13 February 2003

ELECTRICITY Regulator, Douglas McIldoon, today issued a consultation paper on a proposal to extend NIE’s Supply Price control for two years until 2007.

Under this proposal, NIE’s Supply Business’s revenue would continue to reduce in real terms by 3% per annum and the Supply Business would provide other benefits to customers at the same level as they are doing under the present price control.

Commenting Douglas McIldoon said:

"I believe there are two good reasons for extending the Supply Price control. The first is that this business is delivering good value to Northern Ireland electricity customers. The cost of the supply component of the customer’s electricity bill here is significantly below the cost in Great Britain.

"The second and more important reason is to ensure that all customers - not just the affluent and those who have a good credit rating - are empowered to benefit from a more competitive market. In order to achieve this, NIE will be offering customers more control over how much they consume and how much they pay for electricity. NIE will include in their programme, experimental work with time of day tariff to explore the scope for customers saving money by switching discretionary loads - such as washing machine and dishwashers to periods when electricity costs less."

The consultation paper "Extending the Supply Price Control / Preparing for Effective Domestic Supply Competition" is available on the OFREG web-site by clicking on the above link or alternatively via post from Ofreg, Brookmount Buildings, 42 Fountain St, Belfast BT1 5EE

Tel. 028 9031 1575, Fax 028 9031 1740.

Copies will be made available in large print, Braille, audio cassette and a variety of relevant minority languages if required.

Comments from interested parties should be forwarded to Seamus O’Hare at Ofreg by 28 March 2003.

email: seamus.o'hare@ofregni.gov.uk

For further information, please contact Nick Carson on 028 9127 5965 or 07711 482807