Jon: I’m responsible for the end-to-end delivery of the REC change management process. This covers everything from making sure we’re identifying the right changes to progress, prioritising change in the right way, ensuring the change process operates smoothly and efficiently and the market is appropriately engaged, and implementing new releases of the REC into the market. I’m also responsible for ensuring that we review and continually improve the change process, so we’re always keen to understand how we can do this.• Ann – I’m responsible for the day to day management of the REC change process. This includes early engagement with anyone wanting to raise a Change Proposal, the prioritisation and progression of Change Proposals through the change process (including proactively raising Change Proposals) and the development of solutions to address retail market issues.
Ann: I’m responsible for the day to day management of the REC change process. This includes early engagement with anyone wanting to raise a Change Proposal, the prioritisation and progression of Change Proposals through the change process (including proactively raising Change Proposals) and the development of solutions to address retail market issues.
Jon: A lot! The REC change process is a new concept for our stakeholders, so there’s a lot of work going into making the right information available to assist stakeholders with understanding the new arrangements and the new system. At the same time, there are a number of Change Proposals that have been raised and are being progressed, as well as a number of Change Proposals in the backlog we need to clear. We also need to prepared for the implementation of the Central Switching Service and REC V3, as well as engaging with wider market developments such as Market-wide Half-Hourly Settlement. We’ve recently been preparing for our first standard REC release on 4th November 2021, and are also planning for future REC releases based on the known Change Proposals in the process and backlog.
Jon: The REC presents an opportunity to move away from a sole focus on industry driven reactive change, and identify proactive, forward-thinking strategic change that delivers longer term benefits to the market and consumers.
Consolidating the retail governance arrangements means we no long need to think about “MRA changes”, “SPAA changes” and “MOCOPA” changes independently, working with different Boards and Panels to address issues that cut across multiple agreements. We can simply consider “issues” and “opportunities” and address the end-to-end impacts of this across the retail market as part of a single change. This will allow the industry and the Code Manager to consider improvements that have previously been difficult to progress under previous governance but could deliver real benefits for consumers.
Ann: Since 1st September, four Change Panel meetings have been held. The focus has been getting the Panel established with the new way of working, alongside the progression of the first Change Proposals. We’ve seen 13 new Change Proposals raised so far; three Change Proposals have already been voted on, with two approved for the implementation in the November 2021 release and one awaiting Authority approval. A further five have had their Initial Assessment Reports reviewed, with three Initial Assessment Reports in progress and one has been withdrawn by the Proposer. It’s been a busy time for the first few meetings!
Ann: We really want REC Parties and our wider stakeholders to engage with the change process. There are a few ways to do this. If people haven’t already signed up for a REC Portal account, they really should. It’s easy to do and good way to find out what’s going on (sign up to the REC Portal here). Once you’re in the Portal, the ‘Change and Release’ page is the one stop shop for all things change related.
A key element is the Change Register is where you’ll find a list of all REC Change Proposals, including what stage they’re at and who’s impacted by them. From the Change Register you can access the individual Change Proposal pages – this is where we’ll publish the Change Reports and you can access lots of information about the Change Proposal (such as the impacts, solution requirements and proposed solutions). When we publish Change Reports, Change Proposals have reached a key point in the process or we’re asking for comments/responses. Either way, we’ll issue notifications. You’ll see these in the REC Portal but you can also sign up to the temporary email distribution lists to receive email notifications for any change related activity (sign up via this form).
Ann: The next six months are looking busy for the REC Change Team. As well as any new Change Proposals that get raised, we’ve got 46 issues that have been handed over from legacy codes and agreements. We’ll be doing a deep dive into each of these. It’s likely that not all of these issues will need a Change Proposal, we’ll determine the appropriate action to take as part of our analysis. This could include raising individual Change Proposals, grouping issues to address as one Change Proposal or aligning to future activity within the REC Codes Roadmap. We’ll also be preparing for the implementation of CSS and REC V3 and other industry activity such as Market-wide Half-Hourly Settlement.
Jon: I really enjoy being part of a new innovative set of arrangements that can deliver real value to the market and benefits to consumers. The longer-term opportunities that the REC presents are really exciting to me, and my favourite part of the role is working with a diverse group of experts across the Code Manager service, RECCo and the industry to develop long-term, tangible improvements to the market.
Ann: Being part of something new is exciting! I’m enjoying establishing the change process, especially engaging with industry parties and our stakeholders. Being able to develop solutions to address issues in the retail energy market is really important to me, something I’m pleased this role will allow me to do.