Established in April 2024, TIG has played a significant role in developing several major Energy Theft‑related Change Proposals (CPs). While these efforts have delivered successful outcomes, REC has noted a recent decline in the number of new theft‑related Issues and CPs, prompting a review of how best to manage future work in this area.

CHIG, a well‑established and highly attended forum, now provides end‑to‑end support for REC Change Issues, including solution development, industry engagement, and governance processing. Many existing TIG participants already contribute actively to CHIG discussions.

Under REC’s proposal:

• All future Energy Theft Issues will be managed through CHIG.
• CHIG will feature a standing agenda item dedicated to Energy Theft.
• Issue‑specific working groups will be formed where deeper specialist focus is required—for example, work underway on I0265 Theft Calculator Usage & Suitability Assessment.
• TIG may be re‑established in the future should issue volumes or industry needs increase.

The REC Code Manager expressed thanks to TIG members for their contributions to date and emphasised that collaboration will continue within the CHIG environment.

During the recent TIG, several attendees shared concerns regarding the transition:

Some participants highlighted that theft specialists who routinely support TIG may not have capacity to attend monthly CHIG meetings, risking a reduction in expert input. REC clarified that attendance would only be required for the Energy Theft agenda slot, not the entire CHIG meeting.

Concerns were raised that discussions could become less candid in a larger forum—particularly if Ofgem or other wider audiences are present. TIG has historically provided a space for more open exchange on sensitive theft matters.

Several members questioned whether fewer issues are being raised because key stakeholders may not be participating, rather than because issues do not exist.

Participants noted that best‑practice sharing across the theft community is already limited, and some fear that integration could further reduce opportunities for industry learning.

The Chair of the UK Revenue Protection Association (UKRPA) also expressed similar concerns during the discussion, echoing members’ observations on the importance of maintaining specialist insight and open dialogue.
However, the UKRPA Chair acknowledged the rationale behind REC’s decision and reiterated that the UKRPA continues to provide a dedicated forum for:

• sharing best practice,
• discussing operational theft challenges,
• supporting industry collaboration, and
• offering technical input to RECCo and the REC Code Manager when required.

Its Chair emphasised that the UKRPA remains committed to working closely with REC to help the industry address Energy Theft and safety issues effectively.

Addressing Long‑standing Installation Barriers

Historically, scenarios where the meter supply neutral was taken from a shared neutral/earth (N/E) block were recorded under B07, a code requiring the job to be stopped and the Distribution Network Operator (DNO) to attend—even when no network intervention was necessary. This process resulted in avoidable delays, extra costs, and poorer customer journeys.

The introduction of C21 provides a more accurate reporting route for these non‑standard PME arrangements, enabling Meter Operator Agents (MOAs) to continue installations safely without requiring automatic escalation. The update aligns data guidance in DI51121 / J1824 with current field conditions. 

Industry Support and Expected Benefits

The proposal received unanimous backing from respondents representing both DNOs and other industry parties. Feedback highlighted the value of reducing unnecessary aborts, cutting back on unproductive DNO callouts, and improving installation success rates—particularly important during large‑scale programmes such as meter exchanges and legacy equipment removals.

Responses indicated varied implementation lead times across organisations, ranging from just a few days to several months. To support a consistent, coordinated rollout across all affected parties, a six‑month lead time was agreed upon.

Governance and Implementation

The change was reviewed and approved through the REC Metering Expert Panel (RECMEP), with updates made to STIRG guidance and associated legal drafting. The governance process confirmed that the change is low‑cost, proportionate, and beneficial for both operational performance and consumers. 

Implementation will follow a “big bang” approach on 27 February 2026, ensuring all market participants adopt the updated reporting code simultaneously. 

A Step Toward Greater Efficiency

The introduction of C21 marks a practical improvement in addressing real‑world installation scenarios. By reducing unnecessary site visits and simplifying how non‑standard PME arrangements are reported, the change is ex