RP7 Stakeholder Consultation WEB - Flipbook - Page 36
Network resilience
Following the introduction of an
incentive scheme in RP6, we have
made significant improvements in the
average duration of supply interruptions
for a connected customer. This is known
as Customer Minutes Lost (CMLs)
which is now at an all-time low shown in
our performance graph below.
Figure 13 - CML performance - planned and unplanned
180
CML/CC
135
90
45
0
2001/02
2003/04
2005/06
2007/08
2009/10
2011/12
2013/14
2015/16
2017/18
2019/20
REPORT YEAR
Unplanned CML
Planned CML
However, we recognise that there are
a number of drivers which will make it
more difficult to maintain this level of
performance in RP7. This will have a
number of impacts.
•To facilitate net zero and maintain
the reliability of the network we will
need to take more planned network
outages so that we can work on the
network.
•The impact of climate change is
having an impact on the electricity
network with a higher frequency of
inclement weather.
•As LCTs connect to the network,
it will become more heavily loaded
which is likely to result in increasing
faults, particularly on older LV
cables.
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Northern Ireland Electricty Networks
You have told us that with the
electrification of heat and transport,
you will require high levels of network
performance in RP7 and beyond.
Therefore, our plan is to further reduce
CMLs associated with faults on our
network in RP7 to offset the increased
average duration of outages due to
planned work on the network. To do
this we propose including allowances
within our RP7 baseline costs to
install automated devices on our
overhead line network. Whilst we are
still working through the details, we are
not expecting the cost to exceed an
extra 50 pence on the average annual
domestic bill during the RP7 period.
This investment will ensure the overall
network performance (planned and
fault) is maintained at current levels.
For our commercial customers, this
represents an annual cost between
£2 for a small business and £28 for a
medium business.
Q15. Working with the Utility
Regulator, a suitable incentive
will then encourage performance
beyond this. Do you agree with
this approach?
2021/22
