Agenda and minutes

(1)  Apologies had been received from Mr Booth, Mr Brazier and Mr Chittenden.

(1)  There were no interests declared.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 1 November 2018 were a correct record and that they be signed by the Chairman.

 Mr Andrew Gibson (Head of Network Distribution, SGN) was in attendance for this item.

(1)        The Chairman welcomed Mr Gibson, who delivered a presentation about the roles and responsibilities of SGN. The presentation covered:

·   The role of SGN and how it operated;

·   Developing the network and the changing demands of customers;

·   Stakeholder engagement;

·   Looking to the future.

(2)        Mr Gibson explained that due to their monopoly status, SGN were heavily regulated by Ofgem. Ofgem set price controls, and the next period (RIIO-2) would commence in 2021 for a period of five years.

(3)        Mr Gibson informed the Committee that there were 3 bio-methane plants (producing renewable “green” gas) in Kent, with 4 more scheduled to be built in the next few years.

(4)        When developers required a gas connection that would exceed the current capacity, an economic test (set by Ofgem) was used which would determine how much they had to pay for the connection.

(5)        Mr Gibson spoke of the “energy trilemma” – achieving low carbon, sustainable energy at value for money prices.

(6)        Monitoring of the network demonstrated that the demand for energy was growing across the UK, and electricity alone would not be enough to meet this demand. The gas network needed to evolve in order to provide greater energy options.

(7)        Mr Gibson spoke about the importance of data sharing with different sectors in order to model future opportunities and deliver a better service to customers. SGN had 109 data sharing agreements in place with local authorities, including 6 of the 12 boroughs in Kent. The type of information shared included programme of works, local plans and growth agendas, as well as the delays affecting these. The information, which used to be shared just annually, was electronic and updated regularly. A Strategic Planning Report specific to each district was then created.

(8)        Members questioned why the remaining 6 boroughs in Kent had not signed up to the data sharing agreement. Mr Gibson advised that contact had not yet been made, perhaps due to initial communication problems. Carolyn McKenzie offered to help SGN get in contact with the right people.

(9)        Members discussed the disruption caused to local communities when utility providers dug up the road, and the apparent lack of coordination between them. Mr Gibson explained that utility companies did engage with each other, but it was not always possible to carry out works at the same time due to timings.

(10)     A Member questioned the success of the Kent Lane Rental Scheme in relation to the above point, whereby companies needing to close specific roads were charged to do so during busy periods. It was recognised that this issue deserved further consideration by KCC.

(11)     SGN was developing forums in local areas where utility providers and local authorities came together to discuss upcoming works. Mr Gibson advised that there was no forum in Kent at that time, but he was keen to develop one.

(12)     Mr Gibson explained that an area for improvement within SGN  ...  view the full minutes text for item 30.

Mr Zak Rich (Senior Manager – Cross Sector, Ofgem) was in attendance for this item.

(1)     The Chairman welcomed Mr Rich, who delivered a presentation about the regulator Ofgem. The presentation covered:

·   The role of the regulator;

·   The evolving nature of the energy sector;

·   The future and challenges faced;

·   The Incentive on Connections Engagement (ICE)

(2)        Ofgem were in the process of consulting on their next pricing structure, RIIO-2. Mr Rich encouraged Members to respond to the consultation, even if just certain parts or questions.

(3)        Mr Rich discussed how the energy sector was evolving into a more complex system than in the past. Projections of energy use were not always predictable – for example, the use of solar PV was greatly underestimated which resulted in numerous complications for the sector.

(4)        The energy sector was experiencing an increase in “local energy” and “prosumers”, relatively new terms that referred to individuals and communities providing energy to each other. Not yet covered by legislation, there was a need to ensure such changes were regulated appropriately to ensure enduring consumer value.

(5)        Mr Rich discussed tools for engagement.

a.    The Incentive on Connections Engagement (ICE):

·   Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) were annually incentivised to provide good service to larger or more complex connection customers

·   DNOs had to submit evidence each year (May) that they engaged with stakeholders and responded to their needs – submissions comprise:

1.    Looking back - report on last year’s activities

2.    Looking forward - plans for activities in the next year

·   Ofgem consulted stakeholders (July) to inform their assessment and published responses

·   Ofgem were able to apply penalties where DNOs had not met the minimum criteria in respect of previous year’s performance.

·   https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/you-large-electricity-connections-customer-like-housing-khalif/

Ofgem encouraged stakeholders to:

·   engage with their local DNO to ensure that their requirements were taken into consideration

·   Respond to the Ofgem consultation in summer 2019

b.    Solvable through contractual approaches, eg Ebbsfleet model

·   Consortium SPV model

·   Working through planning processes and engagement with the local network

c.    The RIIO-2 consultation would be live until 14 March 2019

·   https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications-and-updates/riio-2-sector-specific-methodology-consultation

d.    Access/TCR Review

·   Review charging mechanisms

·   Future proposals included ‘shared access’: effectively sharing capacity behind a constraint.

(6)        Carolyn McKenzie noted that this related to a key issue for the Committee – finding a way for sites to be development ready without developers being required to invest upfront. It was common for the party connecting to the grid first to pay a majority of the costs for connection, with the second connector paying much less. As referenced under the tools for engagement, the Ebbsfleet development used a model where one party paid upfront, with connectors reimbursing the shared cost as and when they connected.

(7)        Carolyn McKenzie confirmed that officer engagement with Ofgem would continue on this issue and information would be made available to the Committee.

(8)         The Committee discussed Combined Heat and Power Systems (CHPs). Carolyn McKenzie advised that KCC had looked into this area and whether it could become an energy  ...  view the full minutes text for item 31.

18^th September 2019, 2pm, Medway Room

NOTED that the next meeting of the Kent Utilities Engagement Sub-Committee would be held on 1^st April 2019, 2pm in the Medway Room, Sessions House.