Page type: primary-anchored (mirrors Distribution Connection and Use of System Agreement)
Distribution Connection and Use of System Agreement (DCUSA)
The DCUSA is the multi-party agreement governing the use of electricity distribution networks in Great Britain. It sets out the commercial, charging, and operational arrangements between distribution network operators (DNOs and IDNOs), electricity suppliers, distributed generators, the offshore transmission owner, and gas suppliers (for smart metering access).
Current version: 18.1 (26 February 2026) Legal basis: Electricity Act 1989; Distribution Licence SLC 22; Supply Licence SLC 33A Code administrator: ElectraLink Facilitation company: DCUSA Ltd Source file: sources/electralink/dcusa.md Canonical URL: https://www.dcusa.co.uk/dcusa-document/
What the DCUSA does
The DCUSA replaced the bilateral agreements that previously governed distributor-supplier relationships. It provides: - The framework for use of distribution systems by suppliers and generators - Distribution Use of System (DUoS) charging methodologies (the economically critical schedules) - Connection charging methodology - Billing, payment, and credit arrangements - Metering, energisation, and data provisions - Revenue protection and theft arrangements - Governance and change control
Structure
The DCUSA has approximately 1,100 pages, organised into 3 Sections, 60+ Clauses, and 26+ Schedules.
Section 1: Governance and Change Control
| Sub-section | Clauses | Content |
|---|---|---|
| 1A -- Preliminary | 1-4 | Definitions (Clause 1, ~45 pages), commencement, DCUSA objectives, accession |
| 1B -- Governance | 5-8 | DCUSA Panel constitution and operation, costs |
| 1C -- Change Control | 9-14 | Change proposals, assessment, voting, decisions, implementation |
Section 2: Commercial Arrangements
| Sub-section | Clauses | Content |
|---|---|---|
| 2A -- Distributor to Supplier/Generator | 15-35B | Use of system (Cl.18), DUoS charges (Cl.19), billing by settlement class (Cl.20), site-specific billing (Cl.21), security (Cl.24), energisation (Cl.25), metering (Cl.29), demand control (Cl.31), revenue protection (Cl.32), guaranteed performance (Cl.33), confidentiality (Cl.34-35), cost information (Cl.35A-35B) |
| 2B -- Distributor to Distributor/OTSO | 36-52 | Bilateral connection agreements (Cl.38), connection rights (Cl.39), use of system (Cl.40), charges (Cl.43), code compliance (Cl.48) |
| 2C -- Distributor to Gas Supplier | 52A-52F | Smart metering comms hub access |
| 2D -- Electricity Supplier to Gas Supplier | 52G-52L | Inter-fuel supplier relationships for smart metering |
Section 3: General Legal Provisions
Clauses 53-60 covering limitation of liability (Cl.53), termination (Cl.54), force majeure (Cl.55), derogations (Cl.56), disputes (Cl.58), data transfer (Cl.59), and miscellaneous (Cl.60).
Key Schedules
| Schedule | Title | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| 2A | Mandatory Terms for Contracts | Standard contract terms |
| 2B | National Terms of Connection | Connection standards |
| 13 | Bilateral Connection Agreement | Template for distributor-distributor connections |
| 16 | Common Distribution Charging Methodology (CDCM) | The standard DUoS charging methodology -- economically the most important schedule |
| 17 | EHV Charging Methodology (FCP Model) | Extra-high-voltage DUoS charging |
| 18 | EHV Charging Methodology (LRIC Model) | EHV DUoS charging (alternative model) |
| 19 | Portfolio Billing | Billing aggregation rules |
| 21 | Portfolio Billing for Nested Networks | IDNO billing within DNO areas |
| 22 | Common Connection Charging Methodology | How connection charges are calculated |
| 23 | Revenue Protection Code of Practice | Theft and loss arrangements |
| 29 | LDNO Discount Percentages | Discounts for Licensed Distribution Network Operators |
Parties
| Party type | Examples | Basis for participation |
|---|---|---|
| DNO Parties | UKPN, SSEN, NGED, NPG, ENW, SP Energy Networks | Distribution Licence SLC 22 (mandatory) |
| IDNO Parties | GTC, ESP, UK Power Networks (IDNO), Vattenfall | Distribution Licence SLC 22 (mandatory) |
| Supplier Parties | All licensed electricity suppliers | Supply Licence SLC 33A (mandatory) |
| DG Parties | Distributed generators | Via other industry agreements |
| OTSO Party | Offshore transmission owner | Connection to onshore distribution |
| Gas Supplier Parties | Gas suppliers accessing smart metering comms hubs | For smart metering works |
| DCUSA Ltd | Facilitation company | Established under Schedule 10 |
GEMA (the Authority) is explicitly not a party to the DCUSA, though it approves change decisions.
Charging methodologies
The three charging schedules are where the DCUSA has greatest economic impact:
- Schedule 16 (CDCM): The Common Distribution Charging Methodology sets DUoS tariffs for the vast majority of customers (all below EHV). Part 1 covers cost allocation rules; Part 2 covers tariff structures and application.
- Schedule 17 (FCP): The Forward Cost Pricing model for EHV-connected customers. Site-specific charges based on the network path.
- Schedule 18 (LRIC): The Long Run Incremental Cost model for EHV customers. An alternative to FCP.
- Schedule 22: The Common Connection Charging Methodology governs how connection charges are calculated for new connections and reinforcement.
Governance
Changes are proposed as DCPs (DCUSA Change Proposals), assessed by working groups or the DCUSA Standing Issues Group (Schedule 7), voted on by the DCUSA Panel, and either implemented (self-governance) or referred to GEMA. The DCUSA has been designated as a qualifying document under Schedule 12 of the Energy Act 2023.
Cross-references
| Instrument | Nature of link |
|---|---|
| Electricity Act 1989 | Foundational statute |
| Energy Act 2023 | Code governance reform (Schedule 12) |
| Distribution Licence (SLC 22) | Legal basis for DNO/IDNO participation |
| Supply Licence (SLC 33A) | Legal basis for supplier participation |
| BSC | Settlement arrangements referenced |
| Grid Code | Compliance obligations (Clause 48) |
| Distribution Code (DCode) | Technical compliance (Clause 26) |
| Meter Operation Code of Practice | Metering obligations (Clause 27) |
| RIIO-ED price controls | Revenue allowances driving DUoS charges |
Character positions
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Last updated
2026-04-05 (initial build from two-pass ingest)