• Blog
• Energy Guides

How to arrange a new business gas connection

While low-carbon technologies such as heat pumps are advancing, a gas supply remains the most practical and cost-effective heating solution for many commercial properties.

In Britain, most business premises are located close enough to a gas main to make a new connection viable.

This guide outlines the key steps involved in arranging a new commercial gas connection and explains the typical timeline and associated costs.

💡If your property already has a gas supply but you need to replace or relocate your meter, use our guide on business gas meter installation.

Step-by-step process for a new business gas connection

Below, we’ve summarised the six essential steps for arranging a business gas connection:

The process outlined below covers both arranging directly with the local gas network operator and using an independent Utility Infrastructure Provider.

• Step 1: Review of technical requirements.
• Step 2: Get a gas connection quote.
• Step 3: Receive a Meter Point Reference Number.
• Step 4: Appoint a business gas supplier.
• Step 5: Physically connect your property to the local gas network.
• Step 6: Post-installation checks and compliance.

Review of technical requirements

The first step in arranging a business gas connection is understanding your property’s gas supply requirements.

Here’s a list of technical requirements you need to know in advance about your business gas connection:

• Annual gas load – The amount of gas you expect your property to consume annually, measured in kWh.
• Peak hourly load – The maximum flow of gas your business will require in a single hour, measured in cubic metres per hour.
• Meter location – Determine the desired location of your business gas meter in your property plan.
• Previous gas connections – Determine whether your property has ever had a gas connection.

Get a gas connection quote

Business gas connections can either be installed by the local gas distribution operator responsible for the gas infrastructure in your region, or by an independent Utility Infrastructure Provider.

In this section, we explain how to get a quotation for each.

Quotation from your local gas network operator

In Britain, there are four different gas distribution operators. You can identify the one serving your area and find their contact details on the Energy Networks website.

Each operator’s website includes a form to request a new commercial gas connection. On the form, you can choose whether you want the operator to:

• Lay gas pipes up to the shut-off valve at your property’s boundary; or
• Lay gas pipes directly to your gas meter location.

After you complete the form, the grid operator/independent gas transporter will provide a quote for connecting your property to the gas grid. The quote will include a connection plan, estimated costs, and a timeline for the work.

Quotation from Utility Infrastructure Provider

A Utility Infrastructure Provider (UIP) is an independent company licensed to design, install and commission gas works, including connections to the public gas networks.

A UIP will complete each stage of a new business connection, liaising with the local gas network operator where necessary.

A key advantage of using a UIP is that they can also handle water, fibre optic and commercial electricity connections for new properties. This multi-utility approach minimises the excavation work required, saving overall cost and time.

You can request bespoke quotes from UIPs by filling out a form on their website.

Receive a Meter Point Reference Number

Once you accept a connection quote, your installation provider will issue your commercial property to a Meter Point Reference Number (MPRN).

An MPRN is a unique identifier for your property’s gas connection, allowing you to appoint a business gas supplier for your new connection.

Appoint a business gas supplier

The next step is to appoint a licensed business gas supplier and sign up for a new business energy contract to pay for the gas supplied through your new connection.

You’ll need to ask your new supplier to install a business gas meter at your property and to activate the gas supply once the connection work is complete.

Our business energy experts have helped thousands of companies find gas suppliers offering cheaper business gas prices.

Use our business energy comparison service today to quickly find the best deals available in your area.

Physically connect your property to the local gas network

The next stage involves completing the groundwork to connect your property to the gas mains with a new supply pipe.

The physical connection work encompasses the following crucial steps:

• Engineers dig trenches where needed to lay the gas pipes from the main supply to your property.
• Pipes are laid securely in the trenches, ensuring they comply with safety regulations and are appropriately insulated and protected.
• The new pipes are connected to the local gas network infrastructure.
• The engineers backfill the trenches and restore the ground as much as possible.

Post-installation checks and compliance

Once the physical business gas installation has been completed, there are several key stages of checks and commissioning to ensure the safety of the new connection.

Pressure testing and purging

The installed pipework is pressure-tested to check for leaks and to ensure it meets strength and tightness standards.

