Incentive on Connections Engagement: Qualitative assessment of the distribution network operators’ (DNOs) performance in 2015-2016

Decision

As our assessment of the first year of the Incentive on Connections Engagement (ICE) comes to a close, we are pleased at the evident progress of DNOs towards good engagement with their stakeholders. This is, in turn, helping DNOs to deliver services that better meet the needs of their customers. We can see this improvement directly in the generally good quality of the ICE plans and reports. It is also evident in the largely positive response to our consultation on the ICE submissions.

This year we have determined that all DNOs met the minimum criteria. We will not, therefore, apply any penalties. We consulted separately on Northern Powergrid’s delivery of one of its commitments. Following this consultation, Northern Powergrid was able to provide additional information to satisfy us that it had delivered its commitment. We considered that this evidence was sufficient to demonstrate that Northern Powergrid has met the minimum criteria. We therefore determined that no penalties should apply.

This decision and our reasons are explained in full in our decision document.