This month’s newsletter provides stakeholders with an update on our progress in delivering the RECCo Strategy and Forward Work Plan, published in April.
A major part of our forward work plan for the year ahead is supporting the implementation of Ofgem’s switching programme, with the new switching arrangements, including the operation of the Central Switching Service (CSS), being governed under the Retail Energy Code (REC).
I’m pleased to report that RECCo is making good progress in its readiness in most areas. In particular, all REC Version 3.0 drafting has now been baselined following the Switching Programmes Regulatory Groups approval – a key milestone for us.
To aid stakeholders understanding on what REC Version 3.0 involves, the REC Code Manager hosted an informative session with stakeholders on 12 May 2022. You can find how to access the recording of the webinar alongside our readiness for go-live later within the newsletter.
We are continuing to develop the new contractual arrangements for the service management of the Electricity Enquiry Service (EES) and Gas Enquiry Services (GES) for CSS go-live. While the EES contract discussions are on track, we flagged the GES contract readiness as “Red” this month owing to progress being behind schedule. We are actively working closely with Xoserve and keeping Ofgem abreast of developments to resolve.
In other news, RECCo’s programme to implement the Market Stabilisation Charge (MSC) under the REC is firmly on track against the project plan.
We have established contracts to obtain existing industry data from central data sources to support the calculation of the MSC and we have also successfully procured, following a competitive tender process, a service provider to design, build, test and operate a service to enable the administration of the scheme.
RECCo and the Code Manager also undertook a joint stakeholder engagement session on 23rd March to describe and explain the updates made to the REC change (R0035 – Market Stabilisation Charge – Administration) which has been developed to implement the administration of the scheme, following initial industry consultation. You can find out more information on the programme within this newsletter.
The team is also busy progressing a full review of the metering codes of practices contained under the REC, with a view to consolidate the documents into a single set of arrangements and procure a single service provider for the delivery of the new accreditation scheme.
The programme is tracking ‘Green’ with over half of the consolidation drafting having been undertaken with the REC Metering Expert Panels (MEPs) input. We are inviting wider stakeholders to attend an introductory session on the 7th June 2022 to hear all about the project and to gain industry feedback into the approach being taken. This month’s newsletter provides more information on the project and how you can get involved.
I hope you enjoy this month's edition of the RECCo newsletter. As always, if you have any comments or suggestions on how we can better engage with you as our stakeholders, please get in touch with us at: info@retailenergycode.co.uk.