What we do
We carry out our work in line with statutory duties set out in the Energy (Northern Ireland) Order 2003 and the Water and Sewerage Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006. This legislation can be found on the Office of Public Sector Information website.
The Utility Regulator has three main objectives:
Protect the interests of electricity consumers with regard to price and quality of service, where appropriate by promoting competition in the generation, transmission and supply of electricity;
Promote the development and maintenance of an economic and coordinated gas industry and to protect the interests of gas consumers with regard to price and quality of service;
Protect the interests of water and sewerage consumers, where appropriate by promoting competition, by promoting a robust and efficient industry delivering high quality services.
We work to protect the interests of electricity, gas and water consumers in Northern Ireland by:
- issuing and maintaining licences for gas, electricity and water companies to operate in Northern Ireland;
- making sure that these companies meet relevant legislation and licence obligations;
- challenging companies to keep the prices they charge electricity, gas and water customers as low as possible;
- encouraging regulated companies to be more efficient and responsive to customers;
- working to encourage competition in the gas, electricity, water and sewerage services markets;
- setting the standards of service which regulated companies provide to customers in Northern Ireland;
- acting as an adjudicator on certain customer complaints, disputes and appeals.
In carrying out our work we also take account of the needs of vulnerable consumers. We also aim to contribute to the promotion of sustainable development in exercising our regulatory duties.
We make sure that our work is carefully planned to help us achieve our aims and objectives. Our key strategic document is our Corporate Strategy 2009-14.
On an annual basis we also produce a Forward Work Plan which outlines key projects that we aim to undertake each year.
Our Annual Report provides an official commentary on the organisation’s activities each year. We also publish our Resource Accounts on an annual basis.
We are committed to equality of opportunity and to support this commitment, we have developed an Equality Scheme – in compliance with Section 75 and Schedule 9 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, and a Disability Action Plan – in compliance with the Disability Discrimination Act 2005.
Access to registers
The register of all energy (electricity and gas) licensees are available for inspection at the offices of the Utility Regulator, Queens House, 14 Queens Street, Belfast, BT1 6ED click here for location of Utility Regulator offices. Additionally, where a map or maps form part of the documents provided in support of the application these are also available for inspection. Documents can be inspected between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays).
You should contact the following to arrange a suitable time to inspect the documentation :
Electricity documents – Ryan McCombe, 028 9031 6639 ()
Gas documents – Karen McConnell, 028 9031 6342 ()
In order to help us protect the interests of electricity, gas and water consumers in Northern Ireland, we work with a range of partner organisations. These include:
- utility companies
- Consumer Council Northern Ireland (CCNI) – whose role as an advocate for consumers is complementary to our regulatory powers
- other Northern Ireland government departments (such as the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment and the Department of Regional Development)
- other government departments and bodies in Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland (such as OFGEM, OFWAT, the Water Industry Commission of Scotland)
- non-governmental organisations (such as the Energy Savings Trust)
In 2009 we established an Academic Panel which includes academics with a range of relevant research and teaching interests (e.g., economics, law, engineering, social policy). The Panel will help ensure that relevant academic research informs our work and will also provide an opportunity to disseminate wider advice, information and knowledge about our work. This cross-disciplinary forum will meet quarterly and agree a work programme.