The Utility Regulator today publishes its decision paper on licence modifications to the conveyance licences for the three gas distribution network operators (GDNs) in Northern Ireland (NI):
firmus energy (Distribution) Limited (FE);
Phoenix Natural Gas Limited (PNGL); and
SGN Natural Gas Limited (SGN)
The licence modifications in this decision paper are required to give effect to a number of regulatory decisions in different areas, including:
- GD17 final determination
- Change of form of price control for FE
- Gas to the West project
- Extension of the PNGL Licensed Area to East Down
- Licence Modifications pursuant to Gas and Electricity Licence Modification and Appeals Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015
In addition, we have included a small number of further licence modifications to address known licence drafting issues.
The purpose of the modifications is to implement the above decisions and to address known licence errors as well as some key inconsistencies between the licences held by the GDNs.
We have already consulted on licence modifications and our consultation period concluded on the 14th October 2016.
We received three responses to our consultation and these may be accessed at:
We have considered representations made in response to our consultation and include our respective decisions within the decision paper. This decision paper on licence modifications is complemented by annexes 1 to 3 showing the tracked changes to the conveyance licences for three GDNs as follows:
- Annex 1 - FE licence - modifications
- Annex 2 - PNGL licence - modifications
- Annex 3 - SGN licence - modifications
Our decision paper includes annexes 4 to 6 setting out the decision notices for the licence modifications for the three GDNs:
- Annex 4 - FE Licence Modification Decision Notice
- Annex 5 -PNGL Licence Modification Decision Notice
- Annex 6 - SGN Licence Modification Decision Notice
This series of licence modifications is scheduled to become effective from the 1st January 2017.
Any comments or queries in relation to this publication may be addressed to paul.harland@uregni.gov.uk
Paul Harland
Finance and Network Assets
Queens House
14 Queen Street
Belfast
BT1 6ED
Tel: 028 9031 1575
Email: Gas_networks_responses@uregni.gov.uk with cc to paul.harland@uregni.gov.uk
Copies of this licence modification decision paper can be made available in large print, Braille, audio cassette and a variety of minority languages if required. Please contact Paul Harland by phone (028 9031 1575) or email to Gas_networks_responses@uregni.gov.uk to request this.