Electricity North West takes full control of power supply chain

BIRCHWOOD-based Electricity North West, which owns the North West’s electricity network, has bought United Utilities Electricity Services Ltd, for an undisclosed sum.

The purchase of UUES, which is contracted to operate and maintain the network on behalf of Electricity North West, means the company will now comprise of one group which owns, operates, manages and maintains its network.

The company said the deal would allow it to address “the challenges” of energy regulator Ofgem’s latest price control and deliver investment in the region’s electricity network.

In January last year,Ofgem has launched an investigation into the terms imposed by ENW on independent networks connecting to its pre-exisitng network, following allegations that ENW has abused its dominant market position to shut out competition.

ENW, formerly United Utilities Electricity, operates and maintains the electricity distribution network in the North West. It was sold by United Utilities in 2007 for £1.7bn.