Today the Utility Regulator issues its decision to maintain the current seasonal multiplier factors to be applied to non-annual capacity bookings in the postalised tariff from 1 October 2021.
The annual consultation on these factors was published 15 March 2021 as required by EU Regulation 2017/460, the Network Code on Harmonised Transmission Tariff Structures for Gas (“TAR NC”), as amended following EU Exit.
Seasonal multipliers factors apply to non-annual entry capacity products, for example monthly or daily capacity bookings, by applying a factor which either increases or decreases the relevant proportion of the annual tariff. The seasonal factors reflect the seasonality of gas flows during the year and are set to incentivise suppliers to make more use of the network in the summer and shift demand away from the winter peak. The multiplier factor incentivises the use of annual capacity. The tariff for a non-annual capacity product is calculated by multiplying the annual tariff by the appropriate seasonal multiplier factor. These have been included in the gas transmission charging regime since October 2015.
We received seven responses to the consultation from:
- Electricity Association of Ireland (EAI)
- EP Ballylumford and EP Kilroot
- ESB Generation and Trading (ESB GT)
- GMO NI, on behalf of NI TSOs
- Power NI Energy Limited Power Procurement Business (PPB)
- SSE
- One response was confidential
The respondents were supportive of the proposal to maintain the current factors and, as those factors meet the requirements of the EU Regulation and, following consideration of the responses received, we have decided to maintain them for Gas Year 21/22.
Following consideration of the responses received, we are indicating that any recommendation to amend the factors following the planned review in 2022 would apply from Gas Year 23/24, one year later than indicated, in order to provide longer notice.
Copies of all documents can be made available in large print, Braille, audio cassette and a variety of minority languages if required.
Please contact Jillian Ferris on 028 9031 1575 or email: Gas_networks_responses@uregni.gov.uk with cc to jillian.ferris@uregni.gov.uk to request this.