Metering and smoother transactions prioritised in MOSL plans

Non-domestic water market operator MOSL has set out five key programmes for the coming year with its strategic metering review and bilateral transactions taking centre stage in its draft business plan for 2022/23.

The group will continue undertaking its data insight programme, market performance framework, and modernisation of systems as well as the work on metering and bilateral transactions.

The strategic metering review began last year after being identified as necessary to improve accuracy and timeliness of meter reads. A metering committee was formed to oversee the programme and explore technology as well as responsibilities towards metering. This will include reviewing requirements for trade effluent meters in the market and developing a data standard for what information should be collected regardless of technology type.

Sarah McMath, chief executive of MOSL, said the programmes undertaken by the group will feed into the wider water agenda. She said: “As the Environment Bill has passed into law, water companies begin planning their Water Resource Management Plans (WRMPs), and as Ofwat begins to consult on PR24 and the upcoming Retail Exit Code (REC) review, we believe now is a critical time for the market. Our improvement programmes do not exist in isolation, they are designed to complement wider improvement activities and I look forward to working with you as we deliver them.”

The bilateral transactions programme is expected to be delivered during 2022/23 following the launch of the bilateral hub last year  to simplify interactions between wholesalers and retailers.

MOSL said costs are higher than budgeted with the programme expected to cost 30% more than forecast due to redesigns of the system. McMath said this will ensure the solution is right for MOSL members and will bring benefits expected to be higher than the programme costs.

During 2022/23 the group will deliver 33 new processes including supply point deregistration and trade effluent consent.

A further four projects that were part of MOSL’s longer term business plan to 2025 – market governance, cost to serve efficiency, code simplification and channel management – have now been reclassified as business as usual services.

The organisation will run a consultation on its draft plan for 2022/23 until 25 January ahead of the final plan being published on 8 February.