Citizens Advice Response to Ofgem’s consultation: Heat networks registration draft guidance

Citizens Advice Response to Ofgem’s consultation: Heat networks registration draft guidance 136 KB

Citizens Advice welcomes Ofgem’s guidance to support the heat networks registration process. Registration is a critical first step in implementing Ofgem’s new regulatory framework, so it’s vital heat network operators and suppliers understand their respective roles and obligations. 

The definitions of regulated activities are clear and detailed, as are the information requirements for registration. However, we recommend developing the guidance to pre-empt some risks of the operator-led registration process. This includes incorporating functions into the digital registration platform for:

• Suppliers to alert Ofgem of their readiness to register, in cases where the operator’s failure to register is preventing suppliers from completing registration by the deadline

• Operators to alert Ofgem of their need for mediation, in cases where multiple operators cannot agree on the appointment of a nominated operator

We also recommend Ofgem foregrounds the requirement to supply vulnerability information at registration to better prepare heat network suppliers for collecting this data earlier in the registration period.