The Utility Regulator today publishes its final price control determination for NI Water for the period 2013-15 (often referred to as PC13). The publication of the determination follows a public consultation on a draft determination.
Key features of price control determination are:
• Lower charges for consumers - charges will fall by an overall average of 6% below inflation in each of the two years (2013-15).
• Investment in water and sewerage assets - £324 million will be invested on prioritised and targeted areas to deliver specified infrastructure improvements.
• Higher levels of service – an improvement in the ‘overall performance assessment’ (OPA) score, narrowing the gap between NI Water and the average water company in GB.
• A more efficient company – delivering a further 5% per year operational efficiencies to reduce the benchmarked 38% operational efficiency gap, while at the same time improving services.
Commenting on the final determination, Utility Regulator Chief Executive, Shane Lynch, said:
“Our final determination focuses on delivering positive outcomes for water and sewerage consumers, maximising service improvements within the fixed capital budget available from public expenditure. Our determination challenges NI Water to deliver better value for its consumers, requiring it to reduce its operating costs further while improving the service to its consumers.
“Northern Ireland’s water industry can be as efficient, and provide as good a service, as anywhere in the world. NI Water has made strides towards this goal in delivering its first price control (PC10). PC13 seeks to continue NI Water’s journey towards this goal.”