Speaking at the Water UK City Conference on Wednesday, Rogerson said the process of allowing retail exit is “a challenge” after the provision for retail exit was added only two months before the bill passed into law, but that it remains achievable.
He said that the industry also needs to “pick up the pace” in introducing the reforms to ensure the market will be ready to open in April 2017.
Rogerson added: “Because the changes to enable retail exit were included at a late stage in the passage of the Water Bill, there is still much to do.
“We now need to develop the detailed regulation how exit will work for all parties – customer, the water companies and for new entrants.”
Water Industry Commission for Scotland chief executive Alan Sutherland, who had been tasked with overseeing the development of the market reforms until Ofwat overhauled the scheme for a second time last month, said that good progress is being made and “substantial momentum” in support of the programme has gathered.
He added: “From where I sit, I have absolutely no doubt the retail market open in April 2017. No ifs, no buts.”
Ofwat chairman Jonson Cox said the changes to the scheme made by the regulator were done as the regulator tries to “stabilise” the programme.
He added: “We have all been working hard to find the best way to deliver it.”