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Today @Ofgem has published its final determinations for Transmission and Gas Distribution energy networks. These control how much of consumers’ money these network companies can spend over the next 5 years. 
https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications-and-updates/ofgem-gives-go-ahead-40-billion-investment-programme-stronger-greener-and-fairer-gb-energy-system
https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications-and-updates/ofgem-gives-go-ahead-40-billion-investment-programme-stronger-greener-and-fairer-gb-energy-system
These are hugely complex decisions in which the regulator has to balance value for consumers against profits and shareholder returns. £billions are at stake. 
At the start of RIIO-2 we set 5 criteria that we thought Ofgem needed to meet to make RIIO-2 a success for consumers. The good news for consumers is that Ofgem is on track to meet all of these outcomes.
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/policy/policy-research-topics/energy-policy-research-and-consultation-responses/energy-consultation-responses/citizens-advice-riio-2-framework-consultation-response/
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/policy/policy-research-topics/energy-policy-research-and-consultation-responses/energy-consultation-responses/citizens-advice-riio-2-framework-consultation-response/
Key for us was to address excess company profits. @Ofgem has set much lower levels of shareholder returns than they previously did in RIIO-1. Consumers benefit by approx £2.5billion or about £10 a year less on the bill for network costs, and companies can still invest. 
This is genuine progress from RIIO-1, but we have argued that Ofgem could have gone further in limiting shareholder returns and still believe that to be the case. https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/policy/policy-research-topics/energy-policy-research-and-consultation-responses/energy-consultation-responses/citizens-advice-response-to-riio-2-draft-determinations-for-transmission-gas-distribution-and-electricity-system-operator/
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/policy/policy-research-topics/energy-policy-research-and-consultation-responses/energy-consultation-responses/citizens-advice-response-to-riio-2-draft-determinations-for-transmission-gas-distribution-and-electricity-system-operator/
Beyond the headline figures, there's much to welcome in this price control. Networks will be critical to the net zero transition. This decision makes sure companies can access funding for essential infrastructure projects quickly while making sure consumers’ money is well spent.
Companies have provided more evidence to Ofgem after the draft determinations, & that has increased certainty of the need to spend consumers’ money. It's good news that Ofgem has recognised the need to consult with stakeholders and consumers for any further net zero spend. 
We’d argued for Ofgem to expand their vulnerability package in response to COVID. Ofgem increased the package to £132m doubling the amount of “use it or lose it” money available from £30m to £60m which will mean better help for many people who need extra support. 
But this might not be the end of the story. Energy networks will be watching the outcome of the @CMAgovUK water appeal. 
The CMA’s final decision on water will have a big influence on whether any energy networks appeal Ofgem’s RIIO-2 decision to the CMA.
The CMA’s final decision on water will have a big influence on whether any energy networks appeal Ofgem’s RIIO-2 decision to the CMA.
@CMAgovUK provisional findings have increased shareholder returns. We've argued that the evidence shows that shareholder returns should be lower than where Ofwat and Ofgem have set them. 
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/wales/about-us/policy/policy-research-topics/water-consultation-responses/cma-pr19-appeal-provisional-findings-citizens-advice-response/
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/wales/about-us/policy/policy-research-topics/water-consultation-responses/cma-pr19-appeal-provisional-findings-citizens-advice-response/
TLDR the @CMAgovUK could end up pushing consumers’ costs up. @CitizensAdvice‘s @jamesplunkett sets out the potential consumer impact of the CMA’s provisional findings in this excellent thread. 
https://twitter.com/jamestplunkett/status/1322110542840999937
https://twitter.com/jamestplunkett/status/1322110542840999937
