Registered number: 04112320 (England and Wales)
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
Annual Report and Financial Statements
for the Year Ended 31 December 2021
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
Contents
Company Information 1
Strategic Report 2 to 19
Directors' Report 20 to 24
Independent Auditor's Report 25 to 33
Statement of Profit or Loss 34
Statement of Comprehensive Income 35
Statement of Financial Position 36 to 37
Statement of Changes in Equity 38
Statement of Cash Flows 39
Notes to the Financial Statements 40 to 81
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
Company Information
Directors
A J Maclennan
A R Marshall
A P Jones
P A Jones
P C Taylor
T H France
Company Secretary
J C Riley
Registered office
Lloyds Court
78 Grey Street
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 6AF
Registered number
04112320 (England and Wales)
Auditor
Deloitte LLP
Statutory auditor
Newcastle upon Tyne
United Kingdom
Page 1
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
Strategic Report for the Year Ended 31 December 2021
The directors present the annual reports and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2021 of
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc (the "Company"), which have been drawn up and presented in accordance
with the Companies Act 2006.
BUSINESS MODEL
The Company is as an authorised distributor under the Electricity Act 1989 and holds a Licence granted by the
Secretary of State. As a distribution network operator ("DNO"), the Company is regulated by the Office of Gas
and Electricity Markets (“Ofgem”), which in turn, is governed by the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority
(“GEMA”). Ofgem requires the DNOs to operate within a regulatory framework known as a price control, the
purpose of which is to protect the interests of end consumers by setting an upper limit on the amount the DNOs
can charge for the use of their networks. The completion of the 2020/21 Regulatory Year (on 31 March 2021),
represented the end of year six of the current RIIO-ED1 price control, which became effective on 1 April 2015
and is due to end on 31 March 2023 (the “ED1 period”).
The principal activity of the Company is the distribution of electricity to approximately 2.3 million customers
connected to its electricity distribution network (the “Network”) throughout the areas of West Yorkshire, East
Yorkshire, almost all of South Yorkshire, together with parts of North Yorkshire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire,
Lincolnshire and Lancashire. The Company's Network includes over 55,000 kilometres of overhead and
underground cables and over 36,000 substations. Electricity is received from National Grid's transmission
system and from generators connected directly to the Network, and then distributed at voltages of up to 132
kilovolts.
The majority of revenue generated by the Company is controlled by a distribution price control formula which is
set out in the Licence. The price control formula does not directly constrain profits from year-to-year but is a
control on revenue that operates independently of a significant portion of the Company’s costs. Allowed
revenue is recovered from electricity suppliers via the application of Distribution use of System charges. These
charges account for approximately 15% of the electricity end user’s overall electricity bill. The Company’s
opening base allowed revenue (excluding the effects of incentive schemes and any deferred revenues from the
prior price control) has been set to remain constant and therefore provides the Company with some stability in
terms of its income for each Regulatory Year from 1 April 2016 through to 31 March 2023. Nominal opening
base allowed revenues will increase in line with inflation (as measured by the United Kingdom's Retail Prices
Index “RPI”).
STRATEGY
In common with Northern Powergrid Holdings Company and its subsidiaries (the “Northern Powergrid
Group”), the Company operates a strategy based on six core principles (the "Core Principles"), which comprise
Financial Strength, Customer Service, Operational Excellence, Employee Commitment, Environmental Respect
and Regulatory Integrity. The Core Principles (which are applied by the Northern Powergrid Group’s parent
company, Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company ("Berkshire Hathaway Energy")), set out the basis on which
the Company generates shareholder value over the longer-term and defines the standards by which the Northern
Powergrid Group holds itself accountable. Each Core Principle is defined by a strategic objective which is
intrinsically linked to the commitments made in the Company’s 2015 to 2023 regulatory well-justified business
plan (“the Business Plan”).
Page 2
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
Strategic Report for the Year Ended 31 December 2021 (continued)
Submitted to Ofgem in March 2014, the Business Plan described the long-term strategy and commitments that
the Company would achieve during the ED1 period in order to deliver sustainable growth with regard to those
with whom the Company interacted and served. Developed after a period of consultation with stakeholders, the
Business Plan focused on a number of priorities (described throughout the Strategic Report) including
minimising costs, improving flood defences, enhancing customer service, prioritising employee safety,
supporting vulnerable customers, protecting the environment and transitioning to low carbon technologies. The
directors refer to the values established by the Core Principles and the commitments contained within the
Business Plan when considering the consequence of decisions they make.
Following the publication of RIIO-ED2 (“ED2”) Business Planning guidance by Ofgem in August 2020, the
Company commenced the development of its regulatory business plan for the ED2 period (1 April 2023 to 31
March 2028) (the “ED2 Plan”), which was submitted to Ofgem on 1 December 2021 (a copy of which can be
found on the Northern Powergrid Group website). As part of the development of the ED2 Plan, the Company
worked with the Customer Engagement Group (“CEG”), which was established for the purpose of providing
independent scrutiny and challenge to ensure that customers’ interests are adequately reflected in the ED2 Plan.
Ahead of the implementation of the ED2 Plan on 1 April 2023, the Company will participate in open hearings
with Ofgem and interested stakeholders and consultations before Ofgem publishes its final determination in
December 2022 (for further detail, see Regulatory Integrity).
The delivery of the Business Plan is supported by an annual business plan (the “Annual Plan”) which is
submitted to the Northern Powergrid Group’s shareholder each financial year and is designed to phase progress
towards the achievement of each commitment over the duration of the ED1 period. The phasing ensures that the
deliverables in both plans can be measured effectively by using a mix of financial and non-financial Key
Performance Indicators (“KPI”).
The Strategic Report focuses on each Core Principle and the performance of the associated KPIs throughout the
year in order to provide a summary of the success in achieving each strategic objective, progress made against
certain Business Plan commitments and performance in relation to the Annual Plan.
FINANCIAL STRENGTH
Strategic objective:
Strong finances that enable improvement and growth.
KPI 2021 2020
Operating profit (million)
£212.2 £186.1
Cash from operating activities (million) £269.7 £223.1
Cash used in investing activities (million) (£213.9) (£209.5)
Credit Rating (Standard & Poor's) A A
Business Plan commitment:
To build on the efficiencies achieved to date and in doing so, reduce base costs by
3.1% in 2015 to 2023 compared to the previous price control period.
Performance during the year:
The Company continued to maintain good control in respect of both its capital
and operating costs by effectively managing the financial risks that could have had an adverse impact on its
business. Six years through the ED1 period, the Company had implemented efficiencies equivalent to a 4%
reduction in base costs relative to the prior regulatory period.
Revenue:
The Company's revenue at £467.4 million was £30.1 million higher than the prior year (2020: £437.3
million) primarily due to higher distribution use of system revenues as the result of higher tariffs and the impact
of Covid-19 Pandemic ("the Pandemic") between the years.
Page 3
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
Strategic Report for the Year Ended 31 December 2021 (continued)
Operating profit and position at the year-end:
The Company's operating profit of £212.2 million was £26.1
million more than the previous year (2020: £186.1 million), primarily reflecting higher revenues (£30.1 million)
and lower pension deficit repair contributions (£7.0 million) offset by higher depreciation (£6.8 million) and
higher bad debts (£3.1 million). The statement of financial position on page 36 shows that, at 31 December 2021
the Company had total equity of £1,627.9 million (2020: £1,561.5 million). The directors consider the Company
to have a strong financial position which, when coupled with the preference of its parent company, Berkshire
Hathaway Energy for operating with lower levels of debt than equivalent companies in the sector, creates a
stable base for continued strong performance during the ED1 period.
Finance costs and investments:
Finance costs net of investment income at £37.1 million was £1.0 million
lower than the prior year (2020: £38.1 million) mainly reflecting full year impact of refinancing at lower rates in
the prior year.
Cash flow:
The Company aims to collect from customers and pay suppliers within contracted terms. Any
surplus cash held is remitted to Yorkshire Electricity Group plc ("YEG"), a company in the Northern Powergrid
Group, and invested accordingly, generating a market rate of return for the Company. Movements in cash flows
were as follows:
• Cash flow from operating activities at £269.7 million was £46.6 million higher than the previous year,
reflecting higher operating profit before depreciation and amortisation and lower tax paid following changes
in payment on account arrangements in the prior year.
• The net cash used in investing activities at £213.9 million was £4.4 million higher than the previous year,
reflecting higher purchases of plant, property and equipment offset by higher receipts of customer
contributions.
• The net cash outflow from financing activities at £76.0 million was £217.2 million lower than the previous
year mainly due to the £200 million repayment in 2020.
Pensions:
The Company is a participating employer in the Northern Powergrid Group of the Electricity Supply
Pension Scheme (the "DB Scheme"), a defined benefit scheme. Further details of the Company's commitments
to the Scheme and the associated deficit repair payments are provided in Note 26 to the financial statements.
The Company also participates in the Northern Powergrid Pension Scheme, which is a defined contribution
scheme.
Insurance:
As part of its insurance and risk strategy, the Northern Powergrid Group has in place insurance
policies, which cover risks associated with employees, third party motor and public liability. The Northern
Powergrid Group carries appropriate excesses on those policies and is effectively self-insured up to the level of
those excesses.
CUSTOMER SERVICE
Strategic objective:
Delivering exceptional customer service.
KPI 2021 2020
Broad Measure of Customer Satisfaction ("BMCS") 88.4% 89.3%
BMCS Rank (out of 14) 13 13
BMCS Power Cuts 88.4% 89.9%
BMCS General Enquiries 93.7% 91.8%
BMCS Connections 86.3% 88%
Stakeholder Engagement and Customer Vulnerability (“SECV”) rank (out of
5) (combined with Northern Powergrid (Northeast) plc) 5 3
Business plan commitment:
To provide a reliable, better communicated and faster customer service offering
through a range of channels to suit stakeholder needs.
Page 4
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
Strategic Report for the Year Ended 31 December 2021 (continued)
Performance during the year:
Storm Arwen had a significant impact upon a relatively small number of
Northern Powergrid’s customers, with some households being left without power for prolonged periods. The
scale and nature of the event meant that Northern Powergrid’s strong levels of customer service was affected,
due to the number of customers who needed help, high call volumes and overwhelming website demand.
Northern Powergrid recognises the impact going without power can have on its customers and is working with
Ofgem to ensure those who were affected are properly compensated and that improvements are made in the
future.
The impact of extreme weather events such as Storm Arwen are largely excluded from the Customer Service
KPIs. Under the BMCS, an independent market research company carried out telephone surveys with the
Company’s customers to find out how satisfied they were with services related to unplanned or planned power
cuts, quotations and subsequent connections, and general enquiries. The Company recorded a marginal decline
in overall satisfaction scores at 88.4% compared to the prior year (89.3%) maintaining an overall BMCS rank of
13 out of 14.
To further enhance the service provided to customers a number of initiatives from the Company’s customer
service improvement plan were implemented during the year. This included the continued development of the
customer relationship management (“CRM”) system, including the roll-out of CRM Go for unplanned power
cuts which provides improved real-time customer communication during an outage, the transition to a six-region
structure within Connections and the continued rollout of a ‘Customer First’ training programme which was
introduced to improve the proactivity and effectiveness of communication with customers.
Activity scheduled to take place during 2022 is to focus on technology enablement including the development of
the CRM system to enhance outbound communications in support of the enduring connections solution as a
self-serve offering for low carbon technology additional load requests. The deployment of a new contact centre
telephony platform and an upgrade to the Northern Powergrid Group’s external website is also due to take place
in 2022.
Connections to the network
Business plan commitments:
To further implement customer service improvements in support of the
commitment to reduce routine, small works end-to-end connections lead times by 30% during the ED1 period,
actively facilitate the development of competition from independent connections providers ("ICPs") and deliver
the major works service improvement plan as part of the Ofgem Incentive on Connections Engagement (“ICE”).
Performance during the year:
Reducing end-to-end connections lead times continued to pose a challenge and,
as such, work to improve the level of customer service within the small works connections business (measured
by the BMCS connections KPI) continued. In support of this, the process whereby one individual assumes
responsibility throughout each connections process from creating a quotation on site (using the quote-on-site
technology) to the final delivery of the connection itself was further embedded. By continuing to introduce
further enhancements, the Company is confident that whilst a 30% reduction in end-to-end lead times will be
challenging, (currently at 19%) it remains achievable by the end of the ED1 period.
The Company continued to comply with the processes set out in Standard Licence Condition 52 and the
Competition in Connections Code of Practice. This included the provision of dual quotations, enabling ICPs to
self-determine points of connection to the existing Network and self-approve designs, and by facilitating the
self-connection of new assets to the Company’s low and high voltage networks by suitably accredited ICP
operatives as a contestable activity.
In relation to the Company’s ICE commitments for the 2020/21 regulatory period, the 18 actions included in the
service improvement work plan were successfully delivered.
Corporate responsibility
Business Plan commitment:
To build effective relationships with stakeholders whilst maximising the value of
contact with customers, especially those who are vulnerable and hard to reach
Page 5
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
Strategic Report for the Year Ended 31 December 2021 (continued)
Performance during the year:
In May 2021, the Company (together with Northern Powergrid (Northeast) plc)
put forward its SECV submission to Ofgem in respect of work undertaken during the 2020/21 Regulatory Year.
The material provided an overview of activities and case studies in areas such as support for vulnerable
customers, decarbonisation, safety, environment, customer service, reliability and availability. Following the
review by Ofgem's panel, the Company achieved fifth place (of five) in the context of the DNOs, a step down
from third place in the prior Regulatory Year. In response, an external assessment of the approach to
engagement, fuel poverty provision and support provided to vulnerable customers was undertaken and
improvement plans were subsequently established.
During the year, the Company continued to develop its routine engagement activity by enhancing existing
relationships with elected representatives at the local council and parliamentary level as well as with civic
leaders from Local Enterprise Partnerships, particularly during periods of severe weather and when providing
support to vulnerable customers. In addition, virtual one-to-one and group engagement sessions were held (and
attended by the CEG) for the purpose of understanding stakeholders’ priorities and opinion on commitments
developed and the level of proposed investment set out in the draft and then subsequent ED2 Plan. The
feedback, along with an understanding of customers’ willingness to accept various proposals provided
invaluable insight, enabling the board and senior managers to critically evaluate a range of stakeholder opinions
in order to inform the finalization of the ED2 Plan.
The continuing challenges of the Pandemic and restrictions meant that the way in which the Company and its
partners provided support to vulnerable customers has continued to be primarily via website and telephone
advice and support. This enabled more people to access the services and has continued as part of a hybrid
delivery model. Where necessary and safe, partners have looked to deliver face- to-face advice and share energy
efficiency advice and tools to those who cannot use online channels. The Company’s Community Partnering
Fund (in conjunction with Northern Gas Networks) funded 15 organisations who deliver a range of services
including fuel poverty and energy efficiency advice, electrical and gas safety, help recruit vulnerable customers
to the Priority Services Register and support with Pandemic resilience. An additional £50,000 was shared with
groups directly working to alleviate food and fuel poverty across the region as a direct result of increasing
pressure on households due to rising fuel prices.
Page 6
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
Strategic Report for the Year Ended 31 December 2021 (continued)
OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE
Strategic objective:
High-quality, efficient operators running a smart reliable energy system.
