DCP440: Distribution Connection and Use of System Agreement (DCUSA) changes

Details of outcome 

We have approved modification proposal DCP440 following a revised Change Report. The change will ensure that Distribution Use of System (DUoS) charges are applied to Market-wide Half Hourly Settlement (MHHS) migrated sites where actual consumption is detected, even if the site is incorrectly flagged as De-energised in industry systems. 

Start Date 

This change will start from 1 April 2027. 

Code modification description 

Currently DUoS charges apply to all sites which are registered as energised and consuming energy, however if a site is registered as De-energised but still consumes energy, then DUoS charges are not applied. This can result in under-recovery of DUoS charges or the costs being socialised across other consumers. These charges can only be applied to these sites once the energy supplier correctly amends the site to an energised status. 

This modification was raised by Eastern Power Networks to address a gap in DUoS charging where sites marked as De-energised are consuming electricity but not being billed. This modification will only affect MHHS migrated MPANs. Once implanted DUOS charges will apply from point of actual consumption is detected regardless of energisation status.   

This decision follows a send-back letter we issued on 13 March 2025, which requested further clarity on consumer impacts, backdating of charges, and consistency with MHHS settlement timelines. The revised proposal addressed these concerns by: 

• moving the implementation date to 1 April 2027 to allow suppliers time to notify affected customers
• confirming that charges will apply only from the point of consumption detection (no retrospective billing)
• clarifying that each MPAN will be treated individually, including on multi-MPAN sites

We concluded that the modification better facilitates DCUSA Charging Objectives Two and Three by promoting fairness, improving cost recovery, and aligning billing with actual usage.