Consultation launched on licence modifications to NIE Networks' Distribution Licence

Published:

Consultation opened on . Closing date at 17:00.

Summary

The proposed licence modifications consultation relates to implementation of increasing the socialisation of connection reinforcement costs of electricity distribution network. This results in the shifting of responsibility for covering the costs of reinforcing the network from the individual connecting customer to the wider Northern Ireland customer base.

The Utility Regulator has published a public consultation and notice under Article 14 of the Electricity (NI) Order 1992 on proposed modifications to NIE Netwoks’ Distribution Licence. The consultation reflects our commitment to adopt the policy set out in the Department for Economy’s (DfE) ‘Fairer Grid Connection Costs’ document.

The consultation sets out our proposals for modifications to Annex 2 within NIE Networks Distribution Licence. These modifications will facilitate the adoption of DfE’s policy decision, which will increase the socialisation of connection reinforcement costs of the electricity distribution network.

We welcome industry and stakeholder views and comments on the outlined licence modifications proposals and their effect. Any representations or objections with respect to the proposals may be made on or before 5:00pm on 17 February 2026.

Our preference is for responses to be sent via email to kenny.mcpartland@uregni.gov.uk with cc to electricity_networks_responses@uregni.gov.uk

Further information: 

  • Your response may be made public by the Utility Regulator. If you do not want all or part of your response or name made public, please state this clearly in the response by marking your response as ‘CONFIDENTIAL’.
  • If you want other information that you provide to be treated as confidential, please be aware that, under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, there is a statutory Code of Practice with which public authorities must comply and which deals, amongst other things, with obligations of confidence. In view of this, it would be helpful if you could explain to us why you regard the information you have provided as confidential.

  • Information provided in response to this consultation, including personal information, may be subject to publication or disclosure in accordance with the access to information regimes (these are primarily the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the Data Protection Act 2018.

  • As stated in the GDPR Privacy Statement for consumers and stakeholders, any personal data contained within your response will be deleted once the matter being consulted on has been concluded, though the substance of the response may be retained. 

  • Copies of all documents can be made available in large print, Braille, audio cassette and a variety of relevant minority languages if required.

 

Ways to respond

Kenny McPartland, Utility Regulator, Millennium House, 16-22 Great Victoria St, Belfast BT2 7AQ.