The Utility Regulator today publishes a decision paper on the framework for the delivery of contestability in Northern Ireland. This will allow customers the choice of an alternative provider for some connections work known as ‘contestable work’.
We will introduce contestability for all types of electricity connections within Northern Ireland. This will be delivered by:
• working with NIE and SONI on their implementation plan;
• modifying NIE’s and SONI’s licenses to ensure that if an asset is constructed contestably, to NIE and SONI standards, that the licence holder will have a duty to adopt the asset; and
• reviewing contestability when the framework is in place to ensure that competition is not hindered.
This decision paper follows consultation on a proposed next steps paper that was issued on 11 May 2015. This consultation closed on 19 June 2015 and the responses below were received:
UFU
Telestructure International Ltd
SSE
SONI
RES
Simple Power
NIRIG
Powercon
NIE Ltd
Lightsource
Energia
NIE and SONI had previously submitted timelines for implementation which can be found here. We will continue to work with NIE and SONI to reduce these timelines.
We have asked SONI and NIE to publish draft implementation guidelines in August 2015 for consultation, with a phased implementation initiated in Q1 2016.
Copies of all documents can be made available in large print, Braille, audio cassette and a variety of relevant minority languages if required.