June ISG blog
My final meeting as Chair of the ISG took place on 2 June.
At this session we focussed on how ready NGN is, and how it is preparing for, the start of the next price control period in April 2026.
We received presentations on data and digitalisation, resilience, the environment action plan, workforce, innovation and NGN’s plans for East Coast Hydrogen (ECH) a 100% hydrogen network to serve industries in the region Ofgem has said that it will made a draft determination on NGN’s proposed business plan on 25 June and a decision is also due around about then on funding for the next stage of a feasibility and design study for EHC.
We asked the company to set out what it needs to do to ensure it is ready to meet the commitments it is making in the business plan for GD3 (2026-2031) and how it is engaging with stakeholders where their insights and collaboration is needed.
A number of challenges were made as well as some clear recommendations in how to take forward preparatory work. We were however impressed by the thought that is going in to how best to design and create new programmes of work with internal colleagues, customers and specialist stakeholder groups.
There are a number of initiatives underway but more work will be needed over coming months to position NGN so that it can deliver continuous improvement and its 64 business plan commitments on behalf of customers.
The ISG also signed off our annual report and completed our own effectiveness review report which is appended to the annual report. This aims to demonstrate where we had influence and how our challenge has helped improve outcomes for customers and stakeholders. The reports will be published at the end of this month and will be circulated to NGN’s stakeholders and made available on our website.
I am very grateful to all members of the group for their commitment to the task of challenging NGN to design and deliver a business plan in line with customers expectations which offers value for money.
I am also delighted to had over the baton to Brian Matthews who takes on the Chair’s role from 1 July. He has been a stalwart on the CEG/ISG for 4 years and he will refresh the group over coming months.
Yvana Ferreira and Charlotte Allen have been with the group for 2 and a half years and joined us after serving on NGN’s Young Innovator’s Council. Their focus on future customers expanded our thinking and I pay tribute to them for the way they approached their role and for their valuable contributions.
Finally – to NGN- I wish you all the success in the future in delivering your vital service on which most of us currently depend to heat our homes and on which major industrial users rely. There are huge challenges and opportunities for the business over the next 25 years as the UK transitions to a net zero carbon emissions future whilst maintaining a reliable and safe source of fuel through that change.