Issue link: https://fhpublishing.uberflip.com/i/1162971
NETWORK / 31 / SEPTEMBER 2019 than the costs at this stage. We are not scru- tinising their nance proposals. TM: We're looking closely at all material areas of the plans, from asset management and reliability to future energy networks and a ordability. Our ultimate challenge across all areas is to assess National Grid's stakeholder engagement and ask whether the plans are clearly linked to the right outcomes for end consumers. MB: We are scrutinising the company's plans for investment for the future, customer service and social obligations, environment, and how the company will prepare the gas network for the future while keeping customers' bills as low as possible. And central to our role is taking a detailed look at Wales & West Utilities stakeholder engagement approach and to critically examine their plans and strategies to act on the feedback they are gathering. TB: The group will scrutinise all aspects of the plan, except the detailed nancial aspects (this is the remit of the challenge group). It's crucial the CEG assesses the overall deliverability of the plan to be con- dent that the business can achieve its ED2 ambitions and performance commitments. Q What are your views on Ofgem's consumer vulnerability strategy? MF: We have not discussed this as a CEG (as it goes much wider than RIIO) but welcome Ofgem's focus on vulnerable customers in RIIO. TM: Consumer vulnerability is a dynamic concept that is as much about the opera- tion of the market as it is about consumers' individual circumstances and situations. Ofgem is working hard to create the right landscape for transmission, distribution and supply companies to be able to deliver reliable, a ordable energy to all consum- ers. We continue to challenge National Grid on how they are making sure stakeholders understand their plans and that they tackle vulnerability issues not in isolation but with the right partners to help keep costs as e‰ cient as possible. MB: Ofgem's new consumer vulnerability strategy gives a framework by which Wales & West Utilities and other energy networks can measure the support they o er to the most vulnerable in society. While Wales & West Utilities already have a good record on supporting those most in need, this over- arching strategy will help us make sure that their plan for the next ve years is rigorous and measurable. TB: The Ofgem strategy recognises the varied causes of vulnerability. This is very positive as it ensures the businesses assess their services through many lenses; cost to consumers, accessibility of information, en- suring consumers feel safe when visits are required, impact of disruption and how to help consumers cope with a loss of supply. Areas that I expect to see developed further are how businesses and community groups better engage vulnerable consumers in ar- eas such as embedded generation projects, local energy schemes and energy e‰ ciency opportunities. Q How do you ensure the group properly refl ects the views of communities that you represent? MF: We aim to anchor our views in the research and engagement that SGN has done. In addition, most CEG members are well plugged in to wider debates across the industry and hence will o' en hear directly from customers and stakeholders about the issues they face. TM: Our members were selected to repre- sent consumer, environmental and public interest groups, as well as large-scale and small-scale customers, distribution net- works and the Electricity System Operator. Members were appointed on the basis of their expertise and experience and with the remit to represent their constituency rather than their company. MB: The members of the Wales & West Utilities CEG are drawn from a diverse range of backgrounds, with experience in the private, public and charitable sector. With voices from business, interest groups and academia, and of course, from both England and Wales, we're well placed to comment on the company's plans, while balancing the needs of the wide range of customers Wales & West Utilities serves. TB: There are two ways the group can re" ect the views of the communities. Firstly, there will be group members who are knowledge- able and respected community representa- tives. For us this means representatives from SSEN's two geographic areas as well as vulnerable consumers and business con- sumers. It is not possible, however, to have a group that directly represents every com- munity so, secondly, the group will meet with various community representatives and nationally recognised consumer rep- resentative bodies to understand how well they have been engaged by the business. Q What sort of feedback does the group offer and how do you ex- pect this to be acted upon? MF: Sometimes we might just be ask- ing questions or making suggestions in response to presentations. We also have a challenge log for more material points where we are clear that SGN needs to do PARTICIPANTS: Maxine Frerk (MF), chair, customer engagement group, SGN. Trisha McAuley (TM) OBE, independent chair, National Grid Electricity and Gas Transmission User Groups. Dr Mike Brooker (MB), chair of Wales & West Utilities customer engagement group. Tracey Barlow (TB), independent chair of Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks' new RIIO- ED2 customer engagement group.