In 2015 we introduced the Incentive on Connections Engagement (ICE) to encourage DNOs to provide good service to all larger customers that are seeking a connection. Under the ICE, DNOs must provide evidence that they have engaged with their large connection stakeholders and responded to their needs. If they fail to do this, they could incur a penalty.
DNOs submit evidence of their stakeholder engagement in two parts: a Looking Back report on their activities during the previous year demonstrating how they have met the needs of large connection customers; and a Looking Forward plan for the coming year describing the activities the DNO plans to undertake.
In our RIIO-ED2 final determinations, published on 30 November 2022, we confirmed that we would remove the ICE and replace it with a Major Connections Incentive (MCI), effective from 1 April 2023.
This letter gives Notice to all DNOs of our proposal to modify the ICE Guidance Document to relieve DNOs of any obligations to submit a Looking Forward plan for year 2023-24, following the removal of ICE from 1 April 2023.