Consultation - Review of supplier transmission use of system charging

The Utility Regulator has received recommendations from SONI (System Operator for Northern Ireland) on changes to the methods used to calculate charges for the use of the electricity transmission system. SONI consulted upon these changes in Summer 2010.

Four aspects of the current charging system are impacted by these proposals:

* the simplification of the time bands used for charging;
* the equalisation of charges for all use of the transmission system (removal of a cross-subsidy inherent in the current tariffs);
* the termination of transmission charging rebates for distribution connected generation; and
* the use of a new cost allocation model that reflects these changes.

The Utility Regulator is consulting upon these recommendations and we welcome comments from interested parties. The consultation is relevant to suppliers of electricity, distribution connected generators, all consumers of electricity and their representative bodies.