2020/21 2019/20
KPI Actual Target Actual Target
Customer minutes lost ("CML") 40.0 <54.8 42.1 <56.4
Customer interruptions ("CI") 52.4 <63.0 50.8 <64.1
2021 2020
Network investment (millions) £268.9 £249.0
High voltage restoration time (minutes) 53.7 55.2
Business Plan commitment:
To enhance the reliability of the Network in support of the commitment to achieve
8% fewer unplanned power cuts and reduce the average length of unplanned power cuts by 20% during the ED1
period.
Performance during the year:
CML and CI are the KPIs set by Ofgem and used by the Company to measure
the quality of supply and system performance. Both CML and CI are measured on a regulatory year basis. CML
measures the average number of supply minutes lost for every connected customer due to both planned and
unplanned power cuts that last for three minutes or longer. CI measures the average number of supply
interruptions per every 100 connected customers due to planned and unplanned power cuts that last for three
minutes or longer. Performance during the year was better than Ofgem's target for both CML and CI.
In relation to high voltage restoration, the Company’s high-voltage restoration performance during the year
averaged 53.7 minutes (2020: 55.2 minutes), after allowing for severe weather incidents and other exemptions
(as referenced in Customer Service above).
In respect of the Business Plan commitments, the Company together with its affiliate (Northern Powergrid
(Northeast) plc) had achieved 26% fewer unplanned power cuts and a reduction of the average length of
unplanned power cuts by 34.5% (relative to the prior regulatory period). Progress remains on track to achieve
the continuous improvement target of 30% for the number of unplanned power cuts and 20% to 40% for the
average duration.
The Company invested £268.9 million during the year through its approved Network investment strategy (2020:
£249.0 million), which has been designed to deliver improvements in Network performance and increase
resilience. Various major projects were undertaken to reinforce the primary Network, refurbish transformers,
rebuild overhead lines, remove and replace oil-filled cables, change deteriorated poles, replace switchgear and
install and commission new remote-control points. Routine Network maintenance was completed in addition to
work required to support the Pandemic.
Further Network enhancements included the continued roll-out of the automatic power restoration system on the
high voltage Network. At low voltage the implementation of next generation innovative low voltage technology
devices continued with the addition of low-cost Network monitoring sensors which detect developing faults so
that they can be proactively managed whilst gathering of Network condition information. Initiatives were also
implemented as a result of the Reliability Improvement Plan including increasing the use of mobile generation
to restore supplies and enhancements to vegetation management practices.
By the end of the ED1 Period, the Company expects to deliver a more resilient Network and enhanced outputs
to customers that exceed those originally targeted in the Business Plan. Additional investment in priority areas
such as to underground overhead lines in areas of outstanding natural beauty and remove fluid and gas filled
cables from the Network has been offset by efficiency savings and the use of new technologies. Additionally,
progress has been made on the Company and its affiliate’s new £53.1 million (in 2012/13 prices) green
investment programme that was agreed with Ofgem in early 2021 which will help accelerate progress to net zero
and provide vital regional economic stimulus.
Page 7
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
Strategic Report for the Year Ended 31 December 2021 (continued)
Climate Change Adaptation
Strategic objective:
Operate a highly reliable and resilient Network.
KPI
Business Plan commitment:
To adapt to the effects of climate change by establishing and maintaining flood
defences at all high-risk substations, delivering a programme of vegetation management and working
collaboratively with regional infrastructure providers and local resilience forums.
Performance during the year:
The climate is changing and, despite international efforts to reduce greenhouse
gas emissions, it is expected to continue to change over the course of the century. The Company has worked to
understand the risks and opportunities presented by climate change and has established initiatives in response
such as an industry leading flood mitigation programme and a robust vegetation management programme.
The Company has focused on two climate pathways, one which is in line with the 2oC global warming
considered in the Paris agreement and the second representing the worst-case scenario of a global mean surface
temperature rise of 4.3oC by 2081 to 2100.
By using the latest projections (UKCP18) to carry out a full risk assessment, the Company has identified and
prioritised key climate related risks and their impact on the Network. Once identified, the key risks were
included in the Electricity Networks Association’s Climate Change Adaptation Report which was submitted to
the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (“Defra”) in March 2021 on behalf of all gas and
electricity network operators. The report then contributed to the National Adaptation Plan and accordingly, the
risks were covered in detail in the Company and its affiliate’s Climate Change Adaptation report submitted to
Defra in December 2021 in line with the requirements of the Adaptation Reporting Power under the Climate
Change Act 2008 (available to view on the Northern Powergrid Group website). In July 2021 the Company and
its affiliate published its draft Climate Resilience Strategy for 2023 to 2028 in line with the requirements of
Ofgem and the final version was published in December 2021 (also available on the Northern Powergrid Group
website).
The Company and Northern Powergrid (Northeast) plc have followed the approach laid out in the
supplementary Green Book Guidance on ‘Accounting for the Effects of Climate Change’ published by Defra in
November 2020 and in response, has developed a climate resilience framework in line with the National
Infrastructure Commission’s report (Anticipate, React, Recover: Resilient Infrastructure Systems - published in
May 2020) detailing its approach to Climate Resilience.
In respect of its routine activity, during 2021, the Company and its affiliate invested £5.0 million on flood
mitigation works and £8.6 million on the continuation of the vegetation management programme.
Page 8
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
Strategic Report for the Year Ended 31 December 2021 (continued)
Response to storm Arwen
The Company and its affiliate have robust processes and procedures in place in the form of a Major Incident
Management Plan (“MIMP”), which is deployed during extreme weather events. Employees are well practiced
at operating under MIMP conditions. Nonetheless, storm Arwen was the most significant weather event that the
Company had faced in more than two decades.
A MIMP was triggered on 26 November 2021, following which, to mitigate the loss of supply, switching of the
Network commenced and safety response activities were initiated. Whilst initial repairs to the Network were
hampered by the strength of the wind, 90% of all affected customers had their power restored by 28 November
2021. However, the severity of the damage caused to the Network in more remote rural locations meant that
supplies to all affected customers were not restored until 8 December 2021.
A full review of the response to storm Arwen has been undertaken with oversight from both Ofgem and the
Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (“BEIS”).
EMPLOYEE COMMITMENT
Strategic objective:
High-performing people doing rewarding jobs in a safe and secure workplace.
2021 2020
KPI Actual Target Actual Target
Northern Powergrid Group occupational
safety and health administration
("OSHA") rate 0.29 0.09 0.13 0.13
Preventable vehicle accidents 15 14 15 15
Lost time accidents 3 0 0 2
Restricted duty accidents 1 0 1 0
Medical treatment accidents 0 1 0 0
Operational incidents 7 5 5 5
Northern Powergrid Group absence rate 3.3% 2.8%
Health and safety
Business Plan commitment:
To deliver world class safety performance and half the accident rate during the
ED1 period.
Performance during the year:
In common with the Berkshire Hathaway Energy group, the Northern
Powergrid Group measures its safety performance in terms of the OSHA rate, which is a measure used in the
United States (“US”) to capture safety incidents down to minor levels of medical treatment. The Northern
Powergrid Group failed to meet its target of 0.09 in 2021 having achieved an OSHA rate of 0.29 (2020: 0.13),
which equated to seven recordable incidents against the goal of two or fewer. Whilst this was very
disappointing, none of the incidents themselves were serious and additional training is to be implemented to
reduce the exposure to minor slips, trips and falls - and even dog bites. The Company also had a poor year in
terms of preventable vehicle accidents, with fifteen recorded against a target of fourteen. This was largely
attributed to the lack of passengers acting as ‘spotters’ as a consequence of social distancing in vehicles.
In respect of the Business Plan commitment, at 31 December 2021, the Company’s accident rate had been
reduced by 58%, which was ahead of the target to achieve a 50% reduction by 31 March 2023. The Company
successfully retained its ISO 45001 accreditation scheme for its health and safety management system.
The challenges posed by the Pandemic in relation of safe working practices and procedures were, and remain,
constantly under review by members of the safety team, senior management team, Health and Safety Committee
and the Board, in conjunction with trade union representatives. Robust business continuity plans and risk
management procedures meant that the Company continued to adapt to new ways of working and provide
essential safety and personal protective equipment.
Page 9
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
Strategic Report for the Year Ended 31 December 2021 (continued)
All Company facilities were risk assessed and tailored procedures were implemented to ensure the safety of all
staff in accordance with the latest government guidance.
Improving safety performance remains a priority and the way in which this is achieved is set out in the
Company’s safety and health improvement plan (“SHIP”). During the year, the SHIP focused on more than 50
initiatives in the areas of enhanced engagement, operational performance, risk management, road risk,
occupational health and public safety and included the launch of the Institute of Advanced Motorists programme
and the upgrade of fleet vehicles with new technology and driver assistance packages as standard.
The mental health and wellbeing of staff continues to form an integral part of the SHIP. Existing support
available to employees includes an independent employee assistance service, which is a confidential,
self-referral counselling and information service to assist with personal or work-related problems and access to
services including counselling and physiotherapy referrals.
Page 10
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
Strategic Report for the Year Ended 31 December 2021 (continued)
Employees
Business Plan commitment:
To emphasise the importance of leadership and high standards of performance by
engaging, collaborating and working with employees and their trade union representatives.
Performance during the year:
The changing circumstances of the Pandemic required the Company to continue
to adjust and adapt employee working arrangements. For those that were able, home working continued, as did
the Company’s support offered to working parents or those that were required to self-isolate. Ensuring the safety
and wellbeing of all employees, whether in an office, or for those key workers operating in the field
environment, remained paramount. To help employees understand the frequent changes to government advice,
updates were communicated regularly via multiple channels to ensure that all colleagues were able to continue
to perform their duties safely and effectively. The Company remains committed not only to the physical health,
but to the broader wellbeing of its staff and is aware that for some, the Pandemic has exacerbated mental health
issues including isolation and anxiety. Consequently, weekly wellbeing advice continued to be promoted
alongside the standard support services which are available.
Alongside any new measures, the Company continued to ensure that all colleagues had regular conversations
about their performance with their line managers and leadership engagement continued. Training was delivered
via a number of methods including physically (socially distanced) and online via e-learning such as Customer
First training and the ‘Best Welcome’ corporate induction.
The Company has adopted the Berkshire Hathaway Energy code of business conduct ("Code of Conduct"),
which details the commitment to ethics and compliance with the law, provides reporting mechanisms for known
or suspected ethical or legal violations, and establishes minimum standards of behaviour expected of all
employees. In support of this, a "speaking up" process is in place enabling all employees to raise concerns of
unethical acts, malpractice or impropriety (including bribery or corruption), and an anonymous help line
operated by an independent company is also available. All colleagues complete an annual online training
programme covering the requirements of the Code of Conduct.
During the year, 38 new recruits (2020: 40) joined the Company and Northern Powergrid (Northeast) plc’s
workforce renewal programme. At 31 December 2021, the Company had 1,113 employees (2020: 1,148).
Further information concerning how the Northern Powergrid group is supporting gender diversity in the energy
industry can be found in the Northern Powergrid Group’s gender pay gap report via the Northern Powergrid
Group’s corporate website.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESPECT
Strategic objective:
Leaders in environmental respect and low carbon technologies.
2021 2020
KPI Actual Target Actual Target
Total oil/fluid lost (litres)
21,498
<18,117
24,032
<18,117
SF6 gas discharges (kg) 63.63 <40.50 47.33 <42.75
Environmental incidents 5 <3 5 <3
KWh Energy Consumed 24,397,919 25,577,261
Page 11
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
Strategic Report for the Year Ended 31 December 2021 (continued)
Business carbon footprint Tonnes Per km² Tonnes Per km²
Building electricity use
940
0.1
945
0.1
Substation electricity use
2,743
0.3
3,422
0.3
Fleet fuel use
2,056
0.2
2,033
0.2
Business fuel use
810
0.1
995
0.1
Other (including fugitive emissions)
1,496
0.1
1,124
0.1
Contractor emissions
8,192
0.8
8,152
0.7
Total carbon footprint (tonnes)
16,237
1.5
16,672
1.5
Notes:
KWh energy consumed relates to depot energy and fleet fuel usage.
The chosen business carbon footprint intensity ratio is based on the Company’s licence area which equals 10,902 km.
The methodology adopted to calculate energy and business carbon footprint data is aligned with international standards, those required by
Defra and BEIS and is compliant with ISO 14064-1:2006.
Business Plan commitment:
Deliver Environmental “RESPECT” (Responsibility, Efficiency, Stewardship,
Performance, Evaluation, Communication and Training) and in doing so reduce oil and fluid loss by 15% and
our business carbon footprint by 10% during the ED1 period.
Performance during the year:
The Company operates a United Kingdom Accreditation Service scheme for
environmental management and is certified to the environmental management systems standard ISO
14001:2015 which is designed to enhance environmental performance, fulfil compliance obligations and achieve
environmental objectives, all of which contribute to the achievement of the Company’s KPIs. A full
recertification assessment was carried out in March 2020 and surveillance audits are carried out twice per
calendar year, the last one being conducted in October 2021. Continued certification was confirmed following
each audit.
The Company’s carbon footprint reporting framework is certified under the Certified Emissions Measurement
and Reduction Scheme for compliance with ISO 14064-1:2006. The last full audit was undertaken in August
2021, where continued certification was confirmed. Remote working and less travel have led a further reduction
the Company’s carbon footprint to 16,237 tonnes (2020: 16,672 tonnes). This improvement (combined with
Northern Powergrid (Northeast) plc) demonstrated a carbon footprint reduction of 49% at 31 December 2021,
well ahead of the original 10% commitment and in line with the forecast of 50% by the end of the ED1 Period.
In support of the target to further reduce oil and fluid loss, the 2021 annual environmental improvement plan
included replacing fluid-filled cables and locating cable fluid leaks more quickly resulting in a total fluid loss of
21,498 litres (2020: 24,032). In relation to the Business Plan commitment, at 31 December 2021, the Company
and its affiliate (Northern Powergrid (Northeast) plc) had achieved a 43% reduction in oil and fluid loss, well
ahead of the original 15% commitment and on target to achieve a 49% reduction by the end of the ED1 Period.
Page 12
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
Strategic Report for the Year Ended 31 December 2021 (continued)
To maintain its strict policy of environmental protection and legal compliance, the Company continues to assess
environmental risks and mitigate threats through programmes of work such as fluid-filled cable replacement,
undergrounding overhead lines in areas of outstanding natural beauty, installing flood defences, implementing
secondary containment in high-risk substations and removing equipment containing polychlorinated biphenyl
from the Network. Whilst prevention is paramount, in the event the Company’s activity does result in a leak or
spill, the services of an appointed 24-hour a day environmental response consultancy is used to minimise the
effects of any incident.
The Company takes its environmental responsibilities very seriously and has a proven track record of lowering
emissions and minimising the wider environmental impact of Network activity. Reducing the level of internal
carbon footprint is a key priority and consequently, plans have been developed to become carbon net neutral by
2040. This includes initiatives such as increasing ultra-low emission or zero emission vehicles to 40% of the
Company’s fleet of vehicles by 2028 and the adoption of science-based targets.
