Effective coordination in operating and developing networks has the potential to deliver benefits for consumers. We want to ensure that network operators engage with relevant stakeholders to understand the impacts their actions may have on the wider system. We think they should look to work with others to identify alternative solutions, which may offer wider benefits even where these actions span network boundaries. This will mean providing information other parties need to take informed decisions, where they can.
Our Smart Systems and Flexibility Plan, joint with BEIS, identified Whole System outcomes as a priority area. We put the onus on industry to make immediate progress, and they are taking steps to do so, including through the Open Networks programme. We also signalled we would take action to clarify what is expected of parties in relation to existing obligations for maintaining economic, efficient and coordinated networks.
In this consultation, we are seeking your views on proposed amendments to the electricity distribution and transmission licence conditions, and accompanying guidance. The changes we are proposing would complement and underpin industry’s ongoing progress, through clarifying our expectations of electricity network licensees to support an efficient, coordinated and economical whole system.