The role of the Smart Energy Code Administrator and Secretariat (SECAS) is defined within the Smart Energy Code (SEC) arrangements. The formal SECAS duties and functions, within Section C, include the provision of advice and support to the SEC Panel, and its Sub-Committees, in relation to its functions and responsibilities in accordance with the SEC. SECAS additionally provides support and assistance to Parties in relation to the SEC and its obligations through the provision of a helpdesk, guidance materials, Party Engagement Analysts and education seminars.
How does SECAS support the Panel and its Sub-Committees?
The SEC defines the duties of both the Code Administrator and the Secretariat. The table below describes these at a high level for each function:
| Code Administrator | Secretariat |
|---|---|
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Who performs the role of SECAS?
Gemserv were awarded the contract to undertake the SECAS role in September 2013, following a competitive procurement process run by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).
What can Parties expect from SECAS?
Once acceded to the Code, Parties can expect to receive the following on a regular basis:
- Meeting Headlines from all SEC governance meetings
- Non-confidential meeting documentation for the SEC Panel and Sub-Committees will be made available on the website
- Monthly SECAS newsletters
- Access to the Transition Governance Update paper through Member login to the website
- Communication regarding Elections for the SEC Panel and its Sub-Committees
- Information being communicated on behalf of the DCC
- Opportunity to feed into a bi-annual Customer Satisfaction Survey
- Invitations to training days and educational seminars
What SECAS cannot do for Parties and the Panel and its Sub-Committees?
There are a number of areas of concern that have been raised by Parties for which SECAS does not have the remit to address:
- Apply pressure in relation to the DCC Charges – the DCC’s charges are calculated in accordance with the Charging Methodology set out in Section K, of which the SEC Panel costs make up an element of the overall charges as pass-through costs. The Authority has a role in determining whether the costs have been efficiently and economically incurred, however the SEC Panel and SECAS do not have a role to play.
- Taking forward transitional policy – BEIS continue to ‘hold the pen’ for all transitional matters. However, SECAS support the Modifications Process for enduring change and provide Critical Friend support to Parties wishing to raise changes to the Code.