SGN Natural Gas - I & C Connection Procedure

New I&C Connection Procedures

17 June 2016

Contents 1 Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 3 2 Interpretation ............................................................................................................................ 3 3 Scope ........................................................................................................................................ 5 4 Sales and Planning Stage ............................................................................................................ 5 5 Supplier Information .................................................................................................................. 6 6 Supply Point Administration Process Stage ................................................................................. 7 7 No Gas is Offtaken Process ......................................................................................................... 9

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SGN Natural Gas – New I&C Connection Procedures

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Introduction 1.1

This document sets out the New I&C Connection Procedures ("Procedures") referred to in Section L9A.1 of Code prepared by the Operator pursuant to condition 2.4 of the Operator's Conveyance Licence.

1.2

These Procedures were approved by the Authority on 17 June 2016.

1.3

These Procedures may be amended from time to time by the Authority or by the Operator with the prior written approval of the Authority (and where an amendment is made the Operator shall publish the amended Procedures).

1.4

The Operator and each User shall be responsible for their own costs incurred in respect of the implementation of these Procedures.

Interpretation 2.1

Definitions For the purposes of the Procedures: Chosen User

has the meaning given in paragraph 4.3(a)(i);

Completed

means in relation to a New I&C Connection, the completion by the Operator of the Meter Installation Works;

Day

means a calendar day;

Default User

means SSE Airtricity Gas Supply (NI) Limited (company registration number NI032810) or such other User designated as such from time to time by the Authority;

DM Supply Meter Point

means a Supply Meter Point whose Annual Quantity is greater than 2,196,000 kWh (75,000 therms) but less than 293,071,000 kWh (10,000,000 therms);

Existing Registration Process means the process by which a User may apply to become the Registered User of a Supply Meter Point as set out in Sections L6 to L9 (inclusive) of the Code;

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Gas Connection Agreement

means the agreement entered into between the Operator and a consumer pursuant to which the Operator agrees to connect the consumer to the Operator's System and the consumer agrees to pay for (if appropriate) the connection to enable the offtake of Gas from the System;

Larger NDM Supply Meter Point

means a Supply Meter Point whose Annual Quantity is greater than 732,000 kWh (25,000 therms) but less than 2,196,000 kWh (75,000 therms);

Meter Installation Date

means, in respect of a New I&C Connection, the date on which the Meter Installation Works are Completed;

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Meter Installation Works

means such works as are required to install a Supply Meter Installation at a New I&C Connection in accordance with Section M of Code;

Month

means a calendar month;

New I&C Connection

means the connection of premises to the System to enable the offtake of gas from the System by an I&C Consumer (whether or not there are pre-existing Supply Meter Points at the premises);

New I&C Consumer

means a consumer who intends to use gas for industrial and commercial purposes only;

New I&C Meter Point

means the Supply Meter Point at a New I&C Connection;

No Gas is Offtaken Process

means the third stage of the Procedures described in paragraph 7;

Sales and Planning Stage

means the first stage of the Procedures described in paragraph 4;

Scenario 1

has the meaning given in paragraph 6.8(a);

Scenario 2

has the meaning given in paragraph 6.8(b);

Smaller NDM Supply Meter means a Supply Meter Point whose Annual Quantity is not greater Point than 732,000 kWh (25,000 therms); Supplier Information

means, in relation to a User, all such documents and other information prepared and published by the User in line with the requirements of Schedule 18a of the Supply Meter Point Agreement;

Supply Meter Point Agreement

means the agreement which a Registered User is obliged under the conditions of its gas supply licence to prepare, maintain, comply with and be a party to, such agreement having been approved by the Authority;

Supply Point Administration means the database established and maintained by the Operator Database forming part of the Supply Meter Point Register which identifies the Registered User in respect of a Supply Meter Point; Supply Point Administration means the second stage of the Procedures described in paragraph Process Stage 6; and Very Large DM Supply Meter Point

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means a Supply Meter Point whose Annual Quantity is greater than 293,071,000 kWh (10,000,000 therms).

