This blog was shared in 2024 during the development of our RIIO-T3 Business Plan. The plan has now been published and is available to view online.
Ahead of publication of our RIIO-T3 Business Plan in December, we caught up with Angela Love - Chair of our Independent Net Zero Advisory Council (INZAC).
In 2022, SP Energy Networks (SPEN) established the INZAC, bringing together 15 external experts to provide challenge and specialist knowledge to both the distribution and the transmission sides of the business. With a wealth of experience and expertise from across the energy industry and beyond, the INZAC has a critical role in overseeing and challenging SP Energy Networks' efforts to enable the path to Net Zero, delivering for the customers and communities it serves.
Now as part of the RIIO-3 Enhanced Engagement Framework, networks must have an Independent Stakeholder Group (ISG) in place to provide scrutiny in development of the RIIO-T3 Business Plan. SPEN are using the INZAC to carry out this role and therefore they have a vital role to play in the development of our plan, acting as our Independent Stakeholder Group (ISG), scrutinising both the technical plans as well as ensuring any emerging customer issues are fully considered.
1. Tell us about yourself...
My name is Angela Love. I have worked in the energy sector for over 30 years for a variety of companies, including retail, central market bodies and trade associations. I was a consultant for many years specialising in developing company strategies and aiding companies in influencing energy policy and market arrangements. More recently, I have become the Chair of the Smart Energy Code Company, Chair of SP Energy Networks' Independent Net Zero Advisory Council (INZAC) and Chair of Cadent Gas’ Customer Challenge Group. These groups cover the companies approaches to the Ofgem mandated Independent Stakeholder Groups for the RIIO Price Control arrangements. I am also a non-executive Director of the System Operator of Northern Ireland, SONI.
2. What’s the purpose of the Independent Net Zero Advisory Council (INZAC)?
The INZAC was established by SP Energy Networks with two main roles: to be a challenge and sounding board for their business, in helping them to focus on and achieve net zero and to understand and deliver stakeholder priorities. In addition it has a role as the Independent Stakeholder Group (ISG), which Ofgem requires for the monitoring of RIIO2 and 3 and the challenge around the company’s creation of the RIIO-T3 Business Plan.
The INZAC brings benefits to the company, in that it is made up of experts from outside of SP Energy Networks' business, either from SP Energy Networks' customers, academia or from specialist areas, where the company has challenges, for example new technologies and digitisation.
3. How are the INZAC involved with our RIIO-T3 Business Plan development?
The INZAC is heavily involved in the RIIO-T3 Business Plan development. The Group has introduced a “buddy system”, where members of the INZAC are paired with SP Energy Networks team members and meet on a regular basis to look at what are the company’s challenges and their investment proposals. The INZAC members of the buddy groups will have expertise in relation to the workstream that the company is considering, for example Stakeholder Engagement, Innovation or Connections. Through the meetings, INZAC members will constructively challenge the company and bring their wider market, different sector or technological expertise to the consideration of the issues.
As part of the RIIO-3 Enhanced Engagement Framework, the Independent Stakeholder Group (ISG) will represent the interest of consumers and stakeholders in holding the company to account in respect to the delivery of its RIIO-2 and RIIO-3 commitments. This includes recording challenges and responses from SP Energy Networks.
As explained above, the INZAC has a formal role in the Price Control and as such the Chair will be expected to provide a statement of how the company has considered the challenges laid by the INZAC (or ISG as it is considered by Ofgem). The group also has an on-going role of assessing how the company is doing in relation to the deliver of their Business Plan commitments for RIIO2 and 3.
4. What else will the INZAC be supporting SP Energy Networks with this year?
The INZAC has supported the company with different aspects since its inception, including challenging the company on their approach to Distribution System Operator (DSO) and Community Benefits. In addition, the INZAC has reviewed the SP Energy Networks Decision Making Framework and Just Transition Strategy.
In respect of the DSO, a number of the INZAC members and myself attended the company’s DSO Conference, where they engaged with stakeholders interested in the DSO transition and how the DSO would work. Two conferences were held and after the first one in Glasgow, the INZAC members provided feedback and the company addressed this in their second event in Chester.
5. What’s most exciting to you about being part of the energy industry?
I have been part of the energy sector for over thirty years. The most exciting part for me is the opportunity to make a real difference for customers and to be involved in significant change programmes – which will ultimately bring benefits to the customer, the market or both.
I have a passion for vulnerable and fuel poor customers and have worked on a number of initiatives to aid them. I was instrumental in the development of the Energy Retail Association’s Home Heat Helpline, which helped 100k customers access energy efficiency advice and support, and income maximisation services.
In addition, I served as a trustee on the Gas Safe Charity for 9 years, providing grants to the third sector to raise awareness of the dangers of carbon monoxide and how to ensure the safe use of gas appliances. More recently I also established and oversaw the Market-wide Half Hourly settlement programme in the electricity market. This is a £90m programme, which is expected to deliver up to £4.5bn of benefits to consumers.
I love being involved in this sector changing type programmes, in particular when they are geared toward and will deliver benefits to the market and most importantly the customers we serve.
Stakeholder engagement
There are a number of other ways we an undertaking stakeholder engagement in developing our RIIO-T3 Business Plan, ensuring the plan we produce fully recognises the requirements of our stakeholders and commands their support.
There will be a variety of engagement opportunities including surveys, webinars and events. If you are interested in our services and projects, if our work has the potential to impact you, or if you have an influence over the work we do, then you are a stakeholder. We want to know your views on our plans, so that we can deliver the best service possible.
Complete this online form to register as a stakeholder.
Stay up to date
Stay up to date on our RIIO-T3 Business Plan development via our dedicated RIIO-T3 page which will be updated regularly with our latest blogs, progress and opportunities for engagement.
If you have any enquiries about our RIIO-T3 Business Plan, please email us on riio-t3pmo@spenergynetworks.co.uk