What Is An MPAN Number? Your 13-Digit Meter Point GuideYour Meter Point Administration Number explained: what it is, where to find it, and what each digit means
What is an MPAN Number – An MPAN (Meter Point Administration Number), also known as your electricity supply number, is the unique identifier assigned to every electricity supply point in Great Britain.
Think of it as the postcode for your electricity meter: it identifies the specific supply point at your premises on the national distribution network, regardless of which supplier provides the electricity.
Every business electricity meter has one. It does not change when you switch supplier, renegotiate a contract, or the property changes hands.
Unlike your account number, which belongs to your supplier, your MPAN belongs to the supply point itself.
Where to Find Your MPAN Number
Your MPAN appears in several places:
> On your electricity bill or invoice – look for a large “S” symbol, which marks the start of your MPAN. Suppliers are legally required to print this on every bill.
> In your supplier’s welcome letter or online account portal
> On correspondence from your network operator or supplier confirming your supply details
Some suppliers only print the bottom 13-digit line (the MPAN core) rather than the full 21-digit number. If you need the full MPAN – for example, for half-hourly metering purposes, contact your supplier or distribution network operator directly.
If you do not have a bill available, contact the electricity distribution network operator (DNO) for your area.
With your full address and postcode they can provide your MPAN.
What Does an MPAN Number Look Like?
A full MPAN is a 21-digit number displayed in two lines, preceded by the letter S:
> Top line (8 digits): Profile Class (2 digits) + Meter Time Switch Code (3 digits) + Line Loss Factor (3 digits)
> Bottom line / MPAN core (13 digits): Distributor ID (2 digits) + Meter Point ID (8 digits) + Check Digit (1 digit) + a leading “2”
For example: S 00 001 100 / 23 1234 5678 9 0 1
What Each Part of the MPAN Means
Profile Class (PC) – first 2 digits of top line: Determines how your consumption is settled by the electricity market. Half-hourly metered supplies use profile class 00. Domestic supplies are 01 or 02. Small commercial supplies are 03 or 04. Larger commercial sites, those with maximum demand metering, are 05 to 08. Knowing your profile class tells you whether mandatory half-hourly settlement applies to your site.
Meter Time Switch Code (MTC) – digits 3-5: Indicates the number of registers on your meter and when they operate. A meter with separate day and night registers will have a different MTC than a single-rate meter.
Line Loss Factor (LLF) – digits 6-8: Accounts for electrical losses that occur during transmission across the local distribution network. The LLF is applied when calculating your final settled consumption for billing purposes.
Distributor ID – first 2 digits of MPAN core: Identifies your local electricity distribution network operator (DNO). Common values include 10 and 12 for UK Power Networks (East and London), 14 for National Grid Electricity Distribution (West Midlands), 16 for Electricity North West, 17 for Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks, 18 for SP Distribution, and 23 for Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire).
Meter Point ID – digits 3-10 of MPAN core: A unique identifier for the physical supply point within the distribution area.
Check Digit – digit 11 of MPAN core: A mathematically derived digit used to verify the Distributor ID and Meter Point ID are correct.
MPAN vs MPRN: What Is the Difference?
An MPAN identifies your electricity supply point. An MPRN (Meter Point Reference Number) is the gas equivalent, a unique identifier for your gas supply point. If you are switching or comparing both electricity and gas, you will need both numbers. Your MPRN is a shorter number (up to 10 digits) found on your gas bill.
What is an MPAN Number and Why You Need Your MPAN
Your MPAN is required whenever you:
> Switch business electricity supplier – the new supplier registers the supply using your MPAN
> Request a business electricity quote – suppliers use your MPAN to retrieve your consumption history
> Set up a new electricity supply at new premises
> Query a billing discrepancy or meter reading dispute
MPAN Frequently Asked Questions
What does MPAN stand for?
MPAN stands for Meter Point Administration Number. It is the unique identifier assigned to every electricity supply point in Great Britain by the relevant Distribution Network Operator.
Is my MPAN the same as my meter serial number?
No. Your MPAN identifies the supply point (the location on the network), while the meter serial number identifies the physical meter installed at that point. If your meter is replaced, your MPAN stays the same. If you move to different premises, you get a different MPAN.
Can my MPAN change?
An MPAN very rarely changes. It could change if there is a major infrastructure reconfiguration at your supply point by your Distribution Network Operator. In practice, most businesses keep the same MPAN for the lifetime of their tenancy at a site.
What if my site has multiple electricity meters?
Each separately metered supply point has its own MPAN. A site with separate meters for different floors, buildings or tenants will have a different MPAN for each. If you are comparing costs across a multi-meter site, you will need all MPANs to get accurate quotes.
What do I do if I cannot find my MPAN?
Contact your current electricity supplier, who is legally required to print it on your bill. Alternatively, contact the Distribution Network Operator for your area, or ask Catalyst to look it up as part of a procurement review.
How Catalyst Can Help
If you cannot locate your MPAN or are unsure what it means for your energy procurement, Catalyst can look it up and guide you through the switching process. As an independent business energy consultant, we manage electricity procurement for UK businesses across all meter types and profile classes.
Get in touch with Catalyst to review your business electricity contract