Science-based targets are a set of goals developed to provide a clear route to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Emissions reduction targets are considered science based if they are consistent with keeping global warming
below 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. Targets are calculated by taking the world’s carbon budget (consistent
with 1.5°C) and deriving the corresponding reduction required each year to meet that carbon budget. The
Company’s science-based targets were verified by the Science-based Targets Initiative on 23 December 2021.
In respect of the Company’s wider environmental impact, plans have been developed to achieve zero waste to
landfill by 2035 and to divert 90% of waste from all of the Company’s operations by 2028. In addition to
safeguarding the environment from its direct activity, the Company also operates a habitats programme which is
aimed at protecting natural habitats and increasing the variety and variability of species and ecosystems at 200
of the Company’s and its affiliates' major sites.
Environmental Sustainability
Strategic focus:
Enable significant growth in customers connecting low carbon technologies, support all
pathways to net zero emissions and significantly reduce our own carbon footprint
Performance during the year:
As the country takes action to make significant reductions in its carbon
emissions following the establishment of a net zero carbon emissions target by 2050, the way in which
electricity is produced and used is expected to have a substantial impact on the Network over time. The
Company laid out its intention to act as a key facilitator in the country’s net zero transition by placing
decarbonisation at the heart of its investment and actions for the ED2 period.
The volume and total capacity of decentralised energy generation and customer has continued to grow steadily
and, given the greater range of load and generation technologies now connected to the Network, the Company is
developing and actioning innovative solutions that will reduce the need for traditional and potentially expensive
reinforcement of the Network. In the past year, the Company has continued to engage with the market for
flexibility by consulting on investment solutions where there was an option for customers to support the
Network by changing their energy consumption and generation patterns, facilitating a more efficient and greener
Network. To understand how to most efficiently prepare the Network for the future needs of its customers, the
Company has continued to build on its views of potential pathways to net zero in its region through its
publication of Distribution Future Energy Scenarios in May 2021.
From an innovation perspective, the Company continues to run and develop a portfolio of projects in the priority
areas of smart meters, digital-enabled customer service and affordability. The field trial phase of the Boston Spa
Energy Efficiency Trial has commenced which has the potential to deliver a 4% reduction in domestic energy
use which in turn gives rise to a £20 saving to customers annually - vital for both decarbonisation and caring for
vulnerable customers. The success of the Silent Power vans (which now address 25% of all generator
restorations for small faults) has led to the exploration of whether larger, multi-phase, or even high voltage
capable units can be developed, while at a smaller scale it is being established if fixed domestic units can be
used at single premises to support vulnerable customers.
Page 13
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
Strategic Report for the Year Ended 31 December 2021 (continued)
As the Company transitions into the ED2 period, decarbonisation will continue to become central not only to the
Company’s strategy, but the way in which the Company contributes more broadly to the evolution of the energy
industry and the stakeholders with whom it interacts. The Company has been progressive in its ambition to
reduce its own business carbon footprint. However, more is required and it is acknowledged that the Company
has a key role to play in facilitating regional decarbonisation by fulfilling the functions of Distribution System
Operation (DSO). This means investing in people, processes and systems in order to actively manage the
Network and to optimise the use of assets and generated energy in the region.
As part of the Company’s ED2 Plan submission, a number of strategic objectives shaped the development of the
accompanying DSO strategy. This included ‘flexibility first’, involving deploying flexible solutions as an
alternative to Network reinforcement, ‘whole system collaboration’ in order to engage with the wider market on
whole system energy solutions, ‘data and digitalisation’, to facilitate solutions in areas such as open data,
‘openness and transparency’ to collaborate in joint planning with our stakeholders and, finally, fostering a
‘workplace and workforce fit for the future', to build regional and national skills.
Collectively, these objectives have been developed to achieve a number of outcomes and benefits, including to
enable open energy data sharing, transform the way decisions and plans are made throughout the Company,
support the development of new flexible energy markets, increase customer and Network flexibility and
facilitate a whole system energy system. During the remainder of the ED1 Period, the Company will continue to
build on the significant activity that has already been undertaken to decarbonise its operations and reduce the
impact that it has upon its stakeholders as it prepares for the implementation of the ED2 Plan.
REGULATORY INTEGRITY
Strategic objective:
Trustworthy, fair and balanced.
KPI:
Completion of a quarterly regulatory compliance affirmation process.
Business Plan commitment:
To manage the Company's business to the highest behavioural standards and
adhere to a policy of strict compliance with all relevant standards, legislation and regulatory conditions.
Performance during the year
: In order to assure compliance with distribution licence and other regulatory
obligations, the Company operates a regulatory compliance affirmation process, under which ownership of
approximately 2,000 regulatory obligations is assigned to 74 responsible managers. Those responsible managers
are required to review compliance with the relevant obligations on a quarterly basis and report on any identified
non-compliances or perceived risks which are then addressed by members of the senior management team. To
minimise the risk of the Company breaching its licence conditions and other statutory requirements (which
could lead to financial penalties), the board reviews the outcomes of each exercise. Each quarterly regulatory
compliance affirmation process was completed satisfactorily during the year.
The Company submitted its annual Data Assurance Report to Ofgem in February 2021, which included risk
assessments of the regulatory returns to be submitted for the Regulatory Year ahead (April 2021 to March
2022), together with a report detailing the assurance work actually carried out in the year ended 28 February
2021 and the findings of that work.
Ofgem is undertaking its review process to determine the charges that DNOs are able to levy over the next price
control period (the ED2 period), which will run from April 2023 to March 2028). This process is following the
sector-specific methodology that Ofgem published in December 2020 and March 2021. These decisions
indicated the outputs and uncertainty mechanisms that are likely to apply and also set working assumptions for
the allowed cost of capital parameters, all of which are subject to finalisation. The process is expected to
conclude with final determinations in December 2022, with draft determinations in mid-2022.
In December 2021 the Company published and submitted to Ofgem its finalised business plan for the ED2
period. The ED2 plan involves £661.3 million in annual investment, a 41% increase on the comparable measure
over the ED1 period (April 2015 to March 2023). It is now subject to regulatory evaluation by Ofgem as part of
its ongoing price review process.
Page 14
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
Strategic Report for the Year Ended 31 December 2021 (continued)
PRINCIPAL RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES
The Northern Powergrid Group operates a structured and disciplined approach to the management of risk as part
of its overall risk management policy and in support of its financial reporting practices. A system is in place to
facilitate the identification of new and emerging opportunities and risks, including those associated with the
achievement of the Northern Powergrid Group’s strategic objectives and Core Principles. This includes regular
reviews of the macro environment as well as risks that arise from within functional business areas. Once
identified, key risks and their respective controls and mitigation plans are continually assessed and formally
reviewed on a quarterly basis by the Risk Advisory Board ("RAB") in order that they are managed to an
acceptable level in accordance with the Northern Powergrid Group’s risk appetite. The RAB routinely reports its
findings to the board to ensure the directors are sufficiently appraised of the risk exposure associated with the
pursuit of the Company’s long-term strategy.
The risk management programme includes regular reviews of the crisis management, disaster recovery and
major incident plans. To determine the level of disaster preparedness and responsiveness against threats to
business continuity, risk management plans and processes are periodically tested. This self-evaluation approach
is reinforced by that of the Berkshire Hathaway Energy group, which benchmarks risk management activities
across its business units and shares significant lessons learned. The business continuity and disaster recovery
plans were fully tested as a result of the Pandemic, and whilst adaptation and flexibility was required,
operational performance remained resilient and employees continued to perform their duties safely
Principal Risks
Cyber Security
Unauthorised access or compromise of the Information Technology or Operational Technology networks,
resulting in loss of network control and availability. Unauthorised access or loss of large volumes of data or
sensitive data.
Mitigation
•
Robust cyber security risk mitigation programme is in place.
• Accreditation under the ISO 27001 Information Security standard for operational, customer, employee and
financial information.
• Compliant to the Network Information Security Directive and the Basic Cyber Assessment Frameworks.
•
Compliance with the Centre for Internet Security Critical Security Controls.
• Monitored by the Information Security Executive Committee and the board.
Regulatory and policy positioning
Decisions taken resulting in negative impacts to our business model.
Mitigation
•
The Company's policy position supporting the expanded role of DSO was published in December 2021.
•
Innovation projects in place to develop and demonstrate future technologies and commercial practices.
• The Company engages in a robust regulatory and stakeholder engagement programme, the latter of which is
scrutinised by the CEG.
• The Company is actively involved in consultations on the ED2 price controls.
Network resilience
Loss of the operational network due to significant weather events, targeted physical attack or catastrophic asset
failure resulting in sustained or widespread loss of essential supply.
Page 15
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
Strategic Report for the Year Ended 31 December 2021 (continued)
Mitigation
•
Major incident and crisis management policies, plans and governance arrangements are in place.
•
An industry mutual aid agreement exists.
•
Network investment ensures grid resilience.
• Grid resilience programme and audits.
• Vulnerable site protocols.
• Climate resilience strategy and framework.
Safety
Fatality or serious harm caused to an employee or a third party.
Mitigation
•
Overseen by the Health and Safety Committee.
• Clear policies and procedures exist that comply with legislation to ensure the safety of the employees and
customers.
•
Safety Health and Improvement Plan.
•
Health and safety training is provided to employees on a continuous basis.
• Enhanced audit programme and inspection regimes are in place.
• ISO45001 safety management system in place.
Environment and climate protection
Failure to prevent network assets from having a significant negative impact on the environment.
Mitigation
•
Incident response process and robust policies and procedures in place
• Programme to reduce fluid loss and the Company’s business carbon footprint and remove assets containing
polychlorinated biphenyl from the network.
•
Investment in technology to minimise environmental incidents and ‘self-heal’ the network.
•
Asset inspection and maintenance programme.
•
Environment improvement plan and Environment Action Plan.
•
Path to carbon neutrality by 2040.
•
Waste management and habitat protection programmes.
•
Science-based targets approved by the Science-based Targets Initiative.
•
ISO14001 environmental management system in place.
Resource availability
Access to and availability of skilled resource resulting in an inability to deliver work programmes.
Mitigation
•
Mix of direct labour and contracted resource is used.
•
Workforce renewal programmes in place to recruit and retain employees.
•
Ongoing training and development builds internal capability.
•
Employee engagement and health and well-being initiatives are in place.
•
Diversity, equality and inclusion plan.
Page 16
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
Strategic Report for the Year Ended 31 December 2021 (continued)
Efficiency and output performance
Failure to maintain cost and output performance competitiveness in the industry.
Mitigation
•
Robust business planning process.
• Financial controls in place including detailed review of actuals against budget, competitive tendering
process, and capital expenditure approvals process.
•
Monthly executive business performance review.
•
Comprehensive “Efficient Output Delivery” programme.
Financial risks
The exposure to interest rate, tax, liquidity and treasury risks.
Mitigation
•
Monitored by the treasury department.
• The Company is financed by long-term borrowings at fixed rates and has access to short-term borrowing
facilities at floating rates of interest.
• As at 31 December 2021, 100% of the Company's long-term borrowings were at fixed rates and the average
maturity for these borrowings was 15 years.
•
Financial covenant monitoring is in place.
• Regulatory revenue adjustments reduce the effect of changes to tax payments as a result of changes to tax
legislation or accounting standards.
Pandemic
Infection rate leads to high staff absence and lack of support for priority processes.
Mitigation
• Pandemic mitigation plan in place.
• Crisis management and business recovery procedures.
• Geographical distribution of facilities and staff.
• Briefings and advice provided on safety, health and well-being.
• Independent external support and resources available.
• Response aligned with UK Government advice and formulated with the oversight of BEIS.
Page 17
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
Strategic Report for the Year Ended 31 December 2021 (continued)
Internal control
A strong internal control environment exists within the Company to support the financial reporting process, the
key features of which include regular reporting, a series of operational and financial policies, investigations
undertaken by internal audit and a stringent process for ensuring the implementation of internal audit
recommendations. In addition, the Company utilises comprehensive business planning procedures, regularly
reviews KPIs to assess progress towards its goals, and has a strong internal audit function to provide
independent scrutiny. Financial controls include centralised treasury operations and established procedures for
the planning, approving and monitoring of major capital expenditure. The RAB monitors the effectiveness of
internal controls and reports on its findings to the board and Berkshire Hathaway Energy. As part of the
statutory reporting process, the Company’s external auditor reviews and tests a number of internal controls and
reports their findings and recommendations for improvements to the board.
Controls which are applicable to financial decisions are governed via a schedule of delegations of authority
which are approved by the board (and applies to the Northern Powergrid Group) for the purpose of enabling the
senior management team to make decisions up to certain financial limits, above which point the decision making
reverts to the directors. These limits reflect the board’s level of risk appetite and are reviewed on an annual
basis.
In accordance with Berkshire Hathaway Energy’s requirements to comply with the US Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the
Company undertakes a quarterly risk control assessment confirming that the effectiveness of the system of
internal controls have been reviewed during the year. A self-certification process is in place, in support of this
review, whereby certain senior managers are required to confirm that the system of internal control in their area
of the business is operating effectively. Consequently, the directors believe that a robust system of risk
assessment and management is in place.
The Northern Powergrid Group does not have a specific human rights policy. However, in accordance with the
Core Principles, it remains fully committed to operating ethically and responsibly and with fairness and
integrity. This is implemented through the policies and procedures it has in place which are applicable to all
stakeholder groups and encompasses employees’ health, safety and welfare, dealings with customers
(particularly those who are vulnerable), the impact of the Northern Powergrid Group on the environment and the
contribution to sustainability.
To ensure that the Northern Powergrid Group maintains the highest level of ethical standards in the conduct of
its business, Berkshire Hathaway Energy's Code of Conduct has been adopted, further details of which can be
found on page 13. The Northern Powergrid Group has robust procedures in place to meet the requirements of
the Bribery Act 2010. Every employee must undertake training in respect of the Northern Powergrid Group’s
anti-corruption and anti-bribery policy each year.
Page 18
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
Strategic Report for the Year Ended 31 December 2021 (continued)
Section 172(1) statement
The information pursuant to Section 414CZA of the Companies Act 2006 has been reported throughout the
Strategic Report, Principal Risks and Uncertainties and Directors Report. Consequently, the detail which
describes how the directors have had regard to the matters set out in Section 172(1) (a) to (f) when performing
their duty under Section 172 can be found on the pages referenced below:
(a) the likely consequences of any decision in the long term; (Page 2)
(b) the interests of the Company's employees; (Pages 9, 10 and 11)
(c) the need to foster the Company's business relationships with suppliers, customers and others; (Pages 4, 5, 22
and 23)
(d) the impact of the Company's operations on the community and the environment; (Pages 4, 5, 6, 8 and 9)
(e) the desirability of the Company maintaining a reputation for high standards of business conduct; and (Page
11 and 22)
(f) the need to act fairly as between members of the Company.
The Company has one class of ordinary shares which are all held by Yorkshire Electricity Group plc, a company
owned by the Northern Powergrid Group.
In addition to the existing oversight of operational activity and strategic decision making, during the year the
board approved the ED2 Plan ahead of its submission to Ofgem on 1 December 2021. The board actively
participated in the development of the ED2 Plan, with individual directors responsible for chairing specialist
engagement and oversight panels and taking ownership of strategic sections. The ED2 Plan sets out the
Company’s (and its affiliate’s) strategy for the period 2023 to 2028 and includes a number of supporting
documents including the Innovation strategy, Environmental Action Plan, Climate Resilience Strategy, Data and
Digitalisation Strategy, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Plan and DSO Strategy, all of which were endorsed by
the board.
