Key information
Decision type: Assistant Director
Reference code: ADD2079
Date signed:
Decision by: Mark Kleinman, Assistant Director of Economic and Business Policy
Executive summary
New developments in London increase the demand for electricity. In 2012, the Mayor assessed the current arrangements administered by OFGEM for regulating the amount and timing of investment by electricity distributors in the reinforcement of their networks to accommodate the increased demand for electricity.
GLA and OFGEM have been consulting with various stakeholders who have proposed new arrangements which could make the process more efficient in the best interest of all London consumers. Collectively, the GLA and OFGEM have proposed the Devco Model.
The DevCo Model would be structured as a partnership between developers, local authorities and other parties with an interest in securing connections and capacity in a specific area.
The outline strategic case has been established by the GLA. Now, to investigate whether this approach is reasonable and practicable, a high level assessment of the economic case for establishing DevCo corporate models to support investment in electricity infrastructure in development areas is required. The assessment of the economic case will allow for high level assessment of a range of options for policy in the future, options to be addressed that could, subject to all further necessary analysis and (legal, financial and other as required) advice potentially reduce overall costs of capital and revenue of provision compared to those under existing arrangements.
Decision
That the AD for EBPU approves expenditure of up to £20k from the 2016/17 Infrastructure and Growth programme budget to purchase consultancy services required for the economic assessment of the development of the DevCo model.
Part 1: Non-confidential facts and advice
During 2012 the Mayor formed a working group to examine the case for and practicality of change to the current arrangements administered by OFGEM for regulating the amount and timing of investment by electricity distributors in the reinforcement of their networks to allow for increased electricity demand from new developments in London.
Following discussions between the GLA and Government, OFGEM, developers and a range of stakeholders, OFGEM carried out a consultation on alternative investment models during 2015. During 2016 OFGEM has been examining, through case studies presented to it by a range of interested parties, the extent to which current electricity connection and reinforcement arrangements are creating financial and other barriers both to developers of sites and distributed electricity generators.
One of the models for change which OFGEM is evaluating in this context is the ‘DevCo’ model developed by the GLA. The DevCo model devolves upon regional and local authorities, and thence to investment vehicles formed under their control, the opportunity to call for distribution network operators to install new electricity distribution infrastructure earlier than the current regulatory regime would permit.
In return, the DevCo takes the risks associated with installing the infrastructure prior to the electricity connections, which would bring the new infrastructure into use, being confirmed. The DevCo system enables new infrastructure to be installed on a more strategic basis rather than being made incrementally, thus avoiding the risks of delays and additional cost often associated with the existing arrangements, particularly in the case of large developments. More detailed information about the Devco model are available in the appendix.
The appointed consultants will provide a final report providing:
• analysis of one or more elements of whether the present arrangements for the provision of new electricity distribution infrastructure derive from or give rise to failures on the part of the market and/or existing policy and regulatory framework; and
• robust evidence to demonstrate the nature, order of magnitude scale and monetary value of the costs and risks that the such in principle failures give rise to; to demonstrate, if it is the case, that these are significant, and that thus there is also a case for considering alternative options such as the DevCo model for the arrangements governing such provision.
a. The DevCo model would deliver improvements in how electricity related infrastructure investment is planned in the early stage of a development. This would have benefits for Londoners which will move into the new development area.
b. The Devco model will be responsive to Mayoral priorities, including social inclusion and fairness as it should have a positive impact on the overall cost of electricity.
Key risks and issues analysis
The estimated cost of up to £20,000 for this project will be funded the Infrastructure & Growth Programme budget for 2016-17 held within the Economic Business Policy Unit.
Signed decision document
ADD2079 DevCo consultancy (signed) PDF