Building a single house on a standalone site

Apply online or follow the step-by-step guide below to get a single house being built on a standalone site connected to the electricity network.

If the new house is part of a housing scheme development, you should already have made an application for an electricity connection.

Note: This process also applies to farmers who wish to connect a load of less than 30 Kilovolt-Amperes (kVA) (30 Kilowatts (kW)).

Step 1:
Get an Application Form		 Complete the ESB Networks Application Form number NC2.
Download the Application Form NC2 (PDF | 76KB)
or
CallSave 1850 372 757 to request a copy.
Step 2:
Check Your Site

Check your site to see if any overhead electricity lines are crossing it

If so, you must contact ESB Networks on CallSave 1850 372 757 to get them moved. How to get an overhead electricity line moved.

Step 3(a):
Get an Ordnance Survey Map

Step 3(b):
Get a Site Plan		 Obtain an Ordnance Survey map (scale 1:2500-1:10560) that shows the location of the new house. Mark the location of the new house with a red pen.

Obtain a detailed site plan (scale 1:100-1:500) showing your new house.

Photocopies are acceptable.
Step 4:
Return the Application Form		 Send the completed Application Form NC2, the Ordnance Survey map and the site plan in a single envelope to the following address:

ESB Network Services Bureau,
PO Box 29,
Garrycastle,
Athlone,
Co. Westmeath,
Ireland
Step 5:
Receive a Quotation

When we receive the Application Form (and site maps/plans) we will prepare a written quotation, including terms & conditions for connection.

This quotation includes:
  • The costs payable.
  • Information on the connection process and general conditions.
  • Specifications to help you to lay "ducts" within the site and position an outdoor meter box.
  • A unique Meter Point Reference Number (MPRN). This is an important number required by you and the electrical contractor.

See a list of all ESB Networks' charges

Quotations for Houses in a Rural Area over 500 metres from the Medium Voltage Electricity Network

For a new house in a rural area that is a distance more than 500m from our Medium Voltage network, an ESB Networks' Designer will need to carry out a site inspection to assess the network and prepare a costing. We normally send you a quotation within 15 working days of receiving the completed application.

Quotations for Houses in a Rural Area within 500 metres of the Medium Voltage Electricity Network

If the new house is in a rural area and is within 500m distance of the Medium Voltage network, we normally do not need to visit the site in order to prepare a quotation.

In this case, we will issue a quotation within 7 working days of receiving the completed application.

Quotations for Houses in an Urban or Suburban Location
If the site is within an urban area, a site visit is generally not required if the new connection point is within 50m distance of our Low Voltage network.

Note: Charges for a standard 12kVA connection within 500 meters (rural) or 50 meters (urban) distance are set out in the document Charges for Connection to the Distribution System (PDF | 203KB).

Charges for connections outside these distances will be established based on a site visit.
Step 6:
Return Payment		 Once you have received a quotation, you must post the payment (in the envelope provided) to:

ESB Network Services Bureau,
Garrycastle,
Athlone,
Co. Westmeath.

Cheque, postal order and bank drafts are acceptable. (No cash).

Once payment has been received, a detailed design will be carried out and the necessary permissions and wayleaves will be sought from landowners.

Only when these permissions have been received can construction of the connection commence.

Please be aware that in some cases it may be necessary for ESB Networks to erect a new pole on the site within 50 metres of the outdoor meter cabinet at the new house.
Step 7:
Complete the Connection 		If no significant extra work is required, we will generally complete the connection within 12 weeks after payment has been received.

In order to achieve this target, the following 3 things must take place:
  1. The E.T.C.I. Certificate will be provided by the electrical contractor on completion of the wiring of the new house. A notification of this validated wiring certificate from the contractor's regulatory body must be received electronically by ESB Networks at least two weeks before the end of this 12 week period.
  2. You must contact ESB Networks at least two weeks before the end of this 12 week period to confirm that the outdoor meter cabinet has been provided for the electricity meters as per our specification. To Contact Us call 1850 372 757.
  3. You must contact ESB Networks at least two weeks before the end of this 12 week period to confirm that the "duct" (within the site) for the underground service cable between the service pole and the meter box has been installed in accordance with our specifications.
Step 8:
Go Live!		 Once all of the above requirements have been met, the new connection can be made live.

The electrical contractor is then responsible for making the power live in the new home once the new connection has been completed by ESB Networks.

Remember, the owner/occupier must make a separate application to an electricity supplier in order to make sure electricity is available.
View a list of all electricity suppliers.

Application forms and other useful downloads

ETCI Completion Certificate
In the interests of safety and good practice, new electrical installations must comply with the wiring standards set down by the Electro Technical Council of Ireland (ETCI). Prior to connection a Completion Certificate recognised by ETCI must be submitted to ESB by an electrical contractor registered with an approved independent regulatory body.
Read about the certification process

Duct certificate
In order for the construction programme to proceed, you must confirm that the service duct, meter cabinet and earth trench (where required) have been installed in accordance with ESB specification and are now ready. You can text the word DUCT and your MPRN to 087-7526666 to confirm compliance to this specification.

ESB Networks general conditions for connection (PDF | 334KB)
This document sets out the conditions for connection to the electricity distribution system. These conditions apply to all customers irrespective of their electricity supplier.

Get more useful documents from the 'Downloads' page on this site

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