Non-financial information statement
The non-financial reporting information pursuant to Section 414CA of the Companies Act 2006 has been
reported throughout the Strategic Report and principal risks and uncertainties. Detail in respect of the relevant
policies, risks and associated mitigations and non-financial KPIs can be found on the pages referenced below:
• Business model: page 2;
• Environmental: page 8;
• Employees: pages 9 - 11;
• Social Matters: pages 4 - 5;
• Respect for Human rights: page 18; and
• Anti-Corruption and Anti-bribery matters: pages 11 and 18
Approved by the Board on 4 May 2022 and signed on its behalf by:
A P Jones
Director
Page 19
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
Directors' Report for the Year Ended 31 December 2021
The directors present their report together with the auditor's report and the financial statements financial
statements for the year ended 31 December 2021.
Dividends
During the year, an interim dividend of £34.4 million was paid (2020: £33.6 million). The directors recommend
that no final dividend be paid in respect of the year (2020: £nil).
The Company's dividend policy is that dividends will be paid only after having due regard to available
distributable reserves, available liquid funds and the financial resources and facilities needed to enable the
Company to carry on its business for at least the next year. In addition, the level of dividends is set to maintain
sufficient equity in the Company so as not to jeopardise its investment grade issuer credit rating. These strict
parameters align with the conditions set out in the distribution licence and are considered carefully by the board
so as to ensure that the payment of any dividend does not cause the Company to breach any licence obligations
in the future.
Directors of the Company
The directors, who held office during the year and up to the date of signing, were as follows:
T H France
A J Maclennan
A R Marshall
A P Jones (appointed 14 April 2022)
P A Jones
P C Taylor
T E Fielden (resigned 15 February 2021)
During the year, none of the directors had an interest in any contract which was material to the business of the
Company.
During the year and up to the date of approval of the Report of the Directors, an indemnity contained in the
Company's Articles of Association was in force for the benefit of the directors of the Company and as directors
of associated companies, which was a qualifying indemnity provision for the purposes of the Companies Act
2006.
Future developments
The financial position of the Company, as at 31 December 2021, is shown in the statement of financial position
on page 36. There have been no significant events since the year end. The directors intend that the Company
will continue to implement the Business Plan during the remainder of the ED1 period and by delivering the
strategic objectives linked to the Core Principles, the Company will continue to develop its business by
efficiently investing in the Network and improving the quality of supply and service provided to customers.
There are no plans to change the existing business model.
Research and development
The Company supports a programme of research that is expected to contribute to higher standards of
performance and a more cost-effective operation of its business. During the year, the Company invested £1.4
million (2020: £2.2 million) (Note 5 to the financial statements) in its research and development activities.
Page 20
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
Directors' Report for the Year Ended 31 December 2021 (continued)
Financial instruments
Details of financial risks are included in the Principal Risks and Uncertainties on pages 15 - 17 of the Strategic
Report and Note 29 to the financial statements on page 69.
As at 31 December 2021 and during the Year it was the Company's policy not to hold any derivative financial
instruments.
Employment of disabled persons
The Company’s policy is to provide all protected groups, including disabled people, with equality at work in
respect of employment, training, career development and promotion, having regard to their aptitudes and
abilities. Should any member of staff become disabled during their employment, the Company will make
reasonable adjustments, wherever possible.
Engagement with employees
A constitutional framework agreed with trade union representatives exists in respect of employee consultation.
The board and senior management team keep employees and trade union representatives informed of and
involved as appropriate in developments that may impact them now or in the future. This approach has been
chosen as the most effective way of interacting with employees due to the combination of collectively bargained
and personal contract holders. In support of this process, the Director of People and Customer Service (and
nominated representatives on an interim basis) routinely reports to the board and the Health and Safety
Committee to ensure that the views of employees are considered and to facilitate the discussion of and any
subsequent decision making in respect of employee related concerns or issues.
Employee engagement continues to show improvement with local action plans augmented by routine
communication channels including regular colleague briefings, meaningful conversations between colleagues
and their line manager, council meetings with trade union representatives, and utilising the Northern Powergrid
Group's intranet.
During the year, the President and Chief Executive Officer and members of the board and senior management
team of the Northern Powergrid Group continued to provide colleagues with updates on the Northern Powergrid
Group's response to the Pandemic and financial, organisational, safety and customer service performance
through weekly recorded electronic briefings. In addition, group wide text messages were used to quickly
disseminate key information concerning the Pandemic or the invoking of major incident responses. Where
appropriate, the executive directors and the senior management team engaged with employees during
operational and office-based site visits, and induction and graduation events ensuring safety measures were
maintained throughout.
In accordance with Section 414C of the Companies Act 2006 further disclosures details concerning the
Company’s relationship with employees (including the principal decisions taken during the year) and
information concerning greenhouse gas emissions can be found in the Strategic Report (Employee Commitment
and Environmental Respect).
Business Relationships
As referenced throughout the Strategic Report, the Company’s business model is to provide and maintain a
reliable, safe and cost-effective Network. To achieve this objective, the Company delivers its service to fulfil the
needs of the stakeholders with whom it interacts, a concept which underpinned the formulation of the Business
Plan and will be repeated as the ED2 Plan commences. Consequently, fostering business relationships is a
prerequisite of the activity performed by the Company in the pursuit of its goals.
The Company’s policy in respect of engaging with stakeholders is governed by the Core Principles and the Code
of Conduct. The Core Principle of ‘Regulatory Integrity’ defines the Northern Powergrid Group’s commitment
to comply with all laws wherever it does business and the expectation that all employees (including directors)
manage their activities in a manner that is compliant with all standards, regulations and corporate policies. In
addition, the Code of Conduct requires adherence to the highest level of ethical conduct and fair dealings with
all customers, suppliers and competitors.
Page 21
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
Directors' Report for the Year Ended 31 December 2021 (continued)
Relations with suppliers is managed using a supplier registration system which supports a robust and transparent
procurement process and ensures strict compliance with the prevention of slavery and human trafficking. As a
consequence, the system allows the Company to make informed decisions which align with its values when
awarding contracts. When considering suppliers, the board advocates prompt payment practices which are
reviewed regularly by the internal audit function and the implementation of procedures to reduce the risk of
modern slavery in supply chains - as set out in the Company’s annual Modern Slavery Act statement which is
reviewed and approved by the board each year.
Customers, whether they are domestic or commercial, are the primary stakeholder group served by the Company
and therefore the services offered are all tailored to provide a benefit or enhance an experience. Further detail of
the Company’s relationship with customers, the support programmes provided and the decisions made during
the year is discussed in the Strategic Report (Employee Commitment). The independent scrutiny and challenge
provided by the CEG during the year has helped determine those areas most important to customers and what
they expect to be achieved during the ED2 period.
As outlined in the Regulatory Integrity section of the Strategic Report, engagement with Ofgem was prevalent
during the year and included participation in various consultations concerning the ED2 period. Given the
implications on the Company’s long-term strategy, the relationship with Ofgem, the evolving ED2 framework,
the transition to DSO as well as the effects of the Pandemic were regular items on the board agenda throughout
the year.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE STATEMENT
The directors have elected to apply the exception set out in Section 1B.1.6R of the Disclosure and Transparency
Rules ("DTR").
Audit Committee
The board of Northern Powergrid Holdings Company has established an audit committee for the Northern
Powergrid Group under delegated terms of reference which carries out the functions required by DTR 7.1.3 R.
Committee members:
• J Reynolds - Non-executive Director (Chair)
• T E Fielden, Finance Director (resigned 15 February 2021)
• AP Jones, Finance Director (appointed 20 April 2022)
• M Knowles - Independent member
• S J Lockwood - Director of Finance (Interim) (appointed 11 February 2021, resigned 14 April 2022)
STATEMENT OF DIRECTORS' RESPONSIBILITIES
The directors are responsible for preparing the annual report and the financial statements in accordance with
applicable law and regulations. Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each
financial year. Under that law the directors are required to prepare the financial statements in accordance with
international accounting standards in conformity with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and
International Financial Reporting Standards adopted pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1606/2002 as it applies in
the European Union. The financial statements also comply with International Financial Reporting Standards
(IFRSs) as issued by the IASB. Under company law the directors must not approve the financial statements
unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Company and of the
profit or loss of the Company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, International Accounting
Standard 1 requires that directors:
• properly select and apply accounting policies;
• present information, including accounting policies, in a manner that provides relevant, reliable, comparable
and understandable information;
• provide additional disclosures when compliance with the specific requirements in IFRSs are insufficient to
enable users to understand the impact of particular transactions, other events and conditions on the entity's
financial position and financial performance; and
• make an assessment of the Company's ability to continue as a going concern.
Page 22
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
Directors' Report for the Year Ended 31 December 2021 (continued)
The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the
Company's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Company
and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also
responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention
and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information
included on the Company’s website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and
dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.
Directors' responsibility statement pursuant to DTR 4
Each of the directors as at the date of the annual reports and financial statements, whose names and functions
are set out on page 1 in the Directors Report confirms that, to the best of their knowledge:
• The financial statements, prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as
adopted by the European Union, give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and
profit or loss of the Company and the undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a whole;
• The strategic report includes a fair review of the development and performance of the business and the
position of the Company and the undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a whole, together with a
description of the principal risks and uncertainties that they face; and
• The annual report and financial statements, taken as a whole, are fair, balanced and understandable and
provide the information necessary for shareholders to assess the Company’s position and performance,
business model and strategy.
Going Concern
A review of the Company's business activities during the year, together with details regarding its future
development, performance and position, its objectives, policies and processes for managing its capital, its
financial risk management objectives and details of its exposures to trading risk, credit risk and liquidity risk are
set out in the Strategic Report, the Directors' Report and the appropriate notes to the financial statements.
The Northern Powergrid Group is financed both in its operating companies and in other entities within the
Northern Powergrid Group, and companies may lend within the Northern Powergrid Group. For that reason,
financial health is considered with reference to the Northern Powergrid Group. Those entities with net current
liabilities position obtaining a letter of support from Northern Powergrid Holdings Company.
When considering continuing to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the annual reports and financial
statements, the directors have taken into account a number of factors, including the following:
• The Company's revenue derives principally from regulated electricity distribution and this was not
materiality affected by the Pandemic. The regulatory regime allows for the recovery of allowed costs in full
over the long term;
• The Company is a stable electricity distribution business operating an essential public service and is
regulated by GEMA. In carrying out its functions, GEMA has a statutory duty under the Electricity Act 1989
to have regard to the need to secure that licence holders are able to finance the activities, which are the
subject of obligations under Part 1 of the Electricity Act 1989 (including the obligations imposed by the
electricity distribution licence) or by the Utilities Act 2000;
•
The Company is profitable with strong underlying cash flows and holds investment grade credit ratings;
• The Company is financed by long-term borrowings with an average maturity of 15 years and has access to
borrowing facilities provided by Barclays Bank plc, Lloyds Bank plc, HSBC UK Bank plc and Royal Bank
of Canada
• The Northern Powergrid Group benefits from strong investment-grade credit ratings which allow access to a
range of financing options. Recent successful bond issues by the Northern Powergrid Group and by other
issuers in the weeks immediately prior to the date of these accounts suggest that the Northern Powergrid
Group’s bonds remain attractive to investors;
Page 23
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
Directors' Report for the Year Ended 31 December 2021 (continued)
• The Northern Powergrid Group has prepared forecasts which taking into account reasonable possible
changes in trading performance, show that the Northern Powergrid Group has sufficient resources to settle
its liabilities as they fall due for at least the 12 months from the date of these accounts. The directors have
had discussions with the bank who have indicated that they would continue to provide the short-term
facilities to the Northern Powergrid Group for the foreseeable future on acceptable terms; and
• Consideration was also given to the obligations contained in the Company's and Northern Powergrid
(Northeast) plc's distribution licences to provide Ofgem with annual certificates, confirming that the
directors have a reasonable expectation that the Company and Northern Powergrid (Northeast) plc will have
sufficient financial and operational resources available for the continuation of business for a period of at
least 12 months. The board determined any material variations to the assumptions used when providing those
certificates were unlikely within the eight-year period or beyond.
Consequently, after making enquiries, the directors have a reasonable expectation that the Company has
adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. In addition, a letter of support
was received from Northern Powergrid Holdings Company. Accordingly, they continue to adopt the going
concern basis in preparing the annual report and financial statements.
Disclosure of information to the auditor
Each director has taken steps that they ought to have taken as a director in order to make themselves aware of
any relevant audit information and to establish that the company's auditor is aware of that information. The
directors confirm that there is no relevant information that they know of and of which they know the auditor is
unaware.
Reappointment of auditor
Deloitte LLP will continue in office in accordance with the provisions in Section 487 of the Companies Act
2006 and has indicated its willingness to do so.
Approved by the Board on 4 May 2022 and signed on its behalf by:
A P Jones
Director
Page 24
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
Report on the audit of the financial statements
Opinion
In our opinion the financial statements of Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc (the ‘company’):
• give a true and fair view of the state of the company’s affairs as at 31 December 2021 and of its profit for the
year then ended;
• have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom adopted international accounting standards
and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as issued by the International Accounting Standards
Board (IASB); and
• have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.
We have audited the financial statements which comprise:
• the statement of profit or loss;
• the statement of comprehensive income;
• the statement of financial position;
• the statement of changes in equity;
• the statement of cash flows; and
• the related Notes 1 to 31.
The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United
Kingdom adopted international accounting standards and IFRSs as issued by the IASB.
Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and
applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the auditor’s responsibilities
for the audit of the financial statements section of our report.
We are independent of the company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of
the financial statements in the UK, including the Financial Reporting Council’s (the ‘FRC’s’) Ethical Standard
as applied to listed public interest entities, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance
with these requirements. The non-audit services provided to the company for the year are disclosed in note 9 to
the financial statements. We confirm that we have not provided any non-audit services prohibited by the FRC’s
Ethical Standard to the company.
We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our
opinion.
Page 25
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
(continued)
Summary of our audit approach
-Key audit matters
The key audit matter that we identified in the current year was:
• Accounting for capital spend - overhead model.
Within this report, key audit matters are identified as follows:
• Newly identified
• Increased level of risk
• Similar level of risk
• Decreased level of risk
-Materiality
The materiality we used in the current year was £8.8m which was determined on the basis of 5% of profit before
tax.
-Scoping
Audit work to respond to the risks of material misstatement was performed directly by the audit engagement
team.
-Significant changes in our approach
There was no significant change in our approach except for adopting a controls reliance approach for the testing
of revenue for the first time in the current year.
Conclusions relating to going concern
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the directors’ use of the going concern basis of
accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.
Our evaluation of the directors’ assessment of the company’s ability to continue to adopt the going concern
basis of accounting included:
• assessing financing facilities including nature of facilities, repayment terms and covenants;
• evaluating the linkage to business model and medium-term risks;
• assessing assumptions used in the forecasts, including forecasted information relating to next price control
review RIIO-ED2;
• calculating the amount of headroom in the forecasts, specifically relating to cash and covenants on borrowings;
• performing sensitivity analysis; and
• evaluating sophistication of the model used to prepare the forecasts, testing of clerical accuracy of those
forecasts and our assessment of the historical accuracy of forecasts prepared by management.
