Local distribution company

A local distribution company, or LDC, is a distribution company that maintains the portion of the utility supply grid that is closest to the residential and small commercial consumer. There are many alternative terms depending on the type of utility and its location; in Ontario, Canada, the term is used for both the electrical grid and natural gas supply, while within the UK's National Grid they are known as Distribution network operators (DNOs).

LDCs normally buy their power from larger companies, sometimes ones dedicated solely to wholesale supply. They re-sell it to the smaller customer. Larger customers typically buy their power directly from the wholesaler, and do not use the LDC.