Independent panel publishes report on Scottish Power Energy Network’s customer engagement

Dr Matt Hannon, Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship, is part of the Customer Engagement Group (CEG) for Scottish Power Energy Networks (SPEN) and the Group has now published its response to their RIIO-ED2 business plan.

The RIIO-ED2 price control sets the outputs that the 14 electricity Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) need to deliver for their consumers and the associated revenues they are allowed to collect for the five-year period from 2023 to 2028.

Matt said, "This represents the culmination of two years of hard work, where the CEG has been responsible for critiquing SPEN's engagement process in the development of its business plan. SPEN's business plan has now been submitted to Ofgem who will determine their allowable revenue during the period 2023-2028."

Since 2020, the CEG has carried out a robust process of providing independent challenge to SP Energy Networks on the approach taken in the business plan for the RIIO-ED2 price control period. The Group's focus has been to ensure the plan appropriately reflects the needs and preferences of consumers and stakeholders.

The CEG is an independent panel consisting of industry experts who provide crucial external examination of SPEN's plans and they look at how SPEN engage with their stakeholders, how they manage their approach to expenditure and how they account for regional variations in network planning. The CEG met monthly to review SPEN proposals before their business plan was submitted to Ofgem, and they had full access to the company's emerging thinking and senior directors. 

Matt was chosen as a result of the research he carries out into the business models, policies and technologies necessary to accelerate the transition to a socially equitable, net-zero economy. 

Published: 1 February 2022