Ofgem has set out a landmark five-year vision to transform local energy grids to support the transition to a cleaner, affordable, home-grown low-carbon energy system, as part of its draft plans for the next electricity distribution price control (known as RIIO-ED2).
Consumers will not see any additional costs as result of this investment as efficiency savings and reduced investor returns deliver the cash needed.
Reliable electricity network
Over the next five years, consumers will see:
- A more secure and reliable electricity network less at risk of power cuts.
- A grid that allows for new innovations to give more control to consumers through better data and more regularly updated prices for peak and off-peak demand creating efficiencies and saving money.
- Support and guidance for vulnerable and low-income households ensuring no one misses out on the benefits of a net zero energy system.
This transition, supported by transformed energy grids, will pave the way out of relying on expensive and unreliable fossil fuel imports that leave the UK’s homes and businesses at the mercy of volatile global gas prices and the kind of geopolitical threats they’ve seen this year.
High standard of service
The DNOs will also be expected to boost levels of reliability and system resilience
As the economics of energy change, greener, home-grown energy has become the cheaper and more secure option. And new innovations mean consumers will be given more control to save money through access to better data and more regularly updated prices for peak and off-peak demand.
New smart gadgets could draw energy from the grid at cheaper rates when demand is low or it’s sunny and windy, balancing out power use, and saving consumers money.
And, as highlighted in Ofgem’s recent Storm Arwen report, the DNOs will also be expected to boost levels of reliability and system resilience to avoid outages during extreme weather events. These proposals ensure the networks are funded to deliver these improvements and make sure customers across the country receive the high standard of service that they expect.
Reinforcing local grids
Ofgem’s five-year price controls set the framework and the revenue that each of Britain's 14 Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) can earn from charges on consumers’ energy bills.
The average customer currently pays around £100 per year to meet the costs of operating, maintaining and reinforcing these local grids which are essential to the supply of electricity.
Ofgem is ensuring consumers get value for money and costs are kept to a minimum
Ofgem is ensuring consumers get value for money and costs are kept to a minimum while allowing funding for the improvements needed. Jonathan Brearley, Chief Executive of Ofgem, said: “Ofgem’s job is to ensure energy networks have achievable and affordable plans that will attract the investment needed for a more resilient energy network and achieve the government’s net zero ambition at the least cost to the consumer.”
Reduce costs for consumers
Jonathan Brearley adds, “These are challenging times, and this is the path out of relying on expensive and polluting imported fossil fuels and moving to a home-grown energy system, that exploits the best of modern technology to level out demand and reduce costs for consumers.”
He continues, “We’re determined to get the best possible deal for consumers and the proposals we’ve published today will mean that substantial additional investment can be made to deliver net zero without placing any further pressure on bills."
Jonathan Brearley adds, "We’re confident that the five-year vision we’ve outlined will help build the world class energy infrastructure needed to connect consumers to reliable, cleaner energy at an affordable price.”
Low carbon technologies
Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) have an important role to play in this process
Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) have an important role to play in this process as they will need to build the regional branches of the smarter, greener, more flexible grids and ensure the speedy connection of the growing low carbon technologies required to hit government net zero targets.
The proposed package totals £20.9 billion and includes £2.7 billion of upfront funding to boost grid capacity. Flexible funding arrangements will also mean that investment can dial up to reflect changing demands over time.
Facing extraordinary pressure
The costs of the electricity distribution grids are ultimately paid for by consumers who are currently facing extraordinary pressure on their household bills.
Ofgem is determined to get the best deal possible for consumers and is proposing tough efficiency targets for the networks along with a sharp reduction in their allowed rate of return, meaning less of consumers’ money goes to company profits. These changes mean they can accommodate a significant increase in net zero investment without increasing network charges.