SONI Governance: a Call for Evidence

Published:

Consultation opened on . Closing date at 18:00.

Summary

The structure of the electricity transmission sector in Northern Ireland has undergone significant change since the Single Electricity Market (SEM) first went live in 2007 and SONI was acquired by Eirgrid in 2009. In the next few years the sector is expected to play a critical role in the development of the power industry as a whole.

The Utility Regulator considers it appropriate now to undertake a review of these arrangements to ensure they will be fit for purpose going forward, in particular by being appropriately designed and implemented so as to secure the protection of the interests of consumers and other stakeholders and allow for the implementation of regulatory policy.

Today the we publish a Call for Evidence on SONI governance arrangements.

We now consider it appropriate to undertake a review of the governance arrangements of the electricity transmission system operator, SONI, to ensure the company is, and will continue to be, fit for purpose in securing the protection of the interests of consumers and other stakeholders.

This paper is the first stage in the review of governance arrangements.  At this stage, we are seeking views of all interested stakeholders as to any issues that may arise from the SONI governance arrangements in the light of recent, and the likely future, industry developments.

Responses received will assist us in identifying whether there are any issues with SONI’s governance arrangements and (if so) in understanding what steps may be needed to address them.

The responses to this call for evidence will help to shape our policy thinking and, in due course, may shape the content of a separate consultation.

Representations may be made on or before 5pm on 1 October 2019.

Responses can be sent in writing to or by emailing. Our preference is for responses to be submitted by e-mail.

Updated 12 August 2019 - Additional information on responding has been published on our website