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or
conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the company’s ability to continue as a
going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the directors with respect to going concern are described in the
relevant sections of this report.
Page 26
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
(continued)
Key audit matters
Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgement, were of most significance in our audit of
the financial statements of the current period and include the most significant assessed risks of material
misstatement (whether or not due to fraud) that we identified. These matters included those which had the
greatest effect on: the overall audit strategy, the allocation of resources in the audit; and directing the efforts of
the engagement team.
These matters were addressed in the context of our audit of the financial statements as a whole, and in forming
our opinion thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters.
-Accounting for capital spend - overhead model
-Key audit matter description
Total additions to property, plant and equipment in the year in the company were £270m (2020: £252m) with
the majority of the additions to the company’s electricity distribution system, as disclosed in Note 11 to the
financial statements. These additions include capitalised overheads of £48m (2020: £46m). A portion of
overheads are capitalised to the extent that it is probable that future economic benefits associated with the asset
will flow to the company and the cost of the item can be measured reliably in accordance with IAS 16 and the
company’s policies. Management uses a model to allocate overheads to capital resulting from analysis of the
costs incurred and their relevant cost drivers. The allocation model is reviewed annually.
The calculation of capitalised overheads remains an area at risk of potential bias due to the level of subjectivity
in the percentage of overheads capitalised, which also creates a potential fraud risk. In particular, the key risk
that management’s judgement in the percentage amounts capitalised are not reflective of the capital spend, as
disclosed in Note 2 “Critical judgements in applying accounting policies.”
-How the scope of our audit responded to the key audit matter
• We have obtained an understanding of relevant controls surrounding accounting for capital spend;
• We have analysed the capital spend and the overhead allocation percentages in the year and compared these to
prior years to identify any unusual fluctuations. We have also analysed current management policies in place
and assessed their suitability in line with IAS 16, along with reviewing the approach management takes towards
assessing capitalised overheads and any change introduced in the current year;
• We have analysed the total overheads included within the allocation model which are subsequently capitalised
based on management’s assessment of percentage allocation.
-Key observations
Based on the work performed, and the evidence obtained, we have concluded that management’s overhead
capitalisation judgement is reasonable, with policies applied being appropriate and consistent with the
requirements of IAS 16.
Page 27
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
(continued)
Our application of materiality
-
Materiality
We define materiality as the magnitude of misstatement in the financial statements that makes it probable that
the economic decisions of a reasonably knowledgeable person would be changed or influenced. We use
materiality both in planning the scope of our audit work and in evaluating the results of our work.
Based on our professional judgement, we determined materiality for the financial statements as a whole as
follows:
-Materiality
£8.8m (2020: £7.5m)
-Basis for determining materiality
5% (2020: 5%) of pre-tax profit earned during the year.
-Rationale for the benchmark applied
As a trading entity, profit is a key driver of the value of the company.
-Performance materiality
We set performance materiality at a level lower than materiality to reduce the probability that, in aggregate,
uncorrected and undetected misstatements exceed the materiality for the financial statements as a whole.
Performance materiality was set at 60% of materiality for the 2021 audit (2020: 70%). In determining
performance materiality, we have considered the following:
• our risk assessment, including our assessment of the company’s overall control environment and we
considered it appropriate to rely on controls on the revenue cycle; and
• the volume of uncorrected misstatements in the prior period and control deficiencies identified.
-Error reporting threshold
We agreed with the Board of Directors that we would report to the Board all audit differences in excess of
£0.4m (2020: £0.4m), as well as differences below that threshold that, in our view, warranted reporting on
qualitative grounds. We also report to the Board of Directors on disclosure matters that we identified when
assessing the overall presentation of the financial statements.
Page 28
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
(continued)
An overview of the scope of our audit
-Scoping
The company operates as a regulated distribution network operator (DNO) in the areas of West Yorkshire, East
Yorkshire, and parts of South Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire and
Lancashire in the UK. Our audit was scoped by obtaining an understanding of the company and its environment,
as well as assessing the risk of material misstatement, taking into account the nature, likelihood and potential
magnitude of any misstatements. Following this assessment and our determination of materiality, we applied
professional judgement to determine the extent of testing required over each balance in the financial statements.
Audit work to respond to the risks of material misstatement was performed directly by audit engagement team.
There have been no material changes in scope from prior year.
-Our consideration of the control environment
We have performed testing of controls of all material business cycles through a combination of tests of inquiry,
inspection, observation, and re-performance.
We have involved our IT specialists to assess relevant controls over the Company’s IT landscape which contains
a number of IT systems and tools used to support business processes. These include controls within the Oracle
and Durabill systems integral to relevant business cycles. We identified control deficiencies over this system. In
response to these deficiencies, the Company mitigated these deficiencies and we performed additional
procedures. As a result of these mitigating procedures, we relied on controls over the revenue business cycle in
the current year.
Other information
The other information comprises the information included in the annual report other than the financial
statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The directors are responsible for the other information contained
within the annual report.
Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise
explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.
Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is
materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit, or
otherwise appears to be materially misstated.
If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine
whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work
we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required
to report that fact.
We have nothing to report in this regard.
Page 29
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
(continued)
Responsibilities of directors
As explained more fully in the directors’ responsibilities statement, the directors are responsible for the
preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such
internal control as the directors determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are
free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
In preparing the financial statements, the directors are responsible for assessing the company’s ability to
continue as a going concern, disclosing as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going
concern basis of accounting unless the directors either intend to liquidate the company or to cease operations, or
have no realistic alternative but to do so.
Auditor's responsibilites for the audit of financial statements
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free
from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our
opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in
accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise
from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be
expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.
A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the FRC’s
website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.
Extent to which the audit was considered capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures
in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities,
including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is
detailed below.
-Identifying and assessing potential risks related to irregularities
In identifying and assessing risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and
non-compliance with laws and regulations, we considered the following:
• the nature of the industry and sector, control environment and business performance including the design of
the company’s remuneration policies, key drivers for directors’ remuneration, bonus levels and performance
targets;
• results of our enquiries of management and the Board of Directors about their own identification and
assessment of the risks of irregularities;
• any matters we identified having obtained and reviewed the company’s documentation of their policies and
procedures relating to:
o identifying, evaluating and complying with laws and regulations and whether they were aware of any
instances of non-compliance;
o detecting and responding to the risks of fraud and whether they have knowledge of any actual, suspected or
alleged fraud;
o the internal controls established to mitigate risks of fraud or non-compliance with laws and regulations;
• the matters discussed among the audit engagement and relevant internal specialists, including tax, valuations,
pensions and IT specialists regarding how and where fraud might occur in the financial statements and any
potential indicators of fraud.
Page 30
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
(continued)
As a result of these procedures, we considered the opportunities and incentives that may exist within the
organisation for fraud and identified the greatest potential for fraud in the following area: accounting for capital
spend-overhead model. In common with all audits under ISAs (UK), we are also required to perform specific
procedures to respond to the risk of management override.
We also obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory framework that the company operates in,
focusing on provisions of those laws and regulations that had a direct effect on the determination of material
amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. The key laws and regulations we considered in this context
included UK Companies Act, Listing Rules, pensions legislation and tax legislation.
In addition, we considered provisions of other laws and regulations that do not have a direct effect on the
financial statements but compliance with which may be fundamental to the company’s ability to operate or to
avoid a material penalty. These included the company’s operating licence regulated by the Gas and Electricity
Markets Authority (GEMA).
-Audit response to risks identified
As a result of performing the above, we identified accounting for capital spend - overhead model as a key audit
matter related to the potential risk of fraud. The key audit matters section of our report explains the matter in
more detail and also describes the specific procedures we performed in response to that key audit matter.
In addition to the above, our procedures to respond to risks identified included the following:
• reviewing the financial statement disclosures and testing to supporting documentation to assess compliance
with provisions of relevant laws and regulations described as having a direct effect on the financial statements;
• enquiring of management, the Board of Directors and legal counsel concerning actual and potential litigation
and claims;
• performing analytical procedures to identify any unusual or unexpected relationships that may indicate risks of
material misstatement due to fraud;
• reading minutes of meetings of those charged with governance, reviewing internal audit reports and reviewing
correspondence with HMRC and Ofgem; and
• in addressing the risk of fraud through management override of controls, testing the appropriateness of journal
entries and other adjustments; assessing whether the judgements made in making accounting estimates are
indicative of a potential bias; and evaluating the business rationale of any significant transactions that are
unusual or outside the normal course of business.
We also communicated relevant identified laws and regulations and potential fraud risks to all engagement team
members including internal specialists and remained alert to any indications of fraud or non-compliance with
laws and regulations throughout the audit.
Report on other legal and regulatory requirements
Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:
• the information given in the strategic report and the directors’ report for the financial year for which the
financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and
• the strategic report and the directors’ report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal
requirements.
In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the company and its environment obtained in the course of
the audit, we have not identified any material misstatements in the strategic report or the directors’ report.
Page 31
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
(continued)
Matters on which we are required to report by exception
-Adequacy of explanations received and accounting records
Under the Companies Act 2006 we are required to report to you if, in our opinion:
• we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit; or
• adequate accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from
branches not visited by us; or
• the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns.
We have nothing to report in respect of these matters.
-Directors’ remuneration
Under the Companies Act 2006 we are also required to report if in our opinion certain disclosures of directors’
remuneration have not been made.
We have nothing to report in respect of this matter.
Page 32
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
(continued)
Other matters which we are required to address
-Auditor tenure
Following the recommendation of the Board of Directors, we were appointed by the Board of Northern
Powergrid Holdings Company in 1998 to audit the financial statements for the year ending 31 December 1998
and subsequent financial periods. The period of total uninterrupted engagement including previous renewals and
reappointments of the firm is 24 years, covering the years ending 31 December 1998 to 31 December 2021.
-Consistency of the audit report with the additional report to the Board
Our audit opinion is consistent with the additional report to the Board of Directors we are required to provide in
accordance with ISAs (UK).
Use of our report
This report is made solely to the company’s members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the
Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the company’s members
those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest
extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the company and the
company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
......................................
Anthony Matthews FCA (Senior statutory auditor)
For and on behalf of Deloitte LLP, Statutory Auditor
London
United Kingdom
4 May 2022
Page 33
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
Statement of Profit or Loss for the Year Ended 31 December 2021
Note
2021
£ 000
2020
£ 000
Revenue
3 467,420 437,257
Cost of sales (17,661) (19,715)
Gross profit
449,759 417,542
Distribution costs
(170,531) (162,948)
Administrative expenses
(67,025) (68,540)
Operating profit
5 212,203 186,054
Other gains
4 232 117
Finance costs
6 (37,322) (38,763)
Finance income
6
267 658
Profit before tax
175,380 148,066
Income tax expense
10
(74,552) (42,794)
Profit for the year
100,828 105,272
The notes on pages 40 to 81 form an integral part of these financial statements.
Page 34
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
Statement of Comprehensive Income for the Year Ended 31 December 2021
2021
£ 000
2020
£ 000
Profit for the year 100,828 105,272
Total comprehensive income for the year
100,828 105,272
The notes on pages 40 to 81 form an integral part of these financial statements.
Page 35
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
(Registration number: 04112320)
Statement of Financial Position as at 31 December 2021
Note
31 December
2021
£ 000
31 December
2020
£ 000
Assets
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment
11 3,731,005 3,581,134
Right of use assets
12 8,582 8,209
Intangible assets
13
44 85
3,739,631 3,589,428
Current assets
Inventories
15 488 640
Trade and other receivables
16 73,519 68,509
Income tax asset
1,205 1,501
Cash and cash equivalents
17
114,001 134,243
189,213 204,893
Total assets
3,928,844 3,794,321
Equity and liabilities
Equity
Share capital
18 (290,000) (290,000)
Retained earnings (1,337,924) (1,271,496)
Total equity (1,627,924) (1,561,496)
Non-current liabilities
Long-term lease liabilities
(6,422) (6,230)
Loans and borrowings
20 (968,698) (1,119,024)
Provisions
22 (555) (555)
Deferred revenue
24 (837,447) (825,756)
Deferred tax liabilities
10
(178,145) (138,320)
(1,991,267) (2,089,885)
Current liabilities
Current portion of long-term lease liabilities
(2,392) (2,157)
Trade and other payables
23 (101,667) (88,538)
Loans and borrowings
20 (168,206) (17,210)
Deferred revenue
24 (35,859) (34,099)
Provisions
22
(1,529) (936)
(309,653) (142,940)
Total liabilities (2,300,920) (2,232,825)
Total equity and liabilities
(3,928,844) (3,794,321)
The notes on pages 40 to 81 form an integral part of these financial statements.
Page 36
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
(Registration number: 04112320)
Statement of Financial Position as at 31 December 2021 (continued)
Approved by the Board of Directors on 4 May 2022 and signed on its behalf by:
A P Jones
Director
The notes on pages 40 to 81 form an integral part of these financial statements.
Page 37
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
Statement of Changes in Equity for the Year Ended 31 December 2021
Note
Share capital
£ 000
Retained
earnings
£ 000
Total
£ 000
At 1 January 2021
290,000 1,271,496 1,561,496
Profit for the year - 100,828 100,828
Total comprehensive income
- 100,828 100,828
Dividends
25
- (34,400) (34,400)
At 31 December 2021
290,000 1,337,924 1,627,924
Share capital
£ 000
Retained
earnings
£ 000
Total
£ 000
At 1 January 2020
290,000 1,199,824 1,489,824
Profit for the year - 105,272 105,272
Total comprehensive income
- 105,272 105,272
Dividends
25
- (33,600) (33,600)
At 31 December 2020
290,000 1,271,496 1,561,496
The notes on pages 40 to 81 form an integral part of these financial statements.
Page 38
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
Statement of Cash Flows for the Year Ended 31 December 2021
Note
2021
£ 000
2020
£ 000
Cash flows from operating activities
Profit for the year
100,828 105,272
Adjustments to cash flows from non-cash items
Depreciation and amortisation
5 121,721 115,228
Depreciation on right of use assets
2,540 2,259
Amortisation of deferred revenue
(34,055) (33,018)
Profit on disposal of property plant and equipment
4 (232) (117)
Finance income
6 (267) (658)
Finance costs
6 37,322 38,763
Income tax expense
10
74,552 42,794
302,409 270,523
Decrease/(increase) in inventories
15 152 (147)
(Increase)/decrease in trade and other receivables
16 (4,679) 607
Increase in trade and other payables
23 5,623 3,242
Increase/(decrease) in provisions
22
593 (237)
Cash generated from operations
304,098 273,988
Income taxes paid
10
(34,431) (50,848)
Net cash flow from operating activities 269,667 223,140
Cash flows used in investing activities
Acquisitions of property plant and equipment
(270,570) (246,571)
Proceeds from sale of property plant and equipment
232 117
Acquisition of intangible assets
13 (10) (9)
Receipt of customer contributions
56,194 36,344
Interest received 267 658
Net cash flows used in investing activities (213,887) (209,461)
Cash flows used in financing activities
Interest expense on leases
(254) (265)
Interest paid
(38,881) (57,134)
Repayment of other borrowing
- (200,000)
Payments to finance lease creditors
(2,487) (2,175)
Dividends paid
25
(34,400) (33,600)
Net cash flows used in financing activities (76,022) (293,174)
Net movement in cash and cash equivalents
(20,242) (279,495)
Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January
17
134,243 413,738
Cash and cash equivalents at 31 December
17
114,001 134,243
The notes on pages 40 to 81 form an integral part of these financial statements.
