January 2010 meeting discusses Energy Bill, smart meters and changes to the Renewables Obligation

The first meeting of the new decade was affected by the poor weather, which meant only a handful of brave members were able to attend. Despite this there was a lot of material to go through since the previous meeting including the pre-Budget Report, the confirmation of smart metering policy (and the next stage to create an implementation plan), progression of the Energy Bill and significant changes to the Renewables Obligation to be implemented from April.

There was no external visitor this month, which gave the group more time to discuss the impacts of the fifth distribution price control and the common distribution charging methodology. These are causing problems for smaller suppliers as the different network charges tariffs being introduced from April all need to be taken into account as new contracts are agreed with customers.

Other areas of discussion included:

• the draft feed in tariff supplier licence conditions;
• draft carbon reduction commitment supplier licence conditions;
• BSC and CUSC Panel updates;
• indicative TNUoS tariffs for 2010-11; and
• the ongoing progression of P229 Introduction of a seasonal zonal transmission losses scheme.

The next meeting of the forum will be held on 10 February. For queries and comments, please contact us.