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Q&A WITH ANGELA LOVE, CHAIR OF INZAC

June 2024

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).

Members of the Independent Net Zero Advirsory Council (INZAC). From Left to Right; Matthew Cole, Dan Thomas, Martin Kearns, Rob Cormie, Janet Wood, Dr Jamie Stewart, Angela Love, Prof. Jianzhong Wu, Kate Martin Bruintjes, Prof. David Flynn, Ashleye Gunn

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...

Portrait of Angela Love

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     

SP Energy Networks marks first year for Independent Net Zero Advisory Council

December 2023

An independent group of energy industry experts created by electricity network operator SP Energy Networks (SPEN) to bring the voice of customers and stakeholders into the heart of its business has marked its first anniversary.

Members of the Independent Net Zero Advirsory Council (INZAC). From Left to Right; Matthew Cole, Dan Thomas, Martin Kearns, Rob Cormie, Janet Wood, Dr Jamie Stewart, Angela Love, Prof. Jianzhong Wu, Kate Martin Bruintjes, Prof. David Flynn, Ashleye Gunn.

The Independent Net Zero Advisory Council (INZAC) brings together 15 external experts to provide challenge and specialist knowledge to both the distribution and the transmission sides of the business across Central and Southern Scotland, North Wales, Merseyside, Cheshire and North Shropshire - a first for the industry. Ofgem recognises that this ‘whole system’ approach of working across network boundaries is to the benefit of customers.

With a wealth of experience and expertise from across the energy industry and beyond, the INZAC has a critical role in overseeing and challenging SPEN’s efforts to enable the path to Net Zero for the customers and communities it serves.

Key highlights of its first year include:

Visiting various Transmission and Distribution operational sites both in Scotland and the Manweb licence area in Liverpool
Regular meetings with senior members of SPEN, to fully understand the strategic challenges faced by the business and wider industry to deliver Net Zero, both from a Technical perspective and with a Customer focus.
Extensive feedback and recommendations made to SPEN for consideration.

Looking ahead, the INZAC will have a vital part to play in the development of SPEN’s RIIO-T3 price control business plans for the high voltage transmission network between 2026-2031, scrutinising both the technical plans as well as ensuring any emerging consumer issues are fully considered.

The INZAC is chaired by renowned industry expert, Angela Love, who has over 30 years’ experience of the UK/EU gas and electricity markets. Angela sits on a number of industry bodies including regulator Ofgem’s Stakeholder Engagement and Customer Vulnerability Panel for ED1 and was recently appointed as Chair of Cadent Gas’ Customer Challenge Group.

She said: “It’s been fantastic to assemble such an exceptional and diverse range of voices to provide insight and constructive challenge to SP Energy Networks as it develops and delivers on its business plans for both the transmission and distribution electricity networks of the future.

“We’re at a really exciting and crucial time for the energy networks industry and it’s vital that companies get it right as they develop innovative solutions and technologies to support more green electricity coming on the grid and help deliver on Net Zero ambitions.

“We’ve made a really good start in our first year and I have no doubt the INZAC will play an increasingly valuable role in the months and years ahead – not just for SP Energy Networks, but for the customers, stakeholders and communities it serves. And that’s exactly what we’re here to do.”

SP Energy Networks CEO, Vicky Kelsall said: “Creating the INZAC was a pivotal moment for our business and testament to our commitment to supporting the wider energy transition on our journey to a greener future. Its ability to question and challenge will help drive meaningful change that will ultimately benefit everyone as we work to deliver a just transition to Net Zero.

“The INZAC is a key component of our broader stakeholder engagement programme, providing transparency and improving decision-making. And we have committed to giving the group the access, knowledge and insight it needs to challenge us and make recommendations at every level of the business – from the Executive team to our engineering and customer facing teams.

“We can already see the positive impact working with the INZAC is having on our business – and will continue to have on our performance and delivery of RIIO2 commitments and developing our plans for RIIO3 and beyond.”