Page 39
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2021
1 General information
The company is a public company limited by share capital, incorporated under the Companies Act and
domiciled in England and Wales.
The address of its registered office is Lloyds Court, 78 Grey Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 6AF.
2 Accounting policies
Statement of compliance
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standards in
conformity with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and International Financial Reporting Standards
as issued by the IASB.
Summary of significant accounting policies and key accounting estimates
The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below.
These policies have been consistently applied to all the years presented, unless otherwise stated.
Basis of preparation
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with adopted IFRSs and under historical cost
accounting rules.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires the use of certain critical accounting
estimates. It also requires management to exercise its judgement in the process of applying the Company's
accounting policies.
The nature of the Company's business model, strategic objectives, operations and activities are set out in the
Strategic Report.
The Company is exempt from preparing group financial statements as it is a wholly owned subsidiary of a
parent undertaking preparing group financial statements. Further details of the registered address and parent
company are available in Note 30. Further details on the Company's accounting policies in relation to
investments are available on page 69.
Going Concern
A review of the Company's business activities during the year, together with details regarding its future
development, performance and position, its objectives, policies and processes for managing its capital, its
financial risk management objectives and details of its exposures to trading risk, credit risk and liquidity risk are
set out in the Strategic Report, the Report of the Directors and the appropriate notes to the financial statements.
The Northern Powergrid Group is financed both in its operating companies and in other entities within the
Northern Powergrid Group, and companies may lend within the Northern Powergrid Group. For that reason,
financial health is considered with reference to the Northern Powergrid Group. Those entities with net current
liabilities position obtaining a letter of support from Northern Powergrid Holdings Company.
When considering continuing to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the annual reports and financial
statements, the directors have taken into account a number of factors, including the following:
• The Company's revenue derives principally from regulated electricity distribution and this was not materially
affected by the Pandemic. The regulatory regime allows for the recovery of allowed costs in full over the
long term;
Page 40
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2021 (continued)
2 Accounting policies (continued)
• The Northern Powergrid Group's main subsidiaries, the Company and Northern Powergrid (Northeast) plc,
are stable electricity distribution businesses operating an essential public service and are regulated by
GEMA. In carrying out its functions, GEMA has a statutory duty under the Electricity Act 1989 to have
regard to the need to secure that distribution licence holders are able to finance the activities, which are the
subject of obligations under Part 1 of the Electricity Act 1989 (including the obligations imposed by the
electricity distribution licence) or by the Utilities Act 2000;
• The Northern Powergrid Group is profitable with strong underlying cash flows and holds investment grade
credit ratings.
• The Company is financed by long-term borrowings with an average maturity of 15 years and has access to
borrowing facilities provided by Barclays Bank plc, Lloyds Bank plc, HSBC UK Bank plc and Royal Bank
of Canada.
• The Northern Powergrid Group benefits from strong investment-grade credit ratings which allow access to a
range of financing options. Recent successful bond issues by the Northern Powergrid Group and by other
issuers in the weeks immediately prior to the date of these accounts suggest that the Northern Powergrid
Group’s bonds remain attractive to investors;
• The Northern Powergrid Group has prepared forecasts which taking into account reasonable possible
changes in trading performance, show that the Northern Powergrid Group has sufficient resources to settle
its liabilities as they fall due for at least the 12 months from the date of these accounts. The directors have
had discussions with the bank who have indicated that they would continue to provide the short-term
facilities to the Northern Powergrid Group for the foreseeable future on acceptable terms; and
• Consideration was also given to the obligations contained in the Company's and Northern Powergrid
(Northeast) plc's distribution licences to provide Ofgem with annual certificates, confirming that the
directors have a reasonable expectation that the Company and Northern Powergrid (Northeast) plc will have
sufficient financial and operational resources available for the continuation of business for a period of at
least 12 months. The board determined any material variations to the assumptions used when providing those
certificates were unlikely within the eight-year period or beyond.
Consequently, after making enquiries, the directors have a reasonable expectation that the Company has
adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. In addition, a letter of support
was received from Northern Powergrid Holdings Company. Accordingly, they continue to adopt the going
concern basis in preparing the annual report and financial statements.
Critical judgements in applying accounting policies
The following are the critical judgements, apart from those involving estimations, that the directors have made
in the process of applying the Group's accounting policies and that have the most significant effect on amounts
recognised in the consolidated financial statements:
Key sources of estimation uncertainty
In the preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRS the Directors did not identify any key
assumptions concerning the future and other key sources of estimation uncertainty at the end of the reporting
period that may have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and
liabilities within the next financial year.
Page 41
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2021 (continued)
2 Accounting policies (continued)
Split of operating and capital expenditure and the allocation of overheads to property, plant and equipment
The allocation of overheads to property, plant and equipment which results in higher capital expenditure and a
reduction in operating costs. Costs are capitalised where is it probable that future economic benefits associated
with the asset will flow to the enterprise; and the cost of the item can be reliably measured.
The allocation of overheads to capital is derived from a detailed analysis of the costs and their relevant cost
drivers, which is reviewed on an annual basis. There has been no change in the methodology since the prior
year.
The amounts of overheads capitalised in the year was £48.4 million (2020: £46.1 million). The capitalisation
rate was 71.3% (2020: 70.7%).
Changes in accounting policy
New standards, interpretations and amendments effective
Effective for periods beginning on or after 1 January 2021
• Amendment to IFRS 16 - COVID-19 related rent concessions.
• Amendments to IFRS 9, IAS 39, IFRS 7, IFRS 4 and IFRS 16 - Interest rate benchmark reform.
These amendments did not have a material impact on the financial statements.
The other amendments have had no material impact on the financial statements including the comparatives.
New standards issued that are not yet applicable
The Directors have considered new accounting standards issued that are not yet applicable and have noted no
material changes are likely to arise.
Page 42
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2021 (continued)
2 Accounting policies (continued)
Revenue recognition
Recognition
The Company earns revenue from the provision of services relating to Revenue from a contract to provide
services is recognised by the following means:
- Distribution use of system income is primarily recognised on a per unit (volumetric i.e. kWh and capacity i.e.
kVA) and fixed (per ‘customer’ per day) basis;
- Customer contributions for connections are amortised over the life of the corresponding asset;
- Meter asset provision are recognised over time;
- Intercompany recharges for services provided are based on costs incurred; and
- Other revenue includes assessment and design fees and disconnections from the network, these are recognised
by reference to the proportion of total costs of providing the service.
This revenue is recognised in the accounting period when the services are rendered at an amount that reflects the
consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for fulfilling its performance obligations to
customers.
The principles in IFRS are applied to revenue recognition criteria using the following 5 step model:
1. Identify the contracts with the customer
2. Identify the performance obligations in the contract
3. Determine the transaction price
4. Allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract
5. Recognise revenue when or as the entity satisfies its performance obligations
Fee arrangements
Below are details of fee arrangements and how these are measured and recognised, for revenue from the
provision of services:
• For regulated fees the revenue for the service is recognised on the basis of agreed charging methodologies
which is primarily recognised on a per unit (volumetric i.e. kWh and capacity (kVA)) and fixed (per
'customer' per day) basis;
• For fixed fee for connection the revenue is recognised over the life of the corresponding asset.
• For fixed fee arrangements from services revenue is recognised based on the stage of completion and
performance obligations met for actual services provided as a proportion of the total fixed fee agreed in the
contract.
• For fee for service (time) revenue is recognised by time performed on the contract to the year end date using
contractual rates specified in the contract.
The main performance obligations in contracts consist of the provision of a distribution network to electricity
suppliers. For these contracts, through the distribution and connection use of system agreement (DCUSA) the
delivery of performance obligations are measured at the balance sheet date by the number of units: combination
of kWh, capacity and fixed daily basis.
Page 43
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2021 (continued)
2 Accounting policies (continued)
Leases
The Company applies IFRS 16 to all leases (except as noted below) which include buildings, land and fleet
vehicles. The right-of-use assets are initially measured at the amount of the lease liability plus any initial direct
costs incurred by the lessee. Subsequently, the assets are measured under the fair value method. The
corresponding lease liability is initially measured at present value of all lease payments over the lease term and
can be restated if the terms or other criteria of the contract change. These values can be found in the Statement
of Financial Position.
The Company has taken practical expedients as per below:
- For short-term leases (lease term of 12 months or less) and leases of low-value assets (which includes personal
computers, small items of office furniture and telephones), the Company has opted to recognise a lease expense
on a straight-line basis as permitted by IFRS 16. This expense is presented within ‘administrative expenses’ in
the Statement of Profit or Loss.
- Applies single discount rate to a portfolio of leases;
- Uses hindsight to determine the lease term when contract contains options to extend or terminate the lease; and
- Adjusts right of use asset by provision for onerous leases as an alternative to performing an impairment
review.
The weighted average lessee’s incremental borrowing rate applied to determine the present value of the lease
liabilities during the current period was 1.75% (2020: 2.43%).
The Company recognises deprecation of right-of-use assets (within administration expenses) and interest on
lease liabilities (within finance costs) in the Statement of Profit and Loss. Within the Statement of cash flow, the
Company separates the total amount of cash paid between the principal portion and the interest, both of which
are presented within financing activities.
Right-of-use assets are depreciated over the shorter of the useful life of the asset or the lease term. For
information regarding the depreciation charge per class of asset and carrying value, please refer to Note 12
Right of use assets.
Finance income and costs policy
Finance income from a financial asset is recognised when it is probable that the economic benefits will flow to
the Company and the amount of income can be measured reliably. Interest income is accrued on a time basis, by
reference to the principal outstanding and at the effective interest rate applicable, which is the rate that exactly
discounts estimated future cash receipts through the expected life of the financial asset to that asset's net
carrying amount on initial recognition.
Finance costs directly attributable to the acquisition, construction or production of qualifying assets, which are
assets that necessarily take a substantial period of time to get ready for their intended use are added to the cost of
those assets, until such time as the assets are substantially ready for their intended use.
All other borrowing costs are recognised in profit or loss in the period which they are incurred.
Page 44
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2021 (continued)
2 Accounting policies (continued)
Tax
The tax expense for the period comprises current and deferred tax. Tax is recognised in profit or loss, except that
a change attributable to an item of income or expense recognised as other comprehensive income is also
recognised directly in other comprehensive income.
The current income tax charge is calculated on the basis of tax rates and laws that have been enacted or
substantively enacted by the reporting date in the countries where the company operates and generates taxable
income.
Deferred income tax is recognised on temporary differences arising between the tax bases of assets and
liabilities and their carrying amounts in the financial statements and on unused tax losses or tax credits in the
company. Deferred income tax is determined using tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively
enacted by the reporting date.
The carrying amount of deferred tax assets are reviewed at each reporting date and a valuation allowance is set
up against deferred tax assets so that the net carrying amount equals the highest amount that is more likely than
not to be recovered based on current or future taxable profit.
Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment is stated in the statement of financial position at cost, less any subsequent
accumulated depreciation and subsequent accumulated impairment losses.
The cost of property, plant and equipment includes directly attributable incremental costs incurred in their
acquisition and installation.
Assets in the course of construction are carried at cost, less any recognised impairment loss. Costs include
professional fees, and, for qualifying assets, borrowing costs capitalised in accordance with the Company's
accounting policy. Such assets are classified to the appropriate categories of property, plant and equipment when
completed and ready for intended use. Depreciation on these assets, on the same basis as other assets,
commences when the assets are commissioned. Assets are derecognised when they are disposed of profit or loss
on disposal is recognised in other gains on the statement of profit or loss.
Page 45
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2021 (continued)
2 Accounting policies (continued)
Depreciation
Depreciation is charged so as to write off the cost of assets, other than land and properties under construction
over their estimated useful lives. Depreciation is recognised on a straight-line basis as follows:
Asset Class Depreciation rate
Distribution system;
- Generation assets 15 years
- Metering equipment up to 5 years
- Information technology up to 10 years
- Land not depreciated
- Other system assets 45 years
Buildings;
- Freehold up to 60 years
- Leasehold lower of lease period of 60 years
Non-operational land not depreciated
Furniture, fittings and equipment up to 10 years
Intangible assets
An internally generated intangible asset arising from development is recognised if the conditions set out in IAS
38 relating to the recognition of intangible assets are met. The amount initially recognised for
internally-generated intangible asset is the sum of expenditure incurred from the date when the intangible asset
first meets the recognition criteria. Amortisation is recognised on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful
lives.
Amortisation
Amortisation is provided on intangible assets so as to write off the cost, less any estimated residual value, over
their expected useful economic life as follows:
Asset class Amortisation method and rate
Software development costs up to 10 years
Derecognition
An intangible asset is derecognised on disposal, or when no future economic benefits are expected from use or
disposal. Gains or losses arising from derecognition of an intangible asset, measured as the difference between
the net disposal proceeds and the carrying amount of the asset, are recognised in the profit or loss when the asset
is derecognised.
Page 46
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2021 (continued)
2 Accounting policies (continued)
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and call deposits, and other short-term highly liquid
investments that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of
changes in value.
Trade receivables
Trade receivables are amounts due from customers for merchandise sold or services performed in the ordinary
course of business. If collection is expected in one year or less (or in the normal operating cycle of the business
if longer), they are classified as current assets. If not, they are presented as non-current assets.
Trade receivables are recognised initially at the transaction price. They are subsequently measured at amortised
cost using the effective interest method, less provision for impairment. A provision for the impairment of trade
receivables is established when there is objective evidence that the company will not be able to collect all
amounts due according to the original terms of the receivables.
Inventories
The cost of finished goods and work in progress comprises direct materials and, where applicable, direct labour
costs and those overheads that have been incurred in bringing the inventories to their present location and
condition. At each reporting date, inventories are assessed for impairment. If inventory is impaired, the carrying
amount is reduced to its selling price less costs to complete and sell; the impairment loss is recognised
immediately in profit or loss.
Page 47
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2021 (continued)
2 Accounting policies (continued)
Trade payables
Trade payables are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of
business from suppliers. Accounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year
or less (or in the normal operating cycle of the business if longer). If not, they are presented as non-current
liabilities.
Trade payables are recognised initially at the transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost
using the effective interest method.
Borrowings
All borrowings are initially recorded at the amount of proceeds received, net of transaction costs. Borrowings
are subsequently carried at amortised cost, with the difference between the proceeds, net of transaction costs,
and the amount due on redemption being recognised as a charge to the income statement over the period of the
relevant borrowing.
Interest expense is recognised on the basis of the effective interest method and is included in finance costs.
Borrowings are classified as current liabilities unless the company has an unconditional right to defer settlement
of the liability for at least 12 months after the reporting date.
Provisions
Provisions are recognised when the company has a present obligation (legal or constructive) as a result of a past
event, it is probable that the group will be required to settle that obligation and a reliable estimate can be made
of the amount of the obligation.
