Utility Regulator consults on possible framework for gas retail market

The Utility Regulator and the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) today published a Gas Retail Paper as part of the Common Arrangements for Gas (CAG) project. The Gas Retail Paper seeks views on the high level issues related to the development of a possible framework for the retail gas market in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. In Northern Ireland a consultation has already taken place in relation to retail gas and electricity competition’, and the outcome of this consultation will be considered alongside this work stream.

In addition, the Regulatory Authorities published a discussion paper on the options for the gas operational regime on 21st May 2008. This set out the options associated with an operational system. The discussions in that paper are outside the scope of this work stream, however, respondents should give consideration to the possible operational regimes in which the retail market could operate. 

Comments on the paper are welcome and should be submitted to Neil Bingham (neil.bingham@niaur.gov.uk) and/or Robert O’Rourke (rorourke@cer.ie) preferably in electronic format, before close of business on Friday 5th December 2008.

It is the intention of the Regulatory Authorities to publish all responses, therefore any confidential responses should be clearly marked as such and, where possible, placed in a separate annex of your response.