If you’re trying to find out the electricity supplier for a property, and sometimes when you’re trying to switch energy or contact your supplier to submit a meter reading or ask about a bill, you may be asked for your MPAN number. The Meter Point Administration Number, also known as a Supply Number or S number, is a unique 21-digit (and sometimes 13-digit) reference number used to identify individual electricity supply points.
If you’re asked to provide an MPAN number, you can find it on your most recent electricity bill. But what do all those digits stand for and when might you need to use this number?
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Your MPAN number is a unique 21-digit number that identifies your electricity supply point. It often begins with an S and is sometimes referred to as an S number, for Supply number.
Here’s what all the numbers stand for. You likely won’t ever have to use or even make sense of these numbers, but you might be curious:
Your MPAN number will be listed on your electricity bill. It may be called a Supply number. They’re often printed at the bottom of the first page of your bill or on the reverse of the first page. Unlike your MPRN for the gas network, you won’t be able to find your MPAN on your physical electricity meter.
Note that your MPAN number is not the same as your account number or customer reference number, which will also be printed on your bill and which you’ll need to refer to in communications with your supplier.
If you don’t have access to a previous electricity bill, you can obtain your MPAN from the Distribution Network Operator (DNO) in your area. You’ll need to identify your DNO based on the region in which you live and phone their Meter Point Administration service and provide them with your postcode and address.
See below for a list of regional DNOs and the phone numbers of their MPAS services:
| Region | Electricity Distribution Company | MPAS service number |
| North Scotland | Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks | 0800 048 3515 |
| Central and Southern Scotland | SP Energy Networks | 0330 1010 300 |
| North East England and Yorkshire | Northern Powergrid | 0800 011 3332 |
| North West England | Electricity North West | 0800 195 4141 |
| Merseyside, Cheshire, North Wales & North Shropshire | SP Energy Networks | 0330 1010 300 |
| East Midlands & West Midlands | Western Power Distribution | 0800 096 3080 |
| South Wales & South West England | Western Power Distribution | 0800 096 3080 |
| London, South East England & Eastern England | UK Power Networks | 0800 029 4285 |
| Southern England | Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks | 0800 048 3516 |
| Northern Ireland | Northern Ireland Electricity Networks | 03457 643 643 |
Your DNO’s MPAS service will be able to give you your 13-digit ‘core’ MPAN number over the phone. That’s the second row of your MPAN number when printed, with the Distribution ID, Meter Point ID, and check digit. This core MPAN number should be enough for most of your purposes, but you can also request your DNO send you the full 21-digit number in writing.
Some DNOs operate an online service which can tell you your MPAN. If you live in London, the South East of England or the East of England, you can find the online service of your DNO, UK Power Network here.
You’ll need your MPAN number when you switch energy supplier or move home.
When you switch energy, your new electricity supplier will typically ask for your MPAN number as part of the process. Because MPAN numbers are associated with properties and not suppliers, your MPAN won’t change when you get a new energy supplier.
If you’re transferring your energy deal to a new property, you’ll often need to tell your supplier the MPANs of your new and old properties. Your local DNO will be able to tell you the MPAN and current supplier of your new home.
The equivalent of an MPAN for your property’s gas supply is the MPRN, the meter point reference number. It is sometimes also called an M number and is typically six to 10 digits. It’s located on your physical gas meter and will also be printed on your gas bill.
If you’ve moved into a new property and are trying to find out its gas supplier, you’ll need to phone the National Grid’s Meter Number Helpline and provide the meter’s MPAN number. If you’re having trouble locating the number on the meter – it’s different from the meter serial number – the staff on the helpline should be able to guide you. They may also be able to tell you your MPRN if you give them your postcode and address. You can phone them on 0870 608 1524.