Independent Connection Providers (ICPs) shall be able to complete self-design approval in the majority of circumstances, as outlined in the table below.
At this time, some market segments have been excluded due to the technical complexity and/or network constraints. We will work with ICPs to develop processes to open these market segments in the future.
| Relevant Market Segment | Self-approval of designs available (Yes/No) | Comments |
| LV demand | Yes* | Subject to restrictions |
| HV demand | Yes* | Subject to restrictions |
| HV/EHV demand | No | Currently due to technical nature, complexity of designs and significant impact on network. |
| EHV/132kV demand | No | Currently due to technical nature, complexity of designs and significant impact on network. |
| DG LV | Yes* | Subject to restrictions |
| DG HV/EHV | No | Currently due to technical nature, complexity of designs and significant impact on network. |
| UMS LA | Yes | |
| UMS Other | Yes | |
| UMS PFI | Yes | |
* Subject to the following restrictions: - Where Contestable design requires incorporation of a constraint and monitoring scheme
- Diversion of Existing Assets (affecting existing Substation assets)
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Please see our process document ESDD-02-021 Guidance for Self-Determination of Point of Connection and Self-Design Approval for Independent Connection Providers. There is a probationary period to be able to complete the self-design approval which is detailed in the above document and in the table of qualifying criteria below.
The self-determined process in full can be seen on the high level process map.
Self-Design Approval Qualifying Criteria
| Level | Criteria |
| 1 | Complete a briefing with SPEN and enter into a probationary period for each RMS category - complete 5 projects in parallel (normal costs apply) and if no issues move to level 2 |
| 2 | ICP fully able to self-approve contestable designs |