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In developing the offshore electricity transmission regime the Government has carried out a number of public consultations on key issues:
On 23 March 2009, Government published a response to the consultation: 'Offshore Electricity Transmission - A further joint Ofgem/DECC Regulatory Policy Update' (Final Consultation document). This document sets out our joint policy proposals and timetable for implementation of the new offshore transmission regime. This consultation also sets out the final proposed changes to the various codes and licence conditions to implement the proposals. These have been developed in the light of the views expressed by respondents to the November 2008 Regulatory Policy Update and other engagement with stakeholders.
On 20 November 2008 Ofgem and DECC published a consultation document: Offshore Electricity Transmission - A Further Joint Ofgem/DECC Regulatory Policy Update. This document gives a refinement to our policy positions on the detailed design of the regulatory regime as well as the revised drafts of the codes and licences developed following responses to the June 2008 policy update and other stakeholder engagement. We believe that the design of the offshore transmission regime will benefit from this additional consultation by giving stakeholders a further opportunity to submit views on these updated proposals.
On 13 June 2008 BERR and Ofgem published a further consultation document. This document set out further proposals for the design of the competitive offshore transmission regime and consulted on the licence and industry code changes associated with the new regime. It followed on from previous consultations and policy statements.
This document formed part of the consultation process jointly undertaken by the Government and Ofgem to establish a regulatory regime for offshore electricity transmission. It set out a way forward for modifying electricity transmission licence conditions. It provided an overview of the proposed structure of the standard conditions in electricity transmission licences in order to accommodate new offshore electricity transmission licensees and set out proposed modifications to standard conditions for offshore transmission licensees and the Great Britain System Operator.
This consultation sought views on our initial proposals for the licencing and regulatory framework that will apply to offshore electricity transmission networks. The Government Response, published in January 2008, set out decisions in a number of key areas concerning the competitive tender process and transitional arrangements and addressed the key concerns raised in the consultation responses.
This consultation sought views on the OTEG's review of the existing technical rules governing onshore networks and invited comments on the recommendations for minimum security requirements for offshore electricity transmission networks.
The Government decision to broadly accept the majority of the GB SQSS Sub-Group Final Recommendations was published in April 2007.
This consultation sought views on the proposal to exempt operators of offshore distribution systems by way of a class exemption from the requirement for a distribution licence.
The Government published its response to the consultation in March 2006 and decided that the proposal to establish a class exemption for offshore distribution was the correct approach, given the limited number of offshore distribution systems and the low volume of electricity conveyed through them.
This consultation sought views on the appropriate model for licencing offshore transmission connections.
The Government published its response to the consultation in March 2007 and decided that the offshore transmission owner should be selected by means of a competitive tender for the right to connect specific offshore generation assets – as opposed to the area based monopoly approach to licensing transmission owners that exists onshore.
This consultation sought views on the proposal that NGET should be the designated offshore system operator (SO).
The Government announced in August 2006 that NGET's role as system operator will be extended offshore.
This consultation sought views on the high-level options for the regulation of offshore electricity transmission.
The Government published its response to the consultation in March 2006 and decided to extend the existing principles of onshore electricity transmission to the offshore environment.