All other capitalised terms used in these Procedures shall have the meanings given to them in the Code

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3 Scope 3.1

The Procedures shall comprise two or where applicable three stages: (a)

the Sales and Planning Stage (in accordance with paragraph 4); and

(b)

the Supply Point Administration process stage (in accordance with paragraph 6); and

where applicable (c)

the No Gas is Offtaken Process (in accordance with paragraph 7).

3.2

The Procedures shall not apply to the registration of a User as Registered User in respect of a Supply Meter Point existing as at 17 June 2016 (in respect of which Sections L6 to L9 of the Code shall apply).

3.3

In respect of the New I&C Meter Point which is a Smaller NDM Supply Meter Point, if there is any: (a)

mistake, failure or delay in implementing the Procedures; or

(b)

dispute or difference of any kind arising in connection of the Procedures,

the Operator will register the Default User as the Registered User at the New I&C Meter Point.

3.4

The Operator and User shall co-operate with each other in good faith and provide each other with such information and other assistance as may be reasonably required to facilitate implementation of these Procedures.

4 Sales and Planning Stage 4.1

Where a New I&C Consumer submits a request to the Operator for a New I&C Connection, the Operator shall process the request as soon as reasonably practicable.

4.2

Until the Operator has entered into a Gas Connection Agreement with the New I&C Consumer:

4.3

(a)

the Operator shall not proceed to connect the New I&C Consumer to the System; and

(b)

the processing of the request for a New I&C Connection shall not proceed to the Supply Point Administration Stage of these Procedures.

Following receipt of a request for a New I&C Connection, the Operator shall: (a)

notify the New I&C Consumer of the following: i

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that it must, unless it has already done so, nominate a User who will be responsible for the supply of gas to the New I&C Consumer at the New I&C Connection at the Sales and Planning Stage and in the case of a Smaller NDM Supply Meter Point at any time prior to the New I&C Connection being Completed (Chosen User);

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that the Chosen User must advise the Operator of its intention to supply gas to the New I&C Meter Point prior to the New I&C Connection being planned for the Larger NDM and DM Supply Meter Points (including the Very Large DM Supply Points) or in the case of a Smaller NDM Supply Meter Point prior to the New I&C Connection being Completed;

iii where the New I&C Connection is a Smaller NDM Supply Meter Point, if the Chosen User does not advise the Operator of its intention to supply gas to the New I&C Meter Point prior to the New I&C Connection being Completed, then the Operator will register the Default User as the Registered User of the New I&C Meter Point; iv

where the New I&C Connection is a Larger NDM Supply Meter Point or a DM Supply Meter Point (including the Very Large DM Supply Points), the Operator will not proceed with completion of the New I&C Connection until the Chosen User advises the Operator of its intention to supply gas to the New I&C Meter Point;

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if the Default User becomes the Registered User of the New I&C Meter Point when the Meter Installation Works are Completed, then the Existing Registration Process shall apply to enable the Chosen User to become Registered User of the New I&C Meter Point; and

vi it must enter into a Gas Connection Agreement with the Operator in respect of the New I&C Connection prior to the Operator undertaking works to connect the New I&C Consumer’s premises to the System.

4.4

(b)

in the case of a Smaller NDM Supply Meter Point, provide the New I&C Consumer with Supplier Information, provided that where the New I&C Consumer has nominated a Chosen User the Operator need only provide Supplier Information in respect of such User;

(c)

in the case of a Larger NDM or DM Supply Meter Point (including the Very Large DM Supply Points), provide the New I&C Consumer with a list of Users who have completed the New Entrant Readiness Pack and been granted approval by the Authority to operate in the I&C market sectors; and

(d)

record the identity of the Chosen User for the purposes of the Gas Connection Agreement.

In discussing the benefits of conversion to natural gas by a New I&C Consumer, the Operator shall do so in a manner which complies with all applicable laws, including consumer protection legislation.

5 Supplier Information 5.1

Nothing in these Procedures shall require the Operator to approve the form, content or accuracy of information contained in a User's Supplier Information.