Provisions are measured at the directors’ best estimate of the expenditure required to settle the obligation at the
reporting date and are discounted to present value where the effect is material.
Impairment of non-financial assets
At the balance sheet date, the Company reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible and intangible assets to
determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such
indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated to determine the extent of the impairment loss
(if any). Where the asset does not generate cash flows that are independent from other assets, the group
estimates the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs.
An intangible asset with an indefinite useful life is tested for impairment at least annually and whenever there is
an indication that the asset may be impaired.
Where the recoverable amount is estimated to be less than its carrying amount, the carrying amount of the asset
is reduced to its recoverable amount. An impairment loss is recognised immediately in profit or loss.
Share capital
Ordinary shares are classified as equity. Equity instruments are measured at the fair value of the cash or other
resources received or receivable, net of the direct costs of issuing the equity instruments. If payment is deferred
and the time value of money is material, the initial measurement is on a present value basis.
Page 48
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2021 (continued)
2 Accounting policies (continued)
Dividends
Dividend distribution to the company’s shareholders is recognised as a liability in the company’s financial
statements in the period in which the dividends are approved by the company’s shareholders.
Defined benefit pension obligation
The Company contributes to the DB Scheme, a defined benefit scheme that shares risk between various entities
under common control. There is no contractual agreement or stated policy for charging the net defined benefit
cost for the plan as a whole to individual group entities and accordingly the Company financial statements
account for the Northern Powergrid Group of the ESPS as if it were a defined contribution scheme.
Contributions to the Northern Powergrid Group of the ESPS are charged to the statement of profit or loss or
capitalised as part of property, plant and equipment/ intangibles. The capital costs of ex-gratia and
supplementary pensions are normally charged to the statement of profit or loss in the period in which they are
granted.
The Company also participates in a defined contribution scheme. Contributions payable to the defined
contribution scheme are charged to the statement of profit or loss in the year. Differences between contributions
payable in the year and contributions actually paid are shown as either accruals or prepayments in the statement
of financial position.
Financial instruments
Initial recognition
Financial assets and financial liabilities comprise all assets and liabilities reflected in the statement of financial
position, although excluding property, plant and equipment, investment properties, intangible assets, deferred
tax assets, prepayments, deferred tax liabilities and employee benefits plan.
The company recognises financial assets and financial liabilities in the statement of financial position when, and
only when, the company becomes party to the contractual provisions of the financial instrument.
Financial assets are initially recognised at fair value. Financial liabilities are initially recognised at fair value,
representing the proceeds received net of premiums, discounts and transaction costs that are directly attributable
to the financial liability.
All regular way purchases and sales of financial assets and financial liabilities classified as fair value through
profit or loss (“FVTPL”) are recognised on the trade date, i.e. the date on which the company commits to
purchase or sell the financial assets or financial liabilities. All regular way purchases and sales of other financial
assets and financial liabilities are recognised on the settlement date, i.e. the date on which the asset or liability is
received from or delivered to the counterparty. Regular way purchases or sales are purchases or sales of
financial assets that require delivery within the time frame generally established by regulation or convention in
the market place.
Subsequent to initial measurement, financial assets and financial liabilities are measured at either amortised cost
or fair value.
Page 49
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2021 (continued)
2 Accounting policies (continued)
Classification and measurement
Financial instruments are classified at inception into one of the following categories, which then determine the
subsequent measurement methodology:-
Financial assets are classified into one of the following three categories:-
· financial assets at amortised cost;
· financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income (FVTOCI); or
· financial assets at fair value through the profit or loss (FVTPL).
Financial liabilities are classified into one of the following two categories:-
· financial liabilities at amortised cost; or
· financial liabilities at fair value through the profit or loss (FVTPL).
The classification and the basis for measurement are subject to the company’s business model for managing the
financial assets and the contractual cash flow characteristics of the financial assets, as detailed below:-
Financial assets at amortised cost
A financial asset is measured at amortised cost if it meets both of the following conditions and is not designated
as at FVTPL:-
· the assets are held within a business model whose objective is to hold assets in order to collect contractual cash
flows; and
· the contractual terms of the financial assets give rise on specified dates to cash flows that are solely payments
of principal and interest on the principal amount outstanding.
If either of the above two criteria is not met, the financial assets are classified and measured at fair value through
the profit or loss (FVTPL).
If a financial asset meets the amortised cost criteria, the company may choose to designate the financial asset at
FVTPL. Such an election is irrevocable and applicable only if the FVTPL classification significantly reduces a
measurement or recognition inconsistency.
Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income (FVTOCI)
A financial asset is measured at FVTOCI only if it meets both of the following conditions and is not designated
as at FVPTL:-
· the asset is held within a business model whose objective is achieved by both collecting contractual cash flows
and selling financial assets; and
· the contractual terms of the financial assets give rise on specified dates to cash flows that are solely payments
of principal and interest on the principal amount outstanding.
On initial recognition of an equity investments that is not held for trading, the company may irrevocably elect to
present subsequent changes in fair value in OCI. This election is made on an investment-by-investment basis.
If an equity investment is designated as FVTOCI, all gains and losses, except for dividend income, are
recognised in other comprehensive income and are not subsequently included in the statement of income.
Financial assets at fair value through the profit or loss (FVTPL)
Financial assets not otherwise classified above are classified and measured as FVTPL.
Financial liabilities at amortised cost
All financial liabilities, other than those classified as financial liabilities at FVTPL, are measured at amortised
cost using the effective interest rate method.
Page 50
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2021 (continued)
2 Accounting policies (continued)
Financial liabilities at fair value through the profit or loss
Financial liabilities not measured at amortised cost are classified and measured at FVTPL. This classification
includes derivative liabilities.
Derecognition
Financial assets
The company derecognises a financial asset when;
- the contractual rights to the cash flows from the financial asset expire,
- it transfers the right to receive the contractual cash flows in a transaction in which substantially all of the risks
and rewards of ownership of the financial asset are transferred; or
- the company neither transfers nor retains substantially all of the risks and rewards of ownership and it does not
retain control of the financial asset.
On derecognition of a financial asset, the difference between the carrying amount of the asset and the sum of the
consideration received is recognised as a gain or loss in the profit or loss.
Any cumulative gain or loss recognised in OCI in respect of equity investment securities designated as FVTOCI
is not recognised in profit or loss on derecognition of such securities. Any interest in transferred financial assets
that qualify for derecognition that is created or retained by the company is recognised as a separate asset or
liability.
The company enters into transactions whereby it transfers assets recognised on its statement of financial
position, but retains either all or substantially all of risks and rewards of the transferred assets or a portion of
them. In such cases, the transferred assets are not derecognised.
When the company derecognises transferred financial assets in their entirety, but has continuing involvement in
them then the entity should disclose for each type of continuing involvement at the reporting date:
(a) The carrying amount of the assets and liabilities that are recognised in the entity’s statement of financial
position and represent the entity’s continuing involvement in the derecognised financial assets, and the line
items in which those assets and liabilities are recognised;
(b) The fair value of the assets and liabilities that represent the entity’s continuing involvement in the
derecognised financial assets;
(c) The amount that best represents the entity’s maximum exposure to loss from its continuing involvement in
the derecognised financial assets, and how the maximum exposure to loss is determined; and
(d) The undiscounted cash outflows that would or may be required to repurchase the derecognised financial
assets or other amounts payable to the transferee for the transferred assets.
Financial liabilities
The company derecognises a financial liability when its contractual obligations are discharged, cancelled, or
expire.
Page 51
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2021 (continued)
2 Accounting policies (continued)
Modification of financial assets and financial liabilities
Financial assets
If the terms of a financial asset are modified, the company evaluates whether the cash flows of the modified
asset are substantially different. If the cash flows are substantially different, then the contractual rights to the
cash flows from the original financial asset are deemed to expire. In this case the original financial asset is
derecognised and a new financial asset is recognised at either amortised cost or fair value.
If the cash flows are not substantially different, then the modification does not result in derecognition of the
financial asset. In this case, the company recalculates the gross carrying amount of the financial asset and
recognises the amount arising from adjusting the gross carrying amount as a modification gain or loss in the
statement of income.
Financial liabilities
If the terms of a financial liabilities are modified, the company evaluates whether the cash flows of the modified
asset are substantially different. If the cash flows are substantially different, then the contractual obligations
from the cash flows from the original financial liabilities are deemed to expire. In this case the original financial
liabilities are derecognised and new financial liabilities are recognised at either amortised cost or fair value.
If the cash flows are not substantially different, then the modification does not result in derecognition of the
financial liabilities. In this case, the company recalculates the gross carrying amount of the financial liabilities
and recognises the amount arising from adjusting the gross carrying amount as a modification gain or loss in the
statement of income.
Page 52
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2021 (continued)
2 Accounting policies (continued)
Impairment of financial assets
Measurement of Expected Credit Losses
The company recognises loss allowances for expected credit losses (ECL) on financial instruments that are not
measured at FVPTL, namely:
- Financial assets that are debt instruments;
- Accounts and other receivables;
- Financial guarantee contracts issued; and
- Loan commitments issued.
The company classifies its financial instruments into stage 1, stage 2 and stage 3, based on the applied
impairment methodology, as described below:
Stage 1: for financial instruments where there has not been a significant increase in credit risk since initial
recognition and that are not credit-impaired on origination, the company recognises an allowance based on the
12-month ECL.
Stage 2: for financial instruments where there has been a significant increase in credit risk since initial
recognition but they are not credit-impaired, the company recognises an allowance for the lifetime ECL.
Stage 3: for credit-impaired financial instruments, the company recognises the lifetime ECL.
The company measures loss allowances at an amount equal to the lifetime ECL, except for the following, for
which they are measured as a 12-month ECL:
- debt securities that are determined to have a low credit risk (equivalent to investment grade rating) at the
reporting date; and
- other financial instruments on which the credit risk has not increased significantly since their initial
recognition.
The company considers a debt security to have low credit risk when their credit risk rating is equivalent to the
globally understood definition of ‘investment grade’.
A 12-month ECL is the portion of the ECL that results from default events on a financial instrument that are
probable within 12 months from the reporting date.
Provisions for credit-impairment are recognised in the statement of income and are reflected in accumulated
provision balances against each relevant financial instruments balance.
Evidence that the financial asset is credit-impaired include the following;
- Significant financial difficulties of the borrower or issuer;
- A breach of contract such as default or past due event;
- The restructuring of the loan or advance by the company on terms that the company would not consider
otherwise;
- It is becoming probable that the borrower will enter bankruptcy or other financial reorganisation;
- The disappearance of an active market for the security because of financial difficulties; or
- There is other observable data relating to a group of assets such as adverse changes in the payment status of
borrowers or issuers in the company, or economic conditions that correlate with defaults in the company.
Page 53
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2021 (continued)
2 Accounting policies (continued)
For trade receivables, the company applies the simplified approach, which requires expected lifetime losses to
be recognised from initial recognition of the receivables.
To measure the expected credit losses, trade receivables and contract assets have been grouped based on shared
credit risk characteristics and the days past due. The contract assets relate to unbilled work in progress and have
substantially the same risk characteristics as the trade receivables for the same types of contracts. The company
has therefore concluded that the expected loss rates for trade receivables are a reasonable approximation of the
loss rates for the contract assets.
The expected loss rates are based on the payment profiles of sales over a period of 36 month before 31
December 2021 and the corresponding historical credit losses experienced within this period. The historical loss
rates are adjusted to reflect current and forward-looking information on macroeconomic factors affecting the
ability of the customers to settle the receivables. The company has identified the GDP and the unemployment
rate of the countries in which it sells its goods and services to be the most relevant factors, and accordingly
adjusts the historical loss rates based on expected changes in these factors.
Definition of default
The Company considers the following as constituting an event of default for internal credit risk management
purposes as historical experience indicates that financial assets that meet either of the following criteria are not
recoverable:
•
when there is a breach of financial covenants by the debtor; and
• information developed internally or obtained from external sources indicates that the debtor is unlikely to
pay its creditors, including the Company, in full.
Accounting estimates and assumptions
The preparation of the financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect
the reported amounts of certain financial assets, liabilities, income and expenses.
The use of estimates and assumptions is principally limited to the determination of provisions for impairment
and the valuation of financial instruments as explained in more detail below:-
Provisions for impairment
In determining impairment of financial assets, judgement is required in the estimation of the amount and timing
of future cash flows as well as an assessment of whether the credit risk on the financial asset has increased
significantly since initial recognition and incorporation of forward-looking information in the measurement of
ECL.
Fair value of financial assets and liabilities
Where the fair value of financial assets and liabilities cannot be derived from active markets, they are
determined using a variety of valuation techniques that include the use of mathematical models. The input to
these models is derived from observable markets where available, but where this is not feasible, a degree of
judgement is required in determining assumptions used in the models. Changes in assumptions used in the
models could affect the reported fair value of financial assets and liabilities.
Page 54
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2021 (continued)
3 Revenue
The analysis of the Company's revenue for the year from continuing operations is as follows:
2021
£ 000
2020
£ 000
Distribution use of system revenue
412,309 383,509
Work for related parties
11,312 11,238
Amortisation of deferred revenue
34,055 33,018
Other revenue 9,744 9,492
467,420 437,257
Segmental analysis
IFRS 8 Operating Segments requires operating segments to be identified on the basis of internal reports about
components of the Company that are regularly reviewed by the President and Chief Executive Officer of the
Northern Powergrid Group in order to allocate resources to these segments and to assess their performance.
In practice, the President and Chief Executive Officer allocates resources and assesses performance based upon
the aggregate results of the Company and Northern Powergrid (Northeast) plc, another distribution network
operator in the Northern Powergrid Group, suggesting that no segmental reporting is required.
Revenue, profit before tax and net assets are attributable to electricity distribution. Revenue is all in respect of
sales to United Kingdom customers and all Non-Current assets are held in the United Kingdom.
4 Other gains
The analysis of the Company's other gains and losses for the year is as follows:
2021
£ 000
2020
£ 000
Gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment
232 117
Page 55
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2021 (continued)
5 Operating profit
Arrived at after charging/(crediting)
2021
£ 000
2020
£ 000
Depreciation expense
121,670 115,165
Depreciation on right of use assets
2,540 2,259
Amortisation expense
51 64
Amortisation of deferred revenue
(34,055) (33,018)
Research and development cost
1,380 2,221
Trade and other receivables loss allowance
5,100 1,974
Amortisation expense is included in administration costs in the statement of profit or loss on page 26.
6 Finance income and costs
2021
£ 000
2020
£ 000
Finance income
Interest income on financial assets measured at amortised cost
194 27
Other finance income measured at amortised cost 73 631
Total finance income 267 658
Finance costs
Interest on bank overdrafts and borrowings
(39,314) (40,144)
Borrowing costs included in cost of qualifying asset
2,246 1,646
Interest expense on leases (254) (265)
Total finance costs (37,322) (38,763)
Net finance costs
(37,055) (38,105)
Borrowing costs included in the costs of qualifying assets during the year arose on the general borrowing pool
and are calculated by applying a capitalisation rate of 3.28% (2020: 3.40%) to expenditure on such assets.
