OFGEM削減NATIONAL GRID開支

British energy regulator Ofgem has cut the amount of money that the gas and power grids operator National Grid may spend on the network.Since Ofgem approved the eight-year investment plan for 2013-21, National Grid has cancelled projects that were included in the past plan, so it has taken advantage of its mid-period review to eliminate some of National Grid’s costs but without affecting existing operations.

Ofgem is proposing to reduce its allowances by ￡168.8mn ($221.8mn) in gas as the Avonmouth gas pipelines it planned to build are no longer needed. Avonmouth, the plant that liquefied gas in summer for peak shaving in winter, was used for balancing the system but it was closed down this summer owing to lack of demand for its services. It was to have run until 2018.

Ofgem is also proposing to reduce National Grid’s allowances by ￡38.1mn in the power grid as there are fewer generators connecting to the high voltage grid. This has not affected the reliability of the high voltage network, said Ofgem.National Grid said it welcomed “Ofgem’s continued commitment to the clarity and certainty offered by the eight-year [price control] framework, which has started to deliver important benefits for customers.