5.2

Implementation of these Procedures by the Operator in respect of a User shall be conditional on the User providing the Operator with Supplier Information, and the Operator shall not be required to implement these Procedures in respect of a New I&C Connection and User until five (5) Business Days after the date on which the User provides the Supplier Information to the Operator.

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A User shall ensure that it makes available to the Operator the most up to date Supplier Information and that such information is at all times accurate in all material respects and the User acknowledges the Operator shall have no responsibility for the form, content or accuracy of the information contained in the User's Supplier Information (and in respect of which the Operator shall have no liability).

6 Supply Point Administration Process Stage 6.1

When the Operator receives a completed Gas Connection Agreement from a New I&C Consumer in respect of a New I&C Connection, the Operator shall: (a)

allocate a Supply Meter Point Reference Number to the Supply Meter Point at the New I&C Connection; and

(b)

update the Supply Meter Point Register to include details of the new Supply Meter Point Reference Number and the Chosen User or Default User (as applicable).

6.2

The New I&C Connection shall only be completed by the Operator where the information in 6.1 is available on the Supply Point Register.

6.3

The Operator shall prepare a daily report, the New I&C Supply Meter Point Report, (on the Business Day following the day in respect of which the report relates) specifying:

6.4

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(a)

the Supply Meter Point Reference Numbers allocated by the Operator to each Supply Meter Point at a New I&C Connection under paragraph 6.1 on such day; and

(b)

the contact details for each New I&C Consumer

: (a)

In the case of a Smaller NDM Supply Meter Point the Operator shall submit the New I&C Supply Meter Point Report to the Default User (and where different the relevant Chosen User) in respect of a New I&C Connection within two (2) Business Days of the Day in respect of which such report is made.

(b)

For clarity in the case of a Larger NDM Supply Meter Point or a DM Supply Meter Point (including the Very Large DM Supply Points), the Operator will not be required to prepare a New I&C Supply Meter Point Report.

: (a)

A User may advise the Operator of its intention to supply gas to a New I&C Meter Point prior to the New I&C Connection being completed by submitting a Supply Meter Point Confirmation; or in the case of the Default User, the Default User shall be deemed to have submitted a Supply Meter Point Confirmation;

(b)

In accordance with Section L8 of the Code, the Operator shall not reject the SMP Confirmation under Section L8.9 of the Code where the Supply Meter Point Confirmation

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does not include a Proposed Supply Meter Point Registration Date and in the case of a Larger NDM and DM Supply Meter Point (including the Very Large DM Supply Points) a Supply Meter Point Reference Number.

6.6

(c)

If the Operator receives a Supply Meter Point Confirmation for a New I&C Meter Point from more than one (1) User Section L8.3 of the Code will apply, other than where the New I&C Meter Point has been allocated to the Default User (in which case no account shall be taken of the Supply Meter Point Confirmation deemed submitted under paragraph 6.5(a) for the purposes of Section L8.3 of the Code).

(d)

Where the Operator receives a Supply Meter Point Confirmation from a User, the Operator will update the Supply Meter Point Register to include that User as the Registered User.

Using reasonable endeavours, upon completion of the Meter Installation Works the Operator shall update the Supply Meter Point Register the following Business Day to: (a)

include details of the Supply Meter Installation located at the New I&C Connection;

(b)

record the Supply Meter Point Registration Date as the Meter Installation Date for the new Supply Meter Installation

6.7

The Operator shall prepare a report (the Completed I&C Meter Installation Report) in respect of each Day specifying the New I&C Connections recorded the previous Business Day in accordance with paragraph 6.6 and will include the details specified in paragraph 6.6. The Operator will use its reasonable endeavours to submit the Completed I&C Meter Installation Report in respect of a New I&C Connection to the Registered User within two (2) Business Days of the Day in respect of which such report is made.

