The Utility Regulator today publishes its price control determination for BGE (NI) covering the period 1 October 2012 to 30 September 2017. This determination will result in reduced costs for Northern Ireland consumers, estimated at £0.5 million per annum, mainly due to a reduction in the rate of return BGE (NI) is allowed to earn on its investment.
BGE (NI) owns and operates the high pressure gas transmission network between Coolkerragh Power Station in Northern Ireland and Gormonstown in the Republic of Ireland. The pipelines supply the gas distribution networks in the ten towns area operated by firmus energy and Coolkerragh power generation owned by ESB.
In April 2012, we launched a consultation paper on this issue and received the following two responses:
In addition, we carried out a consultation on the cost of debt in August 2012. We received four responses, however, one was confidential:
We also carried out a consultation in December 2011 on the BGE (NI) price control process. We received one response:
Our price control determination has been made following extensive public consultation with BGE (NI) and other stakeholders, in particular the Consumer Council for Northern Ireland. This determination follows on from the recent shadow price control determinations for the gas transmission pipelines owned by Mutual Energy Ltd.
Copies of the document will be made available in large print, Braille, audio cassette and a variety of minority languages if required.