The Utility Regulator has published its latest newsletter which provides an update on its work during November.
Alongside its daily responsibilities, last month saw the organisation meet directly with stakeholders and contribute to conversations at a range of industry events.
On Tuesday 4 November, the Utility Regulator’s Chief Executive, John French, attended an Immersive Fuel Crisis event with colleagues, led by the Fuel Bank Foundation at South-West Belfast Foodbank.
On Wednesday 5 November, the organisation’s Networks Manager, Jody O’Boyle, took part in the Centre on Regulation in Europe’s Roundtable on Critical Infrastructure Resilience.
The Utility Regulator was pleased to host the Institute of Customer Service’s Northern Ireland Regional Member Meeting on 6 November at its Millennium House office.
On the same date, the organisation published its Final Approach document for the next price control review, known as SPC27, for the price-controlled gas supply companies: Firmus Energy (Supply) and SSE Airtricity Gas (NI).
November also saw the Utility Regulator’s Consumer Protection team host a Non-domestic Energy Market Forum for stakeholders at its office.
On 12 November, John French delivered an address on Regulating Through Transition, to delegates at agendaNi’s Northern Ireland Energy Forum 2025.
In recognition of International Men’s Day on 19 November, the Utility Regulator’s social media channels featured a number of staff who spoke about their own mental health journeys and the importance of reaching out for help when needed.
The organisation also hosted its annual Winter Preparedness Forum at the Clayton Hotel, Belfast on 19 November.
On the same date, the Utility Regulator’s Chair, Rosamund Blomfield-Smith, addressed delegates at agendaNi’s Economic Conference, explaining why utilities are fundamental to Northern Ireland’s economic success.
Throughout the month, the Utility Regulator published a number of other important documents. These include:
- An Approach Consultation Paper for the next price control for the gas transmission network. This is referred to as GT27 (5 November).
- In accordance with Article 14(8) of the Electricity (NI) Order 1992, the Utility Regulator gave notice of its intention to introduce a new licence condition to SONI’s (System Operator for Northern Ireland) Transmission System Operator Licence to reflect the requirement by the Department for the Economy for SONI to begin preparatory works for their designated role in the Renewable Electricity Price Guarantee scheme (6 November).
- A Call for Evidence on the treatment of corporation tax for Kinecx Energy and Phoenix Energy (19 November).
- Stakeholder responses to the SONI Annual Forward Work Programme (FWP) 2025/2026 (13 November).
- The 2024 Fuel Mix Disclosure and CO2 Emissions Report (24 November).
- An information and decision paper on the Customer Care Register project (28 November).
In this edition, the Utility Regulator is spotlighting Regulatory Analyst, Aidan Girvan and Associate Regulatory Analyst, Jack Irwin, both of whom contributed to the development of the Final Approach document for SPC27.
The organisation is currently recruiting for a number of exciting opportunities, including:
- Student Placement 2026/2027, closing on 9 January 2026.
- Associate Regulatory Analysts, closing on 18 February 2026.
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.