6.8

The particular Supply Point Administration Process that will apply in relation to the registration of a User as the Registered User of a New I&C Meter Point will depend which of the following scenarios apply:

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(a)

the User has submitted a Supply Meter Point Confirmation to the Operator in respect of the relevant New I&C Meter Point before the Operator has Completed the Meter Installation Works (Scenario 1);

(b)

in the case of the Smaller NDM Supply Meter Point the Operator has allocated the Default User to be the Registered User in respect of the New I&C Meter Point (Scenario 2); and

For New I&C Meter Points which fall within Scenario 1, the following Supply Point Administration Process shall apply: (a)

the Chosen User submits to the Operator a Supply Meter Point Confirmation in accordance with paragraph 6.5(a);

(b)

the Operator shall carry out the Meter Installation Works necessary to install the Supply Meter Installation at the New I&C Meter Point in a timely manner;

(c)

the Operator shall update the Supply Meter Point Register to include details of the Supply Meter Installation at the New I&C Connection;

(d)

the Operator shall update the Supply Point Administration Database to show that:

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i. the Chosen User is the Registered User of the relevant New I&C Meter Point in accordance with the Supply Meter Point Confirmation; and ii. the Supply Meter Point Registration Date shall be the Meter Installation Date; (e)

the Operator shall forward to the Chosen User the report referred to in paragraph 6.7 in respect of the Day when the Supply Meter Installation Works have been Completed and the Operator has registered the Chosen User as the Registered User at the New I&C Meter Point.

The daily report shall be deemed to be the notice the Operator is required to give to a Chosen User under Section L9.8 of the Code to notify when a Supply Meter Point Confirmation becomes effective; and

(f)

the Chosen User shall be responsible for Distribution Charges in respect of the New I&C Meter Point with effect from the Supply Meter Point Registration Date.

6.10 For New I&C Meter Points which are Smaller NDM Supply Meter Points which fall within Scenario 2, the following Supply Point Administration Process shall apply: (a)

the Operator shall allocate the Default User to be the Registered User in respect of the New I&C Meter Point in accordance with these Procedures;

(b)

the Operator shall carry out the Meter Installation Works necessary to install the Supply Meter Installation at the New I&C Meter Point in a timely manner;

(c)

the Operator shall update the Supply Meter Point Register to include details of the Supply Meter Installation of the New I&C Connection;

(d)

the Operator shall update the Supply Point Administration Database to show that: i. the Default User is the Registered User of the relevant New I&C Meter Point; and ii. the Supply Meter Point Registration Date shall be the Meter Installation Date;

(e)

the Operator shall forward to the Default User the report referred to in paragraph 6.7 in respect of the Day when the Supply Meter Installation Works have been Completed and the Operator has registered the Default User as the Registered User at the New I&C Meter Point.

The daily report shall be deemed to be the notice the Operator is required to give the Default User under Section L9.8 of the Code to notify when a Supply Meter Point Confirmation becomes effective; and

(f)

the Default User shall be responsible for Distribution Charges in respect of the New I&C Meter Point with effect from the Supply Meter Point Registration Date.

7 No Gas is Offtaken Process 7.1

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In the case of the Smaller NDM Supply Meter Point where the Operator has allocated the Default User to be the Registered User in respect of the New I&C Meter Point and the Default User notifies the Operator that no gas is being offtaken at the New I&C Meter Point, the following shall apply:

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(a)

the Default User shall notify the Operator that no gas is being offtaken at the New I&C Meter Point and shall provide relevant meter readings to demonstrate that there has been no offtake of gas;

(b)

where the Operator is satisfied that no gas is being offtaken at the New I&C Meter Point: i. subject to paragraph 7.3 below, the Default User shall not be responsible for Distribution Charges in respect of the New I&C Meter Point for the period during which no gas is being offtaken at the New I&C Meter Point; and

(c)

once there has been the first offtake of gas at the New I&C Meter Point, the Operator shall amend the Supply Point Administration Database to register: i. the Default User as the Registered User; or ii. if the Operator has received a Supply Meter Point Confirmation from a User for the New I&C Meter Point under the Existing Registration Process, the User who submitted the Supply Meter Point Confirmation as the Registered User with effect from the date on which there was the first offtake of gas at the New I&C Meter Point.

