Ofwat seeks to extend protection for new connections made through a retailer

Ofwat is consulting until 14 September on ensuring businesses and developers have ongoing protection when they request new connections through a retailer.

Since the opening of the non-household retail market, developers and businesses have been able to request new connections through a retail licensee as well through the incumbent wholesaler. The charges that a wholesaler can make to a retailer are regulated through Ofwat’s Wholesale Charging Rules, 2016.

In March 2018, the regulator made changes to these rules to ensure that those who request new connection services through a retailer benefit from the protections offered by its Charging Rules for New Connection Services (English Undertakers). Because these changes were made as urgent revisions to the Water Industry Act 1991, they only had effect for six months. The consultation proposes making the amendments permanent.