Energy licence modification appeals 2026
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is considering appeals by 5 energy companies against modifications made on 3 February 2026 to gas distribution licences, following Ofgem’s RIIO-3 price control decisions.
Administrative timetable
Published on 10 April 2026, as required by Rule 13 of the Energy Licence Modification Appeals: Competition and Markets Authority Rules (CMA70). Any changes to the timetable will be published on this page.
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| 30 September 2026 | Statutory deadline for final determinations |
| July/August 2026 | Issue of provisional determinations |
| June 2026 | Main hearings |
| 23 April 2026 | Deadline for Ofgem’s response to the notices of appeal and for any applications for permission to intervene |
| 31 March 2026 | Permissions to appeal granted |
| 17 March 2026 | Ofgem lodged submissions on whether permissions to appeal should be granted |
| 3 March 2026 | Permission to appeal sought by 5 parties |
Appeal group appointed
31 March 2026: The CMA has appointed a group of 3 panel members to determine the appeals.
- Kirstin Baker (Chair)
- Robin Cohen
- Colleen Keck
CMA decision on permission
31 March 2026: The CMA has granted permission to appeal on all grounds pleaded by the following appellants:
- Cadent Gas Limited
- Northern Gas Networks Limited
- Southern Gas Networks plc and Scotland Gas Networks plc (joint application)
- Wales & West Utilities Limited
Permission is granted subject to the condition that the grounds of appeal relating to the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority (GEMA)’s assessment of Ongoing Efficiency, which each of the appellants has raised in their respective notices of appeal, be considered together.
- (31.3.26)
- (31.3.26)
- (31.3.26)
- (31.3.26)
Notices of appeal
3 March 2026: 5 licence holders sought permission to appeal the decision by GEMA (Ofgem’s governing body) of 3 February 2026 on proposed modifications to the gas distribution licences. These licence modifications are based on Ofgem’s RIIO-3 price control decisions of 4 December 2025, which set out how much energy companies can charge their customers.
- (6.3.26)
- (6.3.26)
- (6.3.26)
- (6.3.26)
Contact
Personal data
The CMA may collect, use and share personal data for energy licence modification appeals made to the CMA under the Gas Act 1986. This includes processing personal data for the purposes of the UK General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018.
For more information about how the CMA handles personal data, read our personal information charter.
Updates to this page
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Administrative timetable published.
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Permission granted to appeal, and appeal group appointed.
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Timetable updated.
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First published.