We have published our February newsletter, which provides an update on our work over the past month.
In addition to our daily operations, this month has seen us spending time out of the office engaging directly with stakeholders.
On Tuesday 3 February, our Chief Executive, John French, visited Parliament Buildings at Stormont with our Executive Director of Price Controls, Networks and Energy Futures, Peter Russell, and our Executive Director of Markets, Consumer Protection and Enforcement, Kevin Shiels.
Together, they met with MLAs from several parties to brief them on the latest developments in the Utility Regulator’s work.
On 4 February, we introduced new measures to strengthen protections for Northern Ireland’s non‑domestic electricity and gas consumers.
We commenced a formal review of the gas tariffs for domestic and small business customers of SSE Airtricity Gas Supply (Greater Belfast and West areas) and Firmus Energy (Ten Towns area) on 5 February.
On the same date, we welcomed the launch of the Warm Healthy Homes Strategy by Communities Minister, Gordon Lyons.
Our Markets Monitoring Analysis Manager, Owen Kearns, and Financial Technology Higher Level Apprentice, Josh Blair, attended the E-world Energy and Water 2026 trade fair in Essen, Germany on 10 and 11 February.
On 17 and 18 February, we were pleased to host the UK Regulators’ Network at our office in Belfast. During the visit, we introduced the organisation to our various Directorates and briefed them on the work that we are doing across electricity, gas and water regulation, as well as our priorities for the year ahead.
Our Director of Networks and Energy Futures, Brian Mulhern, and Markets Director, Colin Broomfield, attended an industry roundtable on 18 February.
Hosted by the Department for the Economy, the session focused on energy costs for energy intensive and high growth sectors.
This month, we also welcomed the introduction of NIE Networks’ Vulnerable Customer Strategy 2026–2028, which builds on existing services and introduces enhanced measures to ensure that every customer, regardless of age, ability, health, or personal circumstances receives a little extra support if they need it.
Throughout February, we published other important documents.
These include:
- Our determination on the financial incentive for SONI’s Annual Forward Plan 2025/2026 (4 February.)
- Stakeholder responses to the SONI Evaluative Performance Framework: Annual Performance Report 2024/2025 (12 February.)
In this edition, we’re spotlighting our Non-domestic Consumer Protection Manager, Colin Magee, and Regulatory Analyst, Lauren Skillen-Baine, both of whom have supported the recent implementation of key licence modifications to improve protections for non‑domestic electricity and gas consumers in Northern Ireland.
We are also recruiting for a number of exciting opportunities across the organisation, including:
- Finance Officer - closing on 3 March.
Further details on our consultations, recruitment, and latest news can be found at: www.uregni.gov.uk.
We would be delighted to hear any feedback you have on our newsletter and any issues you would like to see covered in future editions, via info@uregni.gov.uk.