Electricity
We are responsible for regulating Northern Ireland’s electricity industry. The electricity industry was privatised in 1992, and since then, privately owned power stations at Ballylumford, Coolkeeragh and Kilroot generated energy that was purchased by the former public electricity company, Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE), who subsequently supplied all customers in Northern Ireland.
Beginning in 1999, in response to EU legislation and policy, the non domestic electricity supply market was opened up to competition in stages over several years. NIE was then no longer the sole supplier as several new companies entered the market to compete in offering non-domestic customers a choice of electricity supplier. For more detail on competition and market opening please click here.
The annual electricity consumption in Northern Ireland is in the region of 8 TWh and the peak demand in 2007 was 1,669 MW. There were 790,500 electricity customers in 2007 of which 726,200 (92%) were domestic customers. Small and medium enterprises (SME) accounted for a further 6% of customers and larger industrial and commercial (I&C) consumers the remaining 2%. Despite the substantial proportion of domestic consumers the volume of electricity consumed by each sector is reasonably similar, albeit domestic consumption now accounts for almost 40% of the total.
The Single Electricity Market
Another important development in promoting competition was the establishment of the Single Electricity Market (SEM) on 1 November 2007 (this milestone included the opening of the domestic electricity supply market to competition).
The introduction of the SEM means that all electricity generated on the island is now fed in to a central ‘pool’. From the ‘pool’ all electricity suppliers on the island buy their electricity at a single clearing price and then supply their customers – regardless of their location. The SEM creates much improved arrangements for the trading of electricity and providing a stronger basis for attracting new entrants into the electricity retail market and for the further development of competition. For further information on the SEM please visit the All Island Project website which contains more background, related documentation and updates.
What is NIE Ltd’s Role in the Eligible Market?
Northern Ireland Electricity Ltd (NIE Ltd) is the owner of all the electricity transmission and distribution (T&D) lines in Northern Ireland (hence the company often being referred to as NIE T&D or ‘the network business’). It essentially allows your supplier to use its network to get electricity to you and it makes a regulated charge for this.
All customers are treated equally by NIE Ltd irrespective of which supplier they have. This is enforced by the Utility Regulator.
Certainty of electricity supply does not depend on which supplier you choose. NIE Energy can offer no more certainty in this respect than any other supplier in the event of a generation problem or system failure which may result in the loss of electrical power.
Since November 2007, NIE Ltd have also been responsible for metering services, a service previously undertaken by NIE Energy. NIE Ltd are now responsible for meter installation and reading.
To this effect, NIE Ltd should not be confused with NIE Energy, and any correspondence you receive from NIE Ltd should not be ignored, regardless of who your supplier is, as it may be with regard to meter reading or any other meter issues.
If you have a problem regarding a meter reading or a supply fault, please contact NIE Ltd on 08457 643 643.
What Role do Suppliers have in the Market?
All active suppliers are licensed by the Utility Regulator to supply electricity in Northern Ireland.
Most suppliers, with the exception of Power NI (formerly NIE Energy), whose prices are still regulated by the Utility Regulator, do not sell to each customer on a standard tariff but on negotiated contractual terms. The supplier will provide you with your electricity needs and bill you accordingly. This bill will also include any charges in relation, to use of the transmission and distribution system. These charges are distributed evenly on all suppliers on a per unit basis.
Power NI still offers its customers a published tariff. Details of these prices can be found by clicking this link
How do I switch to a different supplier?
If you are a domestic customer you are free to choose your electricity supplier. Once you have decided which is best for you, contact your chosen supplier and they will assist you through the standard process of switching. Advice is available from the Consumer Council in their helpful guide to switching domestic electricity supplier.
If you are a non-domestic customer, there is also a standard process associated with switching supplier. Information can be obtained from contacting any of the suppliers listed below and they will guide you through the process.
Your new supplier may initially request your historic load data (i.e. historic electricity consumption pattern). This information can be requested from NIE Ltd on 08457 643 643 or by email at and the supplier will use it to provide you with a quotation of electricity supply. In order to comply with the terms of the Data Protection Act the supplier can only obtain historic load data on your behalf with your written consent.
You will need to sign a Connection Agreement with NIE Ltd. To enable an appropriate Connection Agreement to be put in place you must agree a Maximum Import Capacity with NIE Ltd. Maximum Import Capacity is the maximum capacity NIE Ltd has agreed is available for your connection and will be based on:
- the capacity (in kVA) agreed between NIE Ltd and yourself under your original letter of offer (i.e. Terms of Supply); or
- your highest recorded maximum demand (in kVA) in any half hour, in any day, in the current year.
