A connection offer is a formal proposal from a grid operator (typically a DSO/utility) that defines the technical and commercial terms for connecting an EV charging site to the electricity network. It specifies the available capacity, required infrastructure upgrades, expected timelines, costs, and the conditions that must be met before the connection is energized.
What Is a Connection Offer?
A connection offer is typically issued after a site submits a connection application and the grid operator reviews available capacity and technical feasibility. The offer usually includes:
– Approved connection capacity (kW / kVA / A) and connection type (single/three-phase, LV/MV)
– Connection point location and technical interface requirements
– Required network reinforcement works (if any)
– Metering arrangements and responsibilities
– Estimated connection lead time and key milestones
– Total connection costs, payment schedule, and validity period of the offer
– Conditions for acceptance, construction, and energization
Why Connection Offers Matter for EV Charging
Connection offers are the backbone of project feasibility and financial planning. They matter because they:
– Determine whether the site can support the planned charger count and power level
– Influence CAPEX and ROI (utility upgrade costs can dominate budgets)
– Set the timeline for go-live and commissioning
– Define constraints that shape charger selection and load management strategy
– Establish responsibilities between site owner, installer, and grid operator
For commercial and fleet projects, connection offer terms can decide whether the project proceeds at all.
What a Connection Offer Typically Covers
Connection offers usually include both technical and commercial content:
Technical Terms
– Maximum import capacity and any export limits (if solar/storage is included)
– Protection requirements and disconnection rules
– Power quality requirements (harmonics, flicker, fault levels where relevant)
– Point of connection and cable route assumptions
– Requirements for main switchgear and distribution configuration
– Any operational constraints (e.g., maximum demand limits)
Commercial Terms
– Quoted connection and reinforcement costs
– Payment milestones (deposit, staged payments, final payment)
– Validity period and penalties for late acceptance or changes
– Ongoing charges that may apply depending on market structure
– Requirements for design approvals, inspections, and energization booking
How Connection Offers Affect Charger Site Design
Once a connection offer is received, the project design often adapts to its constraints:
– If capacity is limited, use load balancing to deploy more connectors within a capped demand limit
– Apply realistic simultaneity assumptions using coincidence factor
– Phase rollout (install more charge points later when upgrades are complete)
– Reassess charger mix (AC vs DC) to match available capacity and dwell time behavior
– Plan electrical panels, feeders, and circuit breakers around the offered capacity
The connection offer effectively defines the “power budget” for the site.
Accepting and Managing a Connection Offer
A connection offer often has a limited acceptance window. Best practices include:
– Confirming the offered capacity matches the operational plan (fleet readiness, peak hours)
– Checking all scope assumptions (cable routes, civil works responsibilities, reinstatement standards)
– Clarifying what is included in the utility cost vs what remains on the customer side
– Locking design change control after acceptance to avoid rework and re-quoting
– Aligning commissioning and energization scheduling early to prevent delays
Common Pitfalls
– Accepting an offer without validating capacity against real charging schedules and growth plans
– Missing the acceptance deadline and restarting the application process
– Underestimating customer-side civil works and panel costs outside the utility scope
– Ignoring future expansion, leading to a second expensive reinforcement later
– Not planning for on-site generation/storage export rules and metering complexity
– Misalignment between connection offer constraints and backend load management configuration
Related Glossary Terms
Connection Lead Time
Grid Congestion
Charging Capacity Planning
Load Balancing
Coincidence Factor
Electrical Panels
Circuit Breakers
Civil Works
Commissioning Documentation