DCP161 — Excess Capacity
The Distribution Code change that introduced excess-capacity penalties for half-hourly sites that exceed their agreed Available Capacity.
DCP161 is the Distribution Code change, implemented in April 2018, that introduced a separately metered penalty regime for half-hourly customers whose maximum demand exceeds their Available Capacity (the agreed kVA capacity stated in the customer's connection agreement).
Before DCP161, the half-hourly excess-capacity charge was the same rate as the agreed-capacity charge — so a site running over its agreed kVA paid no penalty beyond paying for the additional capacity actually used. After DCP161, the excess-capacity rate is a multiple of the agreed-capacity rate, depending on DNO area, making sustained over-running of agreed capacity materially more expensive.
The practical implications:
- HH customers with increasing demand — typically following a refurbishment, an EV-charger installation or a kitchen retrofit — should review Available Capacity before, not after, demand rises.
- Conversely, HH customers with falling demand — typically after an LED retrofit, a refrigeration upgrade or a partial site closure — should renegotiate Available Capacity downwards, because under TCR the agreed capacity feeds into TCR band allocation as well as the standing capacity charge.
- Capacity reviews should be a routine annual procurement item, not a one-off at contract renewal.
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kilovolt-amperes
kVAThe unit of apparent electrical power; used to set Available Capacity on half-hourly electricity supplies.
Read definitionTargeted Charging Review
TCROfgem's reform of how residual transmission and distribution network costs are recovered; replaced volumetric Triad and DUoS residual charges with fixed bands.
Read definitionDistribution Use of System
DUoSThe charge electricity suppliers pay to regional Distribution Network Operators for using local distribution wires; recovered from customers through the unit rate.
Read definitionHalf-Hourly Metering
HHThe metering and settlement regime in which electricity consumption is measured and settled in 30-minute intervals; mandatory above 100 kW measured maximum demand.
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