If you have a Maximum Import Capacity greater than 70kVA and you do not already have one, you will need to get installed a half-hour online meter. This will have a communication line that enables NIE Ltd to retrieve your half-hour load data. NIE Ltd will use this information for billing or send it to your relevant supplier for billing purposes. This will have a typical installation time of approximately five weeks.
For further information on agreeing your maximum import capacity with NIE Ltd, or on how to make any enquiries regarding it, refer to www.niegetconnected.co.uk or telephone NIE Ltd on 08457 643 643.
If at any time you wish to increase your demand or make any significant change to your connection, electric lines or electrical equipment, or install or operate generating equipment, or to do anything else that could affect NIE Ltd’s network or require alterations to your connection, you must contact NIE Ltd in advance.
If you are in debt to your current supplier, as a non-domestic customer, your current supplier may block the transfer and require you to pay any money owed before you are allowed to switch. This does not affect domestic customers as they cannot be blocked from switching on the grounds of debt.
Suppliers
For supplier details please go to the supplier contact information section of our website.
What Role does the Consumer Council have in the market?
The Consumer Council is an independent statutory body that aims to promote and safeguard the interests of all consumers in Northern Ireland.
The Consumer Council has an energy section that deals with complaints and gives consumer advice about electricity issues, liaise with customers, energy companies and other relevant parties, and undertake research and produce publications on issues such as fuel poverty, energy efficiency, renewable energy and fuel prices. Essentially The Consumer Council provides free, impartial information and handles complaints on behalf of consumers who have been unable to resolve problems directly with their electricity supplier or meter operator.
You can contact the Consumer Council by letter, telephone, fax or e-mail:
The Consumer Council
Elizabeth House
116 Holywood Road
Belfast
BT4 1NY
Tel: 028 9067 2488
Freephone complaints line: 0800 1216022
Fax: 028 9065 7701
E-mail:
www.consumercouncil.org.uk
What was the Utility Regulator’s role in market opening?
The principal objective of the Utility Regulator is to protect the interests of consumers of electricity supplied by authorised suppliers, wherever appropriate by promoting effective competition between persons engaged in, or in commercial activities connected with, the generation, transmission or supply of electricity.
The Utility Regulator is therefore responsible for overseeing the operation of NIE’s regulated businesses (NIE Transmission and Distribution business (NIE Ltd)), NIE Energy Supply, NIE PPB and Northern Ireland System Operator (SONI) and for safeguarding the interests of electricity customers.
Electricity licences
Details of how to apply for a licence to supply can be accessed here
Access to register of electricity licensees
The register of all electricity licensees are available for inspection at the offices of the Utility Regulator, Queens House, 14 Queens Street, Belfast, BT1 6ED click the Location of Utility Regulator map . 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 Sarah McKenna, 028 9031 6639 () to arrange a suitable time to inspect the documentation.
Electricity licensees
The Utility Regulator issues licences, subject to the satisfaction of certain criteria, to those who wish to engage in electricity generation or supply. We also ensure that these licences are enforced. Please note that being granted a licence does not mean that the Utility Regulator has given any endorsement to the applicant or any associated person, their financial status or their business plan or methods. The Utility Regulator does not give any guarantee or warranty that the licensee or any related person is ‘fit and proper’.
To view a list of who has been granted a licence, please use the link below:
Market opening allows the potential for further competition to develop in the electricity market. The Utility Regulator played an integral part in this.
After forming a number of working groups to develop and deliver market opening, the Utility Regulator continues to work with these groups to promote competition and remove barriers to entry to the electricity supply market.
In addition, the Utility Regulator oversees the expenditure necessary for the next stage of market opening and approves essential costs and an appropriate cost recovery mechanism. The Utility Regulator also ensures that all necessary regulatory and legal frameworks necessary for the efficient functioning of the electricity market are in place.
Who is responsible for Meter Reading?
Since November 2007, NIE Ltd (T&D) have been responsible for metering services, a service previously undertaken by NIE Energy. NIE T&D are now responsible for meter installation and reading, and the collation of the metered data.
To this effect, NIE Ltd/T&D should not be confused with NIE Energy, and any correspondence you receive from NIE Ltd should not be ignored, regardless of who your supplier is, as it may be with regard to meter reading or any other meter issues.
If you have a problem regarding a meter reading please contact NIE Ltd on 08457 643 643.