Project Update
In last month’s edition we provided an update on RECCo’s Switching Programme Implementation team and the four workstreams that make up our delivery programme.
We continue to report our progress against that plan into the Switching Programme Delivery Group on a monthly basis. We are currently tracking an overall status of Amber. This means delivery risks have been identified but we have either taken, or identified, actions to mitigate them.
The REC V3.0 documentation will provide the governance for the implementation of the new Central Switching Service (CSS) and Switching Programme arrangements.
REC V3.0 drafting was consulted on by Ofgem in March 2021 and industry responses have since been reviewed in open forum under the Regulatory Design User Group (RDUG).
RDUG members are continuing to scrutinise REC V3.0 Schedules and Service Definitions ahead of baselining under the Ofgem led Regulatory Group.
At its November meeting, Ofgem’s Regulatory Group baselined the following REC V3.0 Schedules:
The above baselined REC documents are available to industry participants via the REC Portal. Further REC documents will be published on the REC Portal and the REC Code Manager will notify REC Parties once they have been baselined.
Our Switching Programme Project Manager, Dave Jones, has been working hard to pull together our RECCo Readiness Checklist. We will use this with our service providers, the Code Manager, and the Switching Programme to ensure we successfully mobilise and play our role in delivering the new switching arrangements.
As well as focusing on RECCo inputs to the programme to ensure a successful Switching Programme go-live, we have been working closely with Ofgem and DCC to determine the governance arrangements as responsibility transitions from the Switching Programme to RECCo post go-live.
We are working collaboratively at all levels in each organisation, meeting to discuss and agree matters such as Ofgem’s Exit Criteria, RECCo’s Acceptance Criteria, Change and Release Management, Performance Reporting, Service Management and operational handoffs between the Switching Operator and REC Code Manager.
From 1st December 2021, parties will no longer be able to access MRA documents from the MRASCo website or Huddle space. This follows the transition of the MRA requirements to REC on 1st September. We have made arrangements for certain information, for example the historic change register and meeting papers to be transferred to us so that they can continue to be made available to the parties who could previously access them. If you want to access an historical MRA document, send a request to a dedicated email address: historicaldataaccess@retailenergycode.co.uk and we will endeavour to respond within three working days. Any access restrictions that previously applied would apply for access through RECCo. Access to certain confidential information (e.g. ‘closed session’ papers) or information not pertinent to Retail Code Consolidation (e.g. corporate records such as Board minutes) will not be provided under these arrangements.
As a short-term measure until the EMAR Data Specifications enhancement project has completed in February 2022, RECCo will be ensuring the MRA’s Data Transfer Catalogue (DTC) continues to be available to parties until February 2022. This is a static version of the DTC and has not been updated since 1st September 2021. Up-to-date information on data is available on the EMAR which can be accessed via the REC Portal.
If you have any questions regarding the project please speak to Andrew Wallace at: info@retailenergycode.co.uk
