Skip to content

Resources · Post · 5 August 2025 · Jon Thompson

Which DNO has the most congested network?

Read on LinkedIn

Spare capacity at the typical primary substation varies sharply by DNO: nearly half of SSEN's primaries have under 5MVA spare (August 2025 data), while NPg has the most headroom. With typical HV demand projects at 1-5MVA, what's left won't stick around long.

Chart: who has the most congested network, primary substations by headroom band for each DNO — Data: Long Term Development Statements, August 2025, of Electricity North West, NGED, Northern Powergrid, SP Energy Networks, SSEN Distribution and UK Power Networks, under CC BY 4.0 or the operator's own open data licence. Supported by NGED Open Data. Supported by Northern Powergrid Open Data. Chart by Yottar.