Ofgem launches probe into Cadent’s record keeping

Cadent will be investigated by Ofgem to determine if the company failed to keep records of gas pipes, (known as risers) in some blocks of flats.

The gas network distribution company said it identified some of its records for high-rise buildings were not contained in its digitised records and as a result were not part of its 10-yearly survey.

Cadent told Utility Week the Grenfell Tower in north London, where 71 people died after a fire broke out in June last year, is not one of the buildings it missed out in its survey. It said the building had been surveyed in 2016.

The company said it notified the regulator about its discovery in early February. Cadent confirmed to Utility Week it is now surveying more than 1,000 buildings, approximately 0.01 per cent of the properties it transports gas to in its network.

Cadent, formerly known as National Grid Gas Distribution, owns, operates and maintains four of the eight regional gas distribution networks in the West Midlands, the North West, the East of England and north London, and has a responsibility to keep records of these, Ofgem said.

Ofgem’s investigation, launched today (11 April) will look at whether Cadent kept and maintained records for all its risers, whether it has the appropriate systems in place to do so and whether it maintains an efficient and economical pipeline system.

“The opening of this investigation does not imply that we have made any findings about non-compliance”, Ofgem said.

A spokesperson for Cadent, added: “Between January and February 2018 Cadent identified that just some of our records regarding high-rise buildings – buildings of six storeys and above – were not contained on our digitised records and were therefore not part of our regular 10-yearly survey programme.

“As a consequence, we informed Ofgem at the earliest opportunity in early February and have continued regular progress briefings to date.

“Alongside this we immediately implemented a survey recovery programme to resolve the issue as quickly and effectively as possible.  This programme of work will be substantially completed in July 2018.

“Cadent will fully co-operate with Ofgem’s investigation, but at this stage it is not appropriate to comment further.”

The investigation will consider if Cadent has complied with the relevant conditions set out in its gas transporter licence and its duty under Section 9 of the Gas Act 1986.

Cadent is marking its first birthday this month after it left its former parent company National Grid last year to become a new, independent organisation.