Technical Consultancy Support - Gas Safety Framework

Description

The Commission for Energy Regulation (the ‘CER’) is the independent body responsible for overseeing the liberalisation of Ireland's energy sector. The enactment of the Gas (Interim) (Regulation) Act, 2002 expanded the CER's responsibilities to include regulation of the natural gas market. The Energy Safety Division of the CER has responsibility for regulating the natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) industries with respect to safety. The current Natural Gas Safety Framework provides the basis for regulating the Natural Gas Industry and has been in operation since 2007. The CER’s safety regulatory powers were increased to include LPG in 2012, due to the introduction of new legislation, The Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2012. The legislation also gives the CER increased enforcement functions in relation to both Natural Gas and LPG safety. A project is currently being undertaken by the Gas Safety Framework Team in CER to update the Natural Gas Safety Regulatory Framework to give effect to these new powers. This work will lead to CER regulating and licencing LPG undertakings from a safety perspective and will also establish internally and externally the relevant new enforcement processes required under the Gas Safety Framework. The CER currently wishes to engage technical consultancy support to: 1. assist the Gas Safety Framework Team in the project to revise the Gas Safety Regulatory Framework; and, 2. advise CER generally on technical issues relating to the work of the safety division with respect to gas and LPG safety. A detailed specification of requirements is set out in Section 2 of the attached Request for Tender document.