After testing, the pipework is purged of air and filled with natural gas to make it safe for operation.

A Pressure Test Certificate is produced by a technician to document the successful completion of this work.

Meter installation and commissioning

The gas connection commissioning process verifies that the pipework complies with industry standards and that it reaches the meter point safely. A live gas commissioning certificate is issued at this stage.

Once the connection is commissioned, a technician from your business gas supplier can install your gas meter. The gas technician will provide a meter commissioning certificate.

Once the connection is established, your new supplier will begin issuing business gas bills, and you will start paying daily business gas standing charges for your connection.

Internal gas installations

Internal gas appliances used in your property, such as boilers and other machinery, must be installed and tested by a Gas Safe registered installer.

We recommend using the Gas Safe search function to find registered gas engineers in your area.

A registered engineer will provide an Installation Completion Certificate for all internal gas works.

Cost of a new commercial gas connection

This section covers the key factors impacting the cost of a commercial gas connection, including whether you choose to arrange the connection through the local gas network operator or a Utility Infrastructure Provider.

Factors influencing influencing connection costs

Here are the top factors that influence the overall cost of a new business gas connection:

• Distance from the nearest gas main – The further your property is from the nearest gas main, the more excavation and new pipework will be required for your connection.
• Peak hourly load – The peak hourly gas load of your property determines the size of pipe required for the installation. The larger the pipe, the more expensive the connection.
• Surface type – Digging trenches for gas pipes is straightforward on soil or grass, but more complex for tarmac footpaths, concrete driveways, or public roads.
• Traffic management – Gas connection costs increase significantly if excavation of a road surface is required and roadworks must be carried out.

Gas Distribution Network connection charges

Regional gas networks publish their connection charging methodologies online each year.

These documents provide standardised costs associated with new gas connections, alterations, and disconnections.

The energy regulator Ofgem requires that the charges set by gas distribution networks reflect the actual cost of delivering the service, using a transparent methodology that explains how the charges are calculated.

Utility Infrastructure Provider connection charges

Unlike gas network operators, quotes from Utility Infrastructure Providers are more flexible and bespoke to each business gas connection project.

For small commercial properties, quotes from a UIP may be fixed as an all-in price. Larger commercial properties are more likely to receive a detailed, itemised quotation that may change as the project progresses.

Timelines for a new business gas connection

Timelines for a new business gas connection can be as short as six weeks for a simple connection to a small commercial property, and extend to over six months for high-capacity connections.

The table below shows the typical time required for each stage of the gas connection process.

New business gas connection FAQs

Here we’ll answer some of the common questions business owners have about arranging a new gas connection.

Can I expedite the gas connection process?

Here are three tips we recommend for arranging a new business gas connection as quickly as possible:

• Use a Utility Infrastructure Provider: Independent UIPs tend to be faster and more flexible than local Gas Distribution Networks, especially for smaller properties.
• Fast-track options: UIPs can offer premium fast-track services for an additional fee. Enquire about this option when requesting quotes.
• Appoint your supplier early: Meter installations are handled separately by your gas supplier. Appoint your supplier early so you can align the meter installation with your pipework commissioning date.

What if my property isn’t near a gas main?

We recommend confirming the precise distance between your property and the nearest gas main. This can be done by contacting your Gas Distribution Network operator or by using a site utility search.

It is possible to pay for an extension to the mains network, but this is usually prohibitively expensive. Instead, the most common alternatives are:

• Bulk LPG tank: Using a gas storage tank on site, which is filled by road tanker deliveries.
• All-electric systems: Upgrading your electricity supply to support heat pumps and other electric alternatives to gas-supplied equipment.

Can I apply for a gas connection myself or use an agent?

You can apply for a gas connection yourself as the property owner, developer, or occupier, or you can appoint a specialist consultant or project manager to act on your behalf.

Using a specialist who is familiar with the technical requirements of a business gas connection can save time through improved coordination and help you avoid mistakes. However, using an agent will incur additional professional fees for your project.

Back to blog Back to water guides

• Share:
• 
• 
• 
•