---
title: "What is a DNO?"
description: "DNO explained for UK solar owners. What Distribution Network Operators do, how they differ from suppliers, and the list of DNOs in Great Britain and Northern Ireland."
---

> Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://checkmy.solar/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# What is a DNO?

A **DNO** (Distribution Network Operator) owns and runs the **local electricity cables and substations** that deliver power to your home or business. They operate the **low-voltage and medium-voltage network** in a defined region.

Your **energy supplier** sells you electricity and sends your bill. Your **DNO** maintains the wires, connects new supplies, and approves or records **embedded generation** (such as solar and batteries) on their network.

If you are installing solar or a battery that can export, your installer usually notifies or applies to your **local DNO**. That is separate from choosing an export tariff (SEG) with a supplier.

## List of UK DNOs

Great Britain has **six DNO groups**, each holding one or more **licence areas** (14 areas in total). Northern Ireland has a separate network operator.

### UK Power Networks

- Eastern England
- London
- South East England

### National Grid Electricity Distribution

Formerly Western Power Distribution (WPD).

- East Midlands
- West Midlands
- South West England
- South Wales

### Northern Powergrid

- North East England
- Yorkshire

### Electricity North West (ENWL)

- North West England (Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire)

### SP Energy Networks

- **SP Manweb**: Merseyside, Cheshire, North Wales
- **SP Distribution**: Central and Southern Scotland

### Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) Distribution

- **SSEN North**: North Scotland
- **SSEN South**: Central Southern England (including Hampshire, Dorset, and parts of Wiltshire and Oxfordshire)

### Northern Ireland

- **NIE Networks** (part of ESB Group): electricity distribution in Northern Ireland

There are also **IDNOs** (Independent Distribution Network Operators) that own private networks (for example on new housing estates). Most homes are served by one of the groups above. Your [MPAN](/docs/guides/what-is-mpan-uk-solar/) shows which distribution area applies.

## How to find your DNO

Check your electricity bill, your supplier's website, or the [Energy Networks Association postcode tool](https://www.energynetworks.org/operating-the-networks/becoming-a-member/who-is-my-network-operator). Your installer's [G98 or G99](/docs/guides/what-is-g98-solar-connection-uk/) paperwork goes to the DNO for your supply point.

## DNO and solar monitoring

The DNO's role is **connection and compliance** on the network, not day-to-day monitoring of your inverter. Once your system is connected, **Fox ESS** owners on **Fox Cloud** can track generation, battery, and grid import/export in **[Check My Solar](https://checkmy.solar)** when the plant reports meter data.

## FAQ

### Is my DNO the same as my electricity supplier?

No. You can switch **supplier** while your **DNO** (the local network company) stays the same.

### Do I contact the DNO when my solar stops working?

Usually not first. Contact your **installer** or **inverter manufacturer** for faults. Contact the DNO for **supply outages**, **new connections**, or **export/connection paperwork**.

### What is a DSO?

**DSO** (Distribution System Operator) is the wider role some DNOs are moving toward, including more active management of local generation and flexibility. For most homeowners, **DNO** is still the term on connection forms.

## Related pages

- [What is an MPAN?](/docs/guides/what-is-mpan-uk-solar/)
- [G98 solar grid connection (UK)](/docs/guides/what-is-g98-solar-connection-uk/)
- [G99 solar grid connection (UK)](/docs/guides/what-is-g99-solar-connection-uk/)
- [See if solar is exporting to the grid](/docs/guides/see-if-solar-is-exporting-to-grid/)
- [All solar guides](/docs/guides/)

Source: https://checkmy.solar/docs/guides/what-is-dno-uk-solar/index.mdx