The Utility Regulator an independent non-ministerial government department, with statutory responsibility for Northern Ireland’s electricity, gas, water, and sewerage industries. We are governed by a publicly appointed Board. Our work is based on our statutory duties which include: ELECTRICITY To protect the interests of electricity consumers in regards to price and quality of service, by promoting effective competition where appropriate. GAS To promote the development and maintenance of an efficient, economic, and coordinated gas industry. WATER To protect the interests of water and sewerage consumers by promoting an efficient industry which delivers high quality services.
Ambition Statement
In April 2024 we launched our new Corporate Strategy ‘Protecting Consumers on the way to net Zero’. This ambitious five year strategy makes clear our commitment to supporting the delivery of Net Zero decarbonisation targets, whilst making sure consumers are protected.
We are determined that we and the enterprises we regulate will meet these challenges head on. As an organisation we are clear that now is not the time for a piecemeal approach to how we influence and regulate the energy and water sectors towards achieving the set goals. Our strategy makes clear our commitment to supporting the delivery of net zero targets, and we identify this as a key strategic objective. We recognise that, in meeting net zero targets and moving to a low carbon future, we need a Just Transition. This transition must be fair to all and ensure the protection of both current and future consumers. Our vision is that Northern Ireland’s energy and water consumers deserve the best from the companies and enterprises that serve them.
We recognise also that as Northern Ireland’s utility regulator, we have a vital role to play in ensuring the delivery of important strategic agendas. Our strategy sets out our role as a bold enabler, requiring us to be a more pro-active and positive force that collaborates, partners and regulates to make sure that strategic aspirations are met.
Specific Information and Guidelines for Companies and groups of companies who plan to form Clusters.
Categories of the “Deemed Connection Agreements” and in particular those that apply to NI companies and clusters of companies depending on size and power usage.
NIE Networks connection agreements can be viewed here - Connection Agreements | Northern Ireland Electricity Networks (nienetworks.co.uk)
If you do not have an individual signed connection agreement you will have a deemed connection agreement.
There are 2 types depending on how you are connected :
Note that Customers who wish to connect generation that operates in parallel with the NIE network are required, under The Electricity Supply Regulations, to have the written agreement of NIE. Depending on your size of generation / activity this will influence whether you need a licence or are licence exempt and therefore will depend if you need a signed or deemed connection agreement.
Under The Electricity (Northern Ireland) Order 1992 (legislation.gov.uk), there is a prohibition on unlicensed supply, generation, transmission and distribution of electricity, so to do this you either have to be licenced (Applying for a licence | Utility Regulator (uregni.gov.uk)) and applications must include all information required by the Electricity (Applications for Licences and Extensions of Licences) (No. 2) Regulations(Northern Ireland) 2007 or you meet the requirements of the Electricity (Class Exemptions from the Requirement for a Licence) Order (Northern Ireland) 2013 (legislation.gov.uk).
Whether you are licenced or meet the class exemptions from the requirement of a licence, all connecters are signed up to comply with NIE Networks Distribution Code and the SONI Grid code.
All connections can fall into two types;
In the NIE’s Statement of Charges the Connect asset is defined as those assets required to connect the customer’s assets to the Distribution System, including, as appropriate, civil works, electrical lines, electrical plant, meters, telemetry and data processing equipment; and those assets required to reinforce the Distribution System which are at the connection voltage level and one voltage level above.
Currently in 2024, under the current connection policy if you are connecting at LV, you would be required to pay for the costs to reinforce the LV level and the 11KV level, however the connectee is currently not required to pay for the costs of the level above that e.g. 33kv.
Now we are reviewing that policy in conjunction with DfE with the possibility of socialising connection costs. - Call for Evidence - Electricity Connection Policy Framework Review | Utility Regulator (uregni.gov.uk).
We will be going out with a joint consultation on next steps with DfE shortly. Note further socialisation of connections costs will increase customers’ bills.
We also introduced competition for electricity connections, parts of the connection process are now contestable, further info can be found at - https://www.uregni.gov.uk/contestability-working-group & http://www.nienetworks.co.uk/Connections/Competition-in-Connections.
The Utility Regulator (Support for Decarbonisation Preparation) Bill -
The Department for the Economy is seeking views on a new Bill designed to empower the Utility Regulator to support the Department in the development of essential net-zero energy policies. “The Utility Regulator (Support for Decarbonisation Preparation) Bill – can be viewed at :
https://www.economy-ni.gov.uk/consultations/utility-regulator-support-decarbonisation-preparation-bill
Please note that the Consultation closes on 16 August 2024 at 17:00.
The current charging methodology in the Statement of Charges produced by NIE provides information for domestic customers and small business that require a new connection.Under Article 19 of The Electricity (Northern Ireland) Order 1992 NIE has a duty, upon being required to do so by the owner or occupier of any premises, to give a supply of electricity to those premises. In meeting such a request NIE may require any expenses reasonably incurred in providing it to be defrayed by the person requiring the supply of electricity to such extent as is reasonable in all the circumstances. Therefore NIE is required by its Licence to prepare a statement, approved by the Authority, setting out the basis upon which charges will be made for connection to the Distribution System.
By virtue of Condition 32.1(b) of the Licence NIE is required to prepare a statement approved by the UR setting out the basis upon which charges will be made for connection to the Distribution System and this statement is published to meet that obligation. They do this on an annual basis.
The current charging statement can be found here - NIE Networks' Statement of Charges | Northern Ireland Electricity Networks
There have been a number of updates to the statements of charges recently that an Industrial Decarbonisation Cluster would need to be aware off, eg
The Renewables Grid Liaison Group was set-up in 2012 in response to the Northern Ireland Executive’s 40% renewable energy target, to facilitate a coordinated response from the electricity industry. The group includes representatives from the Utility Regulator, SONI Ltd, NIE Ltd, and the renewable generation sector.
The purpose of the group is:
The Group meets regularly and its minutes can be found at - https://www.uregni.gov.uk/renewables-grid-liaison-group
We are also the dispute body which means that if someone has an issue with one of the licensee that we have the authority to make a ruling on in. - Investigations and enforcement | Utility Regulator.
https://www.economy-ni.gov.uk/articles/electricity-consumption-and-renewable-generation-statistics
Renewable electricity capacity and generation (ET 6.1) Gov stats
Findings of Renewable Energy in Northern Ireland inquiry published - Committees - UK Parliament
From a retail point of view, The Utility Regulator also publishes “Transparency reports”
Latest Quarterly Retail Energy Market Monitoring report.
Please review the Utility Regulator consultations page at - Consultations | Utility Regulator (uregni.gov.uk)
For events, please browse everything on the Utility Regulator’s consultations page - Consultations | Utility Regulator (uregni.gov.uk)
Latest Quarterly Retail Energy Market Monitoring report.
Utility Regulator
Queens House 14 Queen Street Belfast BT1 6ED