Contestability Working Group

Contestability in Connections

The Utility Regulator has a statutory duty to promote competition, where appropriate, in the generation, transmission, distribution and supply of electricity. Our Forward Work Program 2014-15 has identified the introduction of contestability in the electricity connections market as an area where competition can be established. This will allow choice in who carries out the work associated with connecting to the electricity network in Northern Ireland.

The Utility Regulator will consult on the introduction of competition for electricity connections, with the aim of implementation in Northern Ireland in 2015.

An initial contestability workshop was held in October 2014 with stakeholders.  The slides used for this event are available below.

The Contestability Working Group convened in January 2015 and will meet every month to consider the issues surrounding the introduction of competition. A copy of the terms of reference for the group is available using the link below:

Contestability Working Group terms of reference

To provide transparency to all stakeholders, the minutes of the meetings will be published. We will also publish any presentations from our workshops and stakeholder engagement events.

Meeting minutes and other documents by date:

20/07/22

07/06/22

27/04/22

01/04/22

28/02/22

02/07/21

14/06/21

18/05/21

01/02/21

30/11/20

29/09/20

27/03/20

3/6/16

17 May 2016 – ICP Workshop Invitation

On 30 June 2016, SONI issued a consultation on the charging methodology for electricity transmission connections .

19/04/16
Minutes not yet approved.

25/3/16

26/01/16

09/09/15

04/08/15

31/07/15

30/06/15

02/06/15

12/05/15

11/05/15

05/03/15

12/02/15

28/01/15

16/01/15

02/12/14

Consultation responses:


29/10/14 - Initial workshop

09/09/14

Responses to our call for evidence:

  1. ABO Wind NI Ltd - covering letter
    ABO Wind NI Ltd - questionnaire return
  2. First Flight Wind
  3. Lightsource Renewable Energy Limited
  4. NIE - cover letter
    NIE - questionnaire return
  5. Northern Ireland Renewables Industry Group (NIRIG)
  6. PowerCon (UK) Ltd
  7. RES
  8. RBF Wind Energy Ltd
  9. Simple Power
  10. SONI Ltd
  11. SSE Airtricity
  12. Ulster Farmers Union
  13. WindNI Limited