Ofgem has revealed the final amount of charges that have been deferred by network companies over a three-month period in response to Covid-19.
In June, three schemes were announced which allowed networks, as a last resort, to put off up to £350 million worth of charges relating to gas transportation, electricity distribution and electricity transmission. The schemes have now closed.
The regulator revealed that a total of more than £65 million has been deferred– an increase of more than £26 million in the past month. The firms are required to pay these charges in full by March next year.
In total, 18 firms deferred charges under at least one of the schemes, the development and management of which involved the Energy Networks Association (ENA) and the Joint Office of Gas Transporters.
Elsewhere in the sector, other support schemes have been introduced in order to help energy retailers mitigate the impacts of the pandemic on consumers.
Following the introduction of restrictions in March, the government and power suppliers agreed emergency measures, including the suspension of the disconnection of credit meters, to ensure the most vulnerable customers were protected.
Those in financial distress are to be supported by their supplier by measures including debt repayments and bills being reassessed, reduced or paused where necessary.