(d)

7.2

Where the Default User becomes the Registered User in line with clause (c) (i) above the Operator will notify the Default User of the date upon which the Registration took effect from.

In the case of the Larger NDM or DM Supply Meter Point (including the Very Large DM Supply Points) where the Operator has allocated a Chosen User to be the Registered User in respect of the New I&C Meter Point and the Chosen User notifies the Operator that no gas is being offtaken at the New I&C Meter Point, the following shall apply: (a)

the Chosen User shall notify the Operator that no gas is being offtaken at the New I&C Meter Point and shall provide relevant meter readings to demonstrate that there has been no offtake of gas;

(b)

where the Operator is satisfied that no gas is being offtaken at the New I&C Meter Point: i. the Operator shall amend the Supply Point Administration Database so as to register the Operator as the Registered User of the relevant New I&C Meter Point for the period until the first offtake of gas at that New I&C Meter Point; and ii. subject to paragraph 6.14 below, the Chosen User shall not be responsible for Distribution Charges in respect of the New I&C Meter Point for the period during which no gas is being offtaken at the New I&C Meter Point; and

(c)

once there has been the first offtake of gas at the New I&C Meter Point, the Operator shall amend the Supply Point Administration Database to register: i. the Chosen User as the Registered User; or ii. if the Operator has received a Supply Meter Point Confirmation from a User for the New I&C Meter Point under the Existing Registration Process, the User who submitted the Supply Meter Point Confirmation as the Registered User

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with effect from the date on which there was the first offtake of gas at the New I&C Meter Point. (d)

Where the Chosen User becomes the Registered User in line with clause (c) (i) above the Operator will notify the Chosen User of the date upon which the Registration took effect from.

7.3

The Default User for the Smaller NDM Supply Meter Point or the Chosen User for the Larger NDM or DM Supply Meter Point (including the Very Large DM Supply Points) shall not be responsible for Distribution Charges in respect of the New I&C Meter Point provided that the User continues to submit to the Operator meter readings confirming that no gas is being offtaken at the New I&C Meter Point every thirty (30) Days beginning on the thirtieth (30th) Day after the initial meter reading are submitted by the Default User for the Smaller NDM Supply Meter Point or the Chosen User for the Larger NDM or DM Supply Meter Point (including the Very Large DM Supply Points) in accordance with paragraph 7.1(a).

7.4

The Default User for the Smaller NDM Supply Meter Point or the Chosen User for the Larger NDM or DM Supply Meter Point (including the Very Large DM Supply Points) shall be responsible for Distribution Charges:

7.5

(a)

where the User does not notify the Operator in accordance with paragraph 7.1 (a) or 7.2 (a) that no gas is being offtaken at the New I&C Meter Point or fails to provide relevant meter readings. This applies even if no gas is being offtaken at the relevant New I&C Meter Point;

(b)

if the User submits meter readings in accordance with paragraph 7.3 above which shows that gas is being offtaken at the New I&C Meter Point. The User shall be responsible for Distribution Charges in respect of the New I&C Meter Point with effect from the first (1st) Day of the Month following the Month during which the User submitted to the Operator the meter reading showing gas being offtaken at the New I&C Meter Point;

(c)

if the User ceases to submit meter readings in accordance with paragraph 7.3 above. The User shall be responsible for Distribution Charges in respect of the New I&C Meter Point with effect from the first (1st) Day of the Month following the Month during which the User last submitted meter readings to the Operator in accordance with paragraph 7.3 showing that gas was not being offtaken at the New I&C Meter Point; and

(d)

where 7.3 applies, after a period of three months from the date of the Meter Installation.

The Operator may carry out meter readings at any New I&C Meter Point where no gas is being offtaken to confirm: (a)

that it remains the case that no gas is being offtaken; or

(b)

if gas has been offtaken, the date on which gas was first offtaken,

and the User shall facilitate and assist the Operator to gain access to the New I&C Connection premises to the Operator to carry out such meter readings.

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