The Strategic Working Group (SWG) is not a formal SEC Sub-Committee, and therefore has no defined responsibilities within the SEC. It has been set up as a sub-set of the SEC Panel membership to fulfil a specific purpose. The SWG’s Mission Statement is “to ensure that the SEC, and how it is fulfilled, remains relevant and fit for purpose in an evolving GB energy market”.
The SWG’s objectives are:
- To develop a SEC Strategic Plan which identifies ‘material’ events that are likely to impact the SEC, and provision of services under the SEC, against a set of ‘readiness’ milestones.
- To undertake Horizon Scanning activities to gather information on how the smart metering infrastructure and supporting arrangements will look in 10 years’ time, at and beyond the scope and timetable of the SEC Strategic Plan.
- To assist in the understanding of ‘material’ events that may impact the content and the Services that are governed in accordance with the SEC, and ensure they fulfil ‘SMART’ (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-Bound) criteria.
- To ensure that ‘strategically’ the SEC meets the expectations of Parties and Consumers via key consumer groups.
- To anticipate future requirements and fundamental changes that need to be considered in respect to the SEC.
- To seek ‘strategic’ opportunities to deliver the ‘cost reduction’ glidepath in accordance with the objectives laid out in the Government’s GB Smart Metering impact assessment (IA), subsequent amendments to the IA, and additional goals agreed by the Authority.
- To introduce a suitable ‘benefits realisation’ mechanism that can be utilised by the Panel to ensure that Strategic goals are delivering their intended value.
- To consider strategic risks and opportunities relating to the SEC.
The following criteria will be used as a basis for determining a ‘material event’ which could have an impact on the SEC and will therefore be considered by the SWG. Minor matters will be dealt with as Business As Usual via SECAS and the Sub-Committees.
- Economic impact – increased/reduced service costs, user cost impacts, costs/benefits to consumers.
- Service disruption – loss of availability of service or functionality.
- Service improvement – addition of new services or the enhancement of current services.
- Policy, regulatory, or cross-code change.
- A risk that requires a strategic approach or mitigation.
The SEC Strategic Plan can be found below and is subject to annual review by the SWG and SEC Panel. The SWG meets bi-monthly.
Composition
The SWG shall accept volunteers from the SEC Panel to serve on the SWG. Those individuals shall be of suitable experience and qualifications required to fulfil the duties of the SWG as determined by the Panel. The SWG Chair will review membership of the Sub-Committee on an annual basis, inviting Panel member volunteers. The normal term of office for each member is 12 months.
Voting Members:
- 1 Consumer Representative
- 1 Large Supplier
- 1 Small Supplier
- 1 Network Party
- 1 Other SEC Party
- Independent SEC Panel Sub-Committee Chairs (TABASC, OPSG, SSC/SMKI)
- DCC, DESNZ and Ofgem
Vacancies
- 1 Small Supplier seat
- 1 Other Sec Party seat
If you have any questions about the SWG, please contact the SECAS Helpdesk.