
Land Enquiry responses will provide a WWU Mapping extract showing WWU infrastructure surrounding a proposed development and a letter indicating whether the requested gas load is available without reinforcement to the network.
Land Enquiry responses are for information only. They are non-contractual and cannot be used to Fast Track a subsequent Request.
IGT or UIP Enquiry
IGT and UIP Enquiry Response will provide basic details to enable a customer to progress to the next stage of their project.
Non-Typical Gas Demands
Where a load is classified as ‘Non-Typical’ (please see ‘Briefing Note 6 Non-Typical Gas Demands’ for details) WWU require the customer to complete an Additional Load Information Form for Non-Typical Gas Demands form and submit it with their application form.
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If one of the following applies, the customer may proceed straight to a “Fast Track Acceptance”:
- The load falls within the allowed pressure tables within T/SP/NP/14/E (NP14)
- An Enquiry has been submitted for the same load and connection point, and no need for reinforcement has been identified
- An IGT wishes to reduce the load on an existing CSEP
Where the job does not meet any of the above criteria, a full Quotation Request must be submitted.
Projects including a load that is classified as ‘Non-Typical’, cannot be “Fast Tracked”
Responses provided for Condition 16 / Future loads will be considered information only and cannot be accepted. Should an IGT wish to accept a Condition 16 / Future load, prior to connection a new application will be required, post connection, an increase in load will be required.
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Reinforcement Where reinforcement is required, the current lead times are 12-18 months for planning and construction, and WWU will likely place limitations on how much of the load can be taken before construction is completed. Please be aware that WWU will not plan reinforcement for projects until confirmation of planning approval has been received.
Design Submission All UIP projects and IGT applications for a new connection require a design submission, be reviewed and approved by WWU.
Plan Dates Following design approval, works can be planned. The customer must send the plan date request to WWU in accordance with the relevant Regulation and no works can proceed until written authorisation is received from WWU. Customers must also submit the ‘Weekly Whereabouts’ to 3rd Party Connections by the close of play each week, for works due to commence the following week.
MP/IP Works When working on a WWU Medium Pressure or Intermediate Pressure pipe the customer must submit our form requesting a site visit, at least 10 working days before the work are scheduled to begin.
GL5 New works, modifications and repairs to Intermediate Gas mains and services, require a GL5 be approved before design approval will be issued. Please see ‘Briefing Note 14 - GL5 Process’ for more information.
Complex Projects For complex projects, WWU understand that it may not be possible to complete works within the standard standards of service. Where WWU agree to this approach, the customer must provide updates via the ‘Milestone Document’.
Easements UIP works may require an Easement be agreed between WWU, the UIP and the landowner. Where WWU identify that an easement is required, they will issue a blank UIP Tripartite Easement Form with the Quotation / Acceptance Acknowledgement (as applicable). Please be aware there is no specific timeframe for an easement to be agreed/completed.
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Mains Location
Where the customer is unable to locate the WWU main to carry out the works, they must follow the ‘Mains Location Policy’ set out in ‘Briefing Note 13’ and contact WWU as soon as possible.
Please note, any costs must be agreed before works take place.
Completion Files
WWU require completion files are submitted within 10 working days of the connection/disconnection/alteration.
If WWU mains were not found as shown on maps, a DR8 must be provided to enable WWU to correct the records.
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WWU do not require IGTs to submit individual requests for Schedule 5/Emergency Cover, these are automatically created on receipt of the CSEP Creation Notification File from XoServe.
As per the WWU Emergency Services and Follow Up and Repair Services Contract IGTs are responsible for ensuring that Site Design Plans and Engineering Drawings are provided to WWU regularly.
Registration of Nested CSEPs are to be logged with WWU by the Lead CSEP Owner sending a completed IGT Nested CSEP Registration Form to gtuip@wwutilities.co.uk
IGTs are responsible for keeping WWU up to date on the progress of a CSEP, and to ensure that Contractually Agreed details are correct. Where a decrease in load is necessary, the IGT can submit this via a Fast Track Acceptance which is exempt from the Administration Fee.
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Briefing Notes
Got a question?
Please feel free to contact us, but here are our answers to frequently asked questions.