What you need to know about key changes to network charges

Non-commodity charges are complex. Even more so now, thanks to major changes being introduced by Ofgem as part of its Targeted Charging Review (TCR). The TCR has initiated the biggest-ever shake-up of transmission and distribution charges, with new methodology for the residual element (or lion's share) of both Transmission Network Use of System (TNUoS) and Distribution Use of System (DUoS) charges scheduled to impact bills from next April.

But due to the level of complexity for consumers – and a desire to align changes to a second review looking at the forward-looking element of these charges – Ofgem is proposing to delay implementing TNUoS changes by 12 months, to April 2023. (DUoS changes remain on track for April 2022.) This move is likely to be welcomed by many customers.

Many large consumers to pay more

Almost certainly, many – but not all – larger consumers will end up paying more in TNUoS charges when the changes are introduced, while other consumers will pay less.

Exactly how the changes will impact your business will depend on what your current TNUoS charges are, if you pay these on a fixed or pass-through basis, and whether you Triad¹ manage or not.

The increasing numbers of businesses who do Triad manage is a major driver for the Ofgem-instigated changes.

This is because larger energy users who are able to be flexible around consumption – for example by switching to on-site generation or decreasing consumption during peak times (or Triads) – are able to reduce their contribution.

But this then increases the share others pay. And Ofgem wants to remove this 'unfair' advantage and make charging more equitable for all.

Shift to fixed charging model

That's why the changes involve switching the residual element from a "time-of-use" charge to a fixed charge.

For DUoS, charges are currently based on consumption during Red, Amber and Green periods, plus some element of fixed charges. But from April 2022, this will shift to a lower time-of-use plus higher fixed charge model, across four bands.

For TNUoS, the current 100% peak-consumption model will switch to 10% peak-consumption and 90% fixed charges from April 2023 (although as before, this is still to be confirmed), again across four bands.

A consultation on the TNUoS delay closes on 5 July, with a final decision due by the end of the summer. But it looks highly likely that the status quo will continue for another year.

Which band will you be in?

Banding will be determined by site, and is allocated according to net annual consumption for Non-Half-Hourly (NHH) settled users, and agreed capacity (kVA) for Half-Hourly (HH) settled users. Allocation is based on an average 24 months of consumption prior to calculation – and was set by your local Distribution Network Operator back in November 2020.

New bands for DUoS charging from 1 April 2022, and TNUoS charging from 1 April 2023

Sites will remain in the same band until April 2026. You can only change prior to this if your site consumption or capacity change by at least 50%. Otherwise the next allocation of bands will be calculated in April 2024.

For more information on how Ofgem's TCR changes will impact your business, please contact your Client Lead.

¹ Triad's are the three half hours of peak national demand between 1 November and the end of February. They are calculated retrospectively by National Grid, but are forecast by many suppliers so that customers who want to reduce consumption during suspected Triads – i.e. "Triad manage" – can do so.