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Frequently Asked Questions

This section is a quick resource for all your Performance Assurance questions. You’ll find links to other sites as well as handy digestible information. If you cannot find the answer below or have any additional queries, please contact us and we’ll be happy to help.

 
 

Performance Assurance Committee

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Performance Assurance Framework

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Other Information

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Performance Assurance Committee

The Performance Assurance Committee (PAC) is an annually elected body of representatives from UNC parties.
The PAC has two constituencies: 9 elected Shipper representatives and 3 Transport representatives.

  • The Transporter constituency is 2 large Transporters and 1 Independent Gas Transporter (IGT).
  • The Shipper constituency has representatives from organisations across all markets

The PACs role is to act as a responsible and independent body to oversee the Performance Assurance regime in the UNC.

  • The PAC meet monthly toDiscuss areas of industry performance,
  • Review risks identified by industry that impact the success of the performance assurance regime and
  • Hear progress of those Parties that have been subject to the PACs Performance Assurance Techniques.
  • Decide on actions required to mitigate risks to settlement accuracy.

The PAC consider:

  • External factors potentially impacting performance
  • Industry concerns on operational difficulties
  • UNC requirements and their contribution to settlement accuracy
  • The accountability of Parties in ensuring the overall settlement landscape remains accurate through meeting UNC obligations.

The PAC are supplemented by monthly reports which are called PARR reports (performance Assurance report registers)

  • These look at a variety of performance targets across industry as set out in the UNC.
  • The PARR reports suite can be added to or reviewed at any point in order to keep the data reported on fresh and relevant. To find out more about PARR reports click here.

The PAC manages risks to settlement through a risk register and a risk evaluation tool which in turn drives the steer of the PAC into specific areas of concern.

For more information on the current PAC risks and how you can get involved, click here.
The area of the UNC which contains all Performance Assurance related information is TPD V (General) Section 16 (Performance Assurance) and can be accessed on the Joint Office website here.

 
 

Performance Assurance Framework

The Performance Assurance Framework Administrator (PAFA) is the main administrator for the PAC.

The PAFA carries out;

  • Monthly PARR reporting,
  • Provides anonymised and non-anonymised versions for different industry views,
  • Manages the performance assurance techniques on behalf of the PAC,
  • Created and maintains the new risk register and risk evaluation toll on a monthly basis.

The PAFA also carry out annual tasks, such as;

  • Annual reviews,
  • Workplans, and
  • Suggests areas of improvement for the PAC to focus on throughout the year.
  • Provide the Gas Performance Assurance Portal (GPAP), including a secure file sharing Platform; and
  • Adhoc workgroups to steer strategy.

The PAFA is commissioned through a competitive tender process, carried out by the Central Data Service Provider (CDSP) and terms can last anywhere between two-four years. Gemserv have held the position of PAFA since the regime’s inception in 2017.

The PAFA are here to answer any questions you may have on matters related to;

  • The framework,
  • UNC targets,
  • Code obligations,
  • Questions about your performance,
  • Performance improvement plan queries and
  • Much more.

The PAFA is subject to the Annual review process which takes place in September. This process is developed by the PAFA and reviewed and contributed to by the PAC.

This looks a various area of operation within the regime including;

  • The Framework,
  • The PAC,
  • The PAFA,
  • The CDSP and
  • Operational issues.

This is the industry an opportunity to feed into the regime and aids the PAC in creating their annual forward workplan for the next year.

In 2022, we will be hosting an industry engagement session which will give parties an overview of the

  • Regime within the gas landscape,
  • Deep dives into areas of current priority and
  • An opportunity for direct feedback via an anonymised platform.

The PAC are hoping that this will bring in wider engagement and a more holistic view from industry parties. To find out more about this webinar, please click here.

The Performance Assurance Framework document (PAFD) is the document at the heart of the regime and sets out the responsibilities of the PAC, PAFA and CDSP.

It also includes the ways in which the PAC can incentivise the industry to improve performance including Performance Assurance Techniques.

 
 

Other Information

  • The Joint Office of Gas Transporters (JO) is the Code Administrator of the UNC, the code under which the Gas Performance Assurance regime falls.
  • The JO both Chair and administer the monthly PAC meetings and host many Performance Assurance related documents on their website, mainly pertaining to meeting documentation and frameworks.
  • The Joint Office administer the Uniform Network Code and, therefore, make changes to the code through the change process.

The JO can be called on for any meeting related queries. Their website can be accessed here.

  • The CDSP is the Central Data Service Provider and are the custodians of the gas central systems, namely UK Link and Gemini.
  • The CDSP are the providers of data to the PAFA for gas settlement. They are also called upon to provide adhoc data to the PAFA at their request and by request of the PAC.
  • The CDSP are also the body who is responsible for holding the contract with the PAFA which includes running a tender process and managing the day-to-day contract arrangements with the PAFA on behalf of the industry.
  • The CDSP are observers in PAC meetings and are subject to the regime under Code. This includes being subject to the annual review.