NIAUR consults on modifications to Phoenix Conveyance Licence

Pursuant to Article 14(3) of the Gas (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 as amended by The Energy (Northern Ireland) Order 2003 the Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation (the ‘Authority’) proposes to make modifications to Part 2; Condition 2.3; Conveyance Charges, other Terms for the Conveyance of Gas and the provision of Conveyance service of the Licence which was granted to Phoenix Natural Gas Ltd.(the ‘Licensee’) under Article 8 of the Order.
The purpose of proposed modifications to is to give effect to the fundamentals of the licence restructuring agreement (the agreement) between the Authority and Phoenix Natural Gas reached in November 2006 as it applies to the distribution network. The transmission assets are dealt with elsewhere and are to be transferred to a “not-for dividend-distribution” special purpose vehicle as part of the agreement.

The effect of the proposed modifications is to place the Licensee on a sustainable long-term financial footing and to ensure distribution charges are at a level so as to allow further development of the gas supply market. The conditions and modifications set out how distribution charges are determined and revenues, cash flows and regulatory asset values are calculated at periodic price control reviews.

A draft of the public notice can be viewed using the link below.

A draft of the proposed licence conditions and modifications are attached at Annexe 1.of the consultation paper all of which can be viewed by using the link below.

Representations or objections with respect to these proposals are invited on or before 27 July 07 preferably in electronic format to: brian.mchugh@niaur.gov.uk

Brian McHugh
Gas Division
NIAUR
Queens House
14 Queen Street
Belfast
BT1 6ER
Tel: 028 9031 1575 Fax: 028 9031 1740
Email: brian.mchugh@niaur.gov.uk

NIAUR intends and prefers to publish all comments received, but is prepared to facilitate those respondents who wish certain sections of their submission to remain confidential. Accordingly, respondents that so wish should submit these sections in an appendix that is clearly marked “Confidential”.

Copies of these documents will be made available in large print, Braille, audio cassette easy read or on computer disk and a variety of relevant minority languages if required.

Notes for Editors

The Utility Regulator is the informal name for the Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation (NIAUR) the regulator of the Electrcity, Gas and Water and Sewerage industries in Northern Ireland. NIAUR’s powers are derived from the Electricity (Northern Ireland) Order 1992, the Gas (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 as amended by the Energy (Northern Ireland) Order 2003 and the Water and Sewerage Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006.

For further information contact:-

Conall McDevitt, Weber Shandwick Tel: 028 90764911, 07770 886933