Interruption Reform

The arrangements for interruption are changing from October 2011. Customers will no longer be able to elect to be interruptible but must successfully bid for interruption rights. The first tender for the gas year commencing from 1 October 2011 began on 2 June 2008.

The next tender process will commence on 1 June 2009 and will provide an opportunity to bid for contracts from 1 October 2011 onwards. 

All the Gas Distribution Networks will present their requirements at the Gas Customer Forum in London on 27 March 2009, for shippers and customer representatives and a copy of the presentations can be viewed at http://www.gasgovernance.com.  NGN would like to encourage all eligible customers to bid so please don’t hesitate to contact us at interruption@northerngas.co.uk if you would like to discuss your requirements or have further queries. We would be pleased to meet with shippers or customers if they wish.

The table below lists the zones where we are seeking interruption tenders, and demonstrates our indicative minimum requirements. Our interruption requirements are shown in 3 periods, in order to more closely match our capacity requirements over time and to increase our ability to efficiently secure interruption rights.

Our final minimum requirements will be published on 1 May 2009.

For example, in North West Leeds (zone GT3090001) we require up to 151,993KWh of capacity for 76 days. This is more precisely defined as 151,993KWh for 10 days, then at least 132,152KWh for an additional 33 days and at least 116,348KWh for a further 33 days.

INDICATIVE CAPACITIES REQUIRED

Zones GT3090007, GT3090009 and GT3090011 have existing interruption contracts which cover all requirements for Y+2. GT3090009 has varying interruption requirements in particular years and so their requirements are split by year.

Please specify your site SHQ on any bid. If less than the full site capacity is offered (e.g. for tranched bids or where part interruptible / part firm is required) the maximum instantaneous demand for the uninterrupted portion of the load must be specified.

Click here for a map of Northern Gas Networks' interruption areas.

Click here for a summary of the results of the June 2008 tender process.

Click here for a summary of the results of the October 2008 tender process.

Click here for a list of frequently asked questions.

NGN held an Interruption Seminar on 26th February 2008 to explain the process in more detail prior to the initial interruption process.  Information handed out at the seminar can be downloaded below:

Presentation - download here
Interruption calculator user guide - download here
Interruption calculator - download here
Postcodes by zone - download here
Shipper File Format information - download here
xoserve support for the Interruption Tender Process - download here
Interruption charging methodology statement - link to the Joint Office - download here
Q & A session from the seminar - download here