The Utility Regulator has published its March newsletter, which provides an update on the organisation’s work over the past month.
Alongside its core regulatory work, this month the Utility Regulator met with stakeholders and participated in a number of industry events.
In March, the organisation launched its partnership with NI Chamber on this year’s Regional Networking Series.
On 3 March, the Utility Regulator met with Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council in Coleraine to speak with Councillors about its role and the work it does to protect Northern Ireland’s energy and water consumers.
On 4 March, the organisation presented oral evidence to the Committee for Infrastructure on the PC28 consultation.
The Utility Regulator concluded its review of the regulated gas tariff for Firmus Energy in the Ten Towns area on 5 March.
On 6 March, members of the organisation’s Senior Management Team were delighted to attend IoD Northern Ireland Women’s Leadership Conference 2026.
On 9 and 10 March, Chief Executive, John French and Regulatory Analyst, Paulino Garcia, attended the 200th Council of European Energy Regulators (CEER) General Assembly meeting in Brussels.
The Utility Regulator’s Head of Security of Supply and Regulation Policy Development, Leigh Greer, was pleased to participate in a CERRE (Centre on Regulation in Europe) roundtable event held in Brussels on 10 March.
Also on 10 March, the organisation’s Chair, Rosamund Blomfield-Smith, attended a special roundtable discussion with the Minister for Infrastructure in London.
The Utility Regulator published its latest Quarterly Retail Energy Market Monitoring report on NI’s retail energy market on 12 March.
On 18 March, the organisation’s Board visited the Silent Valley and met with local stakeholders.
On the same date, the Utility Regulator presented evidence to the Committee for the Economy on its Forward Work Programme for 2026/2027, its Customer Care Register, progress on interconnection, and feedback from the recent Guaranteed Service Standards consultation.
On 26 March, the Utility Regulator’s interim Interconnection Policy Manager, Emma Todd, addressed delegates at RenewableNI’s Smart Energy 2026 conference in Belfast.
The organisation was delighted to publish its Forward Work Programme 2026/2027 on 31 March. This is an annual business plan that sets out the projects that the Utility Regulator proposes to undertake during the year ahead.
Throughout March, the organisation published other important documents.
These include:
- A decision on licence modifications to NIE Networks’ Distribution Licence to implement socialisation of connections (23 March).
In this edition, the Utility Regulator is spotlighting Greg Irwin, who manages its Board and the SEM Committee Secretariat, along with outgoing Estates/IT/Health and Safety/Records Management Manager, Ian Campbell, and outgoing Head of Price Controls (Electricity), John Mills.
The organisation is also recruiting for a number of exciting opportunities, including:
- Compliance and Enforcement Managers, closing on 15 April
- HR Officer, closing on 24 April.
Further details on consultations, recruitment, and latest news can be found at: www.uregni.gov.uk.
The Utility Regulator would be delighted to hear any feedback you have on its newsletter and any issues you would like to see covered in future editions, via info@uregni.gov.uk.
