To ask the Minister for the Economy for an update on compensation payments following Storm Éowyn.

Question 13 AQO 1822/22-27

Following disruption and damage caused by Storm Éowyn on 24th of January, a working group involving the Department for the Economy, NIE Networks, and the Utility Regulator, was established to consider compensation payments for electricity customers most affected by power outages.

The working group was established at the request of the Executive to consider options where compensation payments would be recovered through customer electricity bills.

The working group has now updated the Executive of its findings that there is currently no existing route to make payments to customers.

NIE Networks has applied a severe weather exemption provided for in legislation.

The working group concluded that any other options involving recovery of payments from network charges would require legal or regulatory modifications which cannot be applied retrospectively for those customers impacted by Storm Éowyn.

UR has agreed to include a commitment in the Energy Strategy Action Plan for 2025, that they will consult again on the Electricity Guaranteed Standards of Service, including on arrangements in response to severe weather events. Once they have presented their conclusions to the Department, we will process any required change to the Regulations aiming for new Regulations in 2025/26.