The power socket is a vital commodity that the 21st century is at risk of failing to appreciate. When we plug in and switch on, we take for granted that we have power in constant flow at our fingertips. This isn’t our fault; we've had decades of undisrupted power supplies – with the exception of the occasional blackout. However, there's a world of complexity behind the effortlessness of simply turning on a light switch.

The business end of all utility supplies is the point of connection. Any new development will of course require a power supply, and its type will vary depending on the size of the building and the amount of equipment in it. A small-scale development may be able to merely connect to the existing power network, which is quite a simple process. But if you’re commissioning an epic new-build leisure complex, you’re inevitably dealing with multiple connections, redesigned infrastructure, reinforced cabling, pipeline upgrades and complex legal agreements. Not quite such a simple process.

So why would we need to bother ourselves with such convoluted and complex details? That’s a good question when you assume that the utility connections industry is on the ball. However, the reality is rather different. When a new leisure facility is being built, for example, it will obviously come with a very time-sensitive build schedule. It is an unfortunate fact that the arrangement of utility connections ranks among the most common causes of delay in construction projects.

Last year, the National Federation of Builders (NFB) reported that 55 per cent of contractors reported problems with electricity connections. Though this is a slight improvement on the 64 per cent reported in 2008, there's a long way to go before the industry is at the top of its game.

Utilities regulator OFGEM has attempted to set this issue to rights by encouraging increased competition in the connections industry, while also imposing fines on companies that don’t meet statutory timescales and standards. In spite of this, the industry in general is failing to keep up the pace. There remains a high level of dissatisfaction and, as a result, by December 2013 network operators will be answerable to a test of competence or face investigation.

So what happens in the interim? Obviously the industry has some work to do until it can deliver point of connection services to a cost-effective standard, without throwing new-build development projects over budget and delaying them past scheduled completion. Nevertheless, there are solutions.

In order to ensure you're getting the best service, it's vital that you take advantage of the competition out there. Shopping around will pay off. It's also good to get yourself some protection; by enlisting the support of an Energy Service Company to manage the process for you, you have a safeguard should you run into trouble.

In 2010, one of our clients, the Crown Plaza in Westminster, required a high voltage power supply to feed a 1,000-bed hotel. Having taken the traditional route of applying to the Distribution Network Operator, the project met a few delays and threatened to go over budget. That's where The Energy Desk came in. Through our industry knowledge and by shopping around, we were able to save six months and approximately £100,000.

Finding the best option with the right supplier and at the right cost is achievable. Managing a new utility connection can be done smoothly and without obstacles – it's just a case of speaking to the right people.