Consultation on licence modifications to SONI SEM Operator licence

The Utility Regulator today publishes notice of its consultation on the ‘Proposed modifications to the licence to act as SEM (Single Electricity Market) Operator granted to SONI Ltd’. SONI is the electricity System Operator for Northern Ireland.

SONI SEM Operator together with Eirgrid SEM Operator form the Single Electricity Market Operator (SEMO). SEMO is responsible for administering the SEM, with SONI operating in Northern Ireland and Eirgrid in the Republic of Ireland. SEMO is licensed and regulated co-operatively by the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), in the Republic of Ireland, and the Utility Regulator in Northern Ireland.

The proposed modifications replace the current Annex 1, ‘Charging and revenue restriction’, of the SONI SEM Operator licence. The purpose of the proposed modifications is to:

• implement a tariff framework within the SONI SEM Operator licence;
• codify the current price control in place for SONI SEM Operator; and
• include a disapplication process consistent with the Utility Regulator’s decision paper on, ‘Changes to gas and electricity licences with regards to appeals to the CMA.’ 

The proposed changes to the licence are contained in Appendix 2 of the consultation paper.

Copies of the consultation paper can be made available in large print, Braille, audio cassette and a variety of relevant minority languages if required.