Page 56
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2021 (continued)
7 Staff costs
2021
£ 000
2020
£ 000
Salaries
61,609 58,740
Social security costs
6,972 6,801
Defined benefit pension costs
7,654 15,314
Defined contribution pension costs 4,520 4,122
80,755 84,977
Less charged to plant, property and equipment (52,612) (50,242)
28,143 34,735
A large proportion of the Company's employees are members of the DB Scheme, most of the remaining
employees are members of the Northern Powergrid Pension Scheme, details of both are given in the employee
benefits note 26.
The monthly average number of persons employed by the company (including directors) during the year,
analysed by category was as follows:
2021
No.
2020
No.
Technical
389 384
Industrial
520 532
Administration and support
114 87
Other departments 118 116
1,141 1,119
8 Directors and other key personnel remuneration
The directors' remuneration for the year was as follows:
2021
£ 000
2020
£ 000
Short-term employee benefits
527 632
Post-retirement benefits - defined contribution
9 11
Other long-term benefits 461 452
997 1,095
During the year the number of directors who were receiving retirement benefits was as follows:
2021
No.
2020
No.
Accruing benefits under money purchase pension scheme
3 4
Page 57
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2021 (continued)
8 Directors and other key personnel remuneration (continued)
In respect of the highest paid director:
2021
£ 000
2020
£ 000
Short-term employee benefits
353 365
Long-term benefits 387 357
740 722
In respect of other key personnel:
2021
£ 000
2020
£ 000
Short-term employee benefits
466 437
Post-retirement benefits - defined benefit
22 5
Post-retirement benefits - defined contribution
80 51
Long-term benefits 196 121
764 614
Other key personnel includes a number of senior functional managers who, whilst not board directors, have
authority and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling the activities of the Company.
The directors and key personnel are remunerated for their services to the Northern Powergrid Group, of which
the Company is a subsidiary. The figures above represent the share of the costs borne by the Company.
Long-term benefits relate to deferred bonus plan vested over the period of the plan.
9 Auditor's remuneration
2021
£ 000
2020
£ 000
Audit of the financial statements
159 158
Other audit services
51 51
Non-audit services 25 26
Total fees payable to the Company's auditor
235 235
Other services relate to non statutory audit services including regulatory reporting and apprentice levy.
Page 58
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2021 (continued)
10 Income tax
Tax charged/(credited) in the income statement
2021
£ 000
2020
£ 000
Current taxation
UK corporation tax
34,806 29,707
UK corporation tax adjustment to prior periods (78) 304
34,728 30,011
Deferred taxation
Arising from origination and reversal of temporary differences
(1,685) (1,649)
Deferred tax adjustment to prior periods
10 (289)
Effect of changes in legislation 41,499 14,721
Total deferred taxation 39,824 12,783
Tax expense in the income statement
74,552 42,794
The tax on profit before tax for the year is higher than the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK (2020
-higher than the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK) of 19% (2020 - 19%).
The differences are reconciled below:
2021
£ 000
2020
£ 000
Profit before tax
175,380 148,066
Corporation tax at standard rate
33,322 28,133
Increase/(decrease) in current tax from adjustment for prior periods
(78) 304
Increase/(decrease) in deferred tax from adjustment for prior periods
10 (289)
Effect of income and expenses not deductible in determining taxable
profit
(59) (39)
Arising from changes in tax rates or laws
41,499 14,721
Other tax effects for reconciliation between accounting profit and tax
expense (142) (36)
Total tax charge
74,552 42,794
Page 59
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2021 (continued)
10 Income tax (continued)
Finance Act 2021 was enacted on the 10 June 2021 and the impact of the Finance Act has increased the rate of
corporation tax from 19% to 25% from 1 April 2023. As a result, deferred tax balances have been re-measured
at the 25% rate and this remeasurement (after taking into account the estimated temporary differences which
will reverse at the 19% rate prior to 1 April 2023) has given rise to an increased deferred tax liability of £41.5m
which is reflected within the above tax charge.
Finance Bill 2020 was enacted in July 2020 and as a result, the rate of corporation tax has been held at 19% as
the Finance Bill 2020 effectively removed the proposed reduction to 17% which was included within Finance
Bill 2016. As a result, deferred tax balances have been re-measured at the 19% rate and this remeasurement
gave rise to an increased deferred tax liability of £14.7m which is reflected within the above tax charge.
There is no uncertainty over the acceptable income tax treatment. Should any uncertainties arise the Company
will apply adopted amendments to IFRIC 23.
Deferred tax
Deferred tax assets and liabilities
Deferred tax movement during the year:
At 1 January
2021
£ 000
Recognised in
income
£ 000
At
31 December
2021
£ 000
Accelerated tax depreciation 139,287 40,614 179,901
Other (968) (789) (1,757)
Net tax liabilities
138,320 39,825 178,145
Deferred tax movement during the prior year:
At 1 January
2020
£ 000
Recognised in
income
£ 000
At
31 December
2020
£ 000
Accelerated tax depreciation 126,067 13,220 139,287
Other (530) (438) (968)
Net tax liabilities
125,537 12,783 138,320
Other comprises provisions and employee expenses deductible for tax on a paid basis and claims for hold over
relief.
The company included a group relief claim from a Berkshire Hathaway group company for losses of £90.6m
within its corporation tax return for the 31 December 2015 and as part of the agreement the parties agreed a
discounted payment for these losses. This would give rise to a potential tax asset to recognise in the Company of
£6.8m. However, this tax asset has not been recognised to date on the basis the surrendering company was
dissolved prior to the formal group relief surrender being made and as a result the surrenderers previous
shareholder is currently in ongoing discussions with HM Revenue & Customs to establish and agree a
mechanism which will permit a valid group relief surrender of the losses which meets the requirements of the
tax legislation. There has been no significant progress on these discussions in the past 12 months but this is
continually monitored by the Company on a regular basis.
Page 60
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2021 (continued)
11 Property, plant and equipment
Land and
buildings
£ 000
Distribution
system
£ 000
Furniture,
fittings and
equipment
£ 000
Total
£ 000
Cost or valuation
At 1 January 2020
4,505 4,543,525 42,587 4,590,617
Additions
453 248,996 2,992 252,441
Disposals - (12,663) (110) (12,773)
At 31 December 2020 4,958 4,779,858 45,469 4,830,285
sample
At 1 January 2021
4,958 4,779,858 45,469 4,830,285
Additions
(278) 268,887 2,932 271,541
Disposals - (17,471) - (17,471)
At 31 December 2021 4,680 5,031,274 48,401 5,084,355
Depreciation
At 1 January 2020
2,948 1,109,739 34,072 1,146,759
Charge for year
178 111,482 3,505 115,165
Eliminated on disposal - (12,663) (110) (12,773)
At 31 December 2020 3,126 1,208,558 37,467 1,249,151
sample
At 1 January 2021
3,126 1,208,558 37,467 1,249,151
Charge for the year
178 118,351 3,141 121,670
Eliminated on disposal - (17,471) - (17,471)
At 31 December 2021 3,304 1,309,438 40,608 1,353,350
Carrying amount
At 31 December 2020
1,832 3,571,300 8,002 3,581,134
At 31 December 2021
1,376 3,721,836 7,793 3,731,005
Page 61
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2021 (continued)
11 Property, plant and equipment (continued)
Expenditure recognised in the carrying amount of property, plant and equipment in the course of construction
:
31
December
2021
£ 000
31
December
2020
£ 000
Distribution system 239,130 218,099
Contractual commitments for the acquisition of property, plant and equipment
:
31
December
2021
£ 000
31
December
2020
£ 000
Distribution system 50,800 68,020
12 Right of use assets
Property
£ 000
Fleet
£ 000
Total
£ 000
Cost or valuation
At 1 January 2020
474 8,481 8,955
Additions
919 2,440 3,359
Disposals (88) (272) (360)
At 31 December 2020 1,305 10,649 11,954
At 1 January 2021
1,305 10,649 11,954
Additions
- 2,913 2,913
Disposals (41) (496) (537)
At 31 December 2021 1,264 13,066 14,330
Depreciation
At 1 January 2020
132 1,714 1,846
Charge for year
161 2,098 2,259
Eliminated on disposal (88) (272) (360)
At 31 December 2020 205 3,540 3,745
At 1 January 2021
205 3,540 3,745
Charge for the year
129 2,411 2,540
Eliminated on disposal (41) (496) (537)
At 31 December 2021 293 5,455 5,748
Carrying amount
At 31 December 2021
971 7,611 8,582
At 31 December 2020
1,100 7,109 8,209
Page 62
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2021 (continued)
13 Intangible assets
Internally
generated
software
development
costs
£ 000
Cost or valuation
At 1 January 2020
34,900
Additions 9
At 31 December 2020
34,909
At 1 January 2021
34,909
Additions 10
At 31 December 2021 34,919
Amortisation
At 1 January 2020
34,760
Amortisation charge 64
At 31 December 2020
34,824
At 1 January 2021
34,824
Amortisation charge 51
At 31 December 2021 34,875
Carrying amount
At 1 January 2020
140
At 31 December 2020
85
At 31 December 2021
44
Page 63
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2021 (continued)
14 Investments
Associates
Details of the associates as at 31 December 2021 are as follows:
Name of associate Principal activity Registered office
Proportion of
ownership interest
and voting rights
held
2021 2020
Electralink Limited + Data transfer network
operator
Northumberland House,
303-306 Holborn, WC1V 7JZ,
England and Wales
7.2% 7.2%
MRA Service Company
Limited +
Governance of the
electrcity industrys
Master Registration
Agreement
8 Fenchurch Place, London,
EC3M 4AJ, England and
Wales
0.36% 0.39%
DCUSA Limited + Governance of
Distribution Connection
and Use of System
Agreement
Northumberland House,
303-306 Holborn, WC1V 7JZ,
England and Wales
1.69% 1.69%
Smart Energy Code
Company Limited +
Governance of Smart
Metering Energy
Agreements
8 Fenchurch Place, London,
EC3M 4AJ
0.32% 0.34%
+ indicates accounted for using the equity method
These are all holdings in ordinary shares.
15 Inventories
31 December
2021
£ 000
31 December
2020
£ 000
Work in progress
488 640
Page 64
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2021 (continued)
16 Trade and other receivables
31 December
2021
£ 000
31 December
2020
£ 000
Distribution use of system receivables
70,122 66,506
Trade receivables
4,374 563
Loss allowance (7,464) (3,838)
Net trade receivables
67,032 63,231
Prepayments 6,487 5,278
73,519 68,509
The average credit period on receivables is 30 days. No interest is charged on outstanding trade receivables.
The Company always measures the loss allowance for trade receivables at an amount equal to lifetime expected
credit loss. The expected credit losses on trade receivables are estimated using a provision matrix by reference
to past default experience of the debtor and an analysis of the debtor’s current financial position, adjusted for
factors that are specific to the debtors, general economic conditions of the industry in which the debtors operate
and an assessment of both the current as well as the forecast direction of conditions at the reporting date.
There has been no change in the estimation techniques or significant assumptions made during the current
reporting period.
The Company writes off a trade receivable when there is information indicating that the debtor is in severe
financial difficulty and there is no realistic prospect of recovery, e.g. when the debtor has been placed under
liquidation or has entered into bankruptcy proceedings, or when the trade receivables are over two years past
due, whichever occurs earlier. None of the trade receivables that have been written off is subject to enforcement
activities.
As the Company’s historical credit loss experience does shows significantly different loss patterns for different
customer segments, the provision for loss allowance based on past due status is not distinguished between
distributions use of systems ("DUoS") receivables, non-damages receivables, and damages receivables.
Movement in the loss allowance
31 December
2021
£ 000
31 December
2020
£ 000
At 1 January
3,838 1,979
Amounts utilised/written off in the year
(1,474) (115)
Amounts recognised in the statement of profit or loss 5,100 1,974
At 31 December
7,464 3,838
The loss allowance is made on amount due net of VAT which would be recoverable from Her Majesty's
Revenue and Customs when the debt is written off.
Included in the allowance for doubtful debts are specific trade receivables, with a balance of £4.9 million (2020:
£2.5 million), which have been placed in administration. The impairment represents the difference between the
carrying amount of the specific trade receivable and the present value of the expected liquidation dividend.
Page 65
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2021 (continued)
16 Trade and other receivables (continued)
The increase in the amount recognised in the year follows the failure of a number of electricity supply
companies in 2021. Subject to certain conditions mentioned on page 66, losses arising in relation to distribution
use of system debts will be recovered through an increase in future allowed income.
Distribution use of system receivables
The customers served by the Company’s distribution network are supplied predominantly by a number of
electricity supply businesses (circa 110) with the E.ON Group accounting for approximately 24.8% of
distribution revenues in 2021 (2020:26.5%) and British Gas plc accounting for approximately 13.1% of
distribution revenues in 2021 (2020:13.0%). Ofgem, under Code Governance arrangements set-out a framework
known as Credit Cover within the Distribution Connection and Use of System Agreement (DCUSA), which set
credit limits for each supply business based on its credit rating (taken from a credit rating agency). If no credit
score is available then they can build up their credit limit through good payment history. In addition, suppliers
can provide other forms of collateral to cover their value at risk (measured as being equivalent to 45 days usage)
or if their credit rating alone is not sufficient to cover their value at risk. Acceptable collateral typically is
provided in the form of a parent company guarantee, letter of credit, cash or an escrow account. Included within
other payables are customer cash deposits of which there was £1.4 million as at 31 December 2021 (2020
£1.7m).
Provided the Company has implemented credit control, billing and collection processes in line with Ofgem’s
best practice guidelines and can demonstrate compliance with the guidelines or is able to satisfactorily explain
departure from the guidelines, any bad debt losses arising from supplier default will be recovered through an
increase in future years allowed income. Losses incurred to date have been material due to the unprecedented
number of suppliers falling into liquidation over the course of the year. Included in the Company’s use of
system (“UoS”) receivables are 27 debtors with a carrying value of £3.1 million which have been placed into
administration and have therefore been provided in full at the year-end (2020 £2.0m).
The following table details the age of DUoS receivables:
2021
Not due
£ 000
Current
£ 000
1-3 months
£ 000
3-6 months
£ 000
Total balance
39,447 26,943 2,201 1,532
Less specific provisions
- (286) (2,193) (1,181)
Balance on which ECL made
39,447 26,657 8 351
Expected credit loss
- - - -
2020
Not due
£ 000
Current
£ 000
1-3 months
£ 000
3-6 months
£ 000
Total balance
36,880 26,736 147 2,648
Less specific provisions
- (330) (145) (1,513)
Balance on which ECL made
36,880 26,406 2 1,135
Expected credit loss
- - - -
Page 66
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2021 (continued)
16 Trade and other receivables (continued)
Other trade receivables
In determining the recoverability of the trade and other receivables, the Company considers any change in the
credit quality of the trade and other receivable from the date credit was initially granted up to the reporting date.
The concentration of credit risk, other than in relation to DUoS receivables, is limited due to the customer base
being large and unrelated. Accordingly, the directors believe that there is no further credit provision required in
excess of the allowance for doubtful debts.
Included in the allowance for doubtful debts are specific trade receivables, with a balance of £4.9 million (2020:
£2.5 million), which have been placed in administration. The impairment represents the difference between the
carrying amount of the specific trade receivable and the present value of the expected liquidation dividend.
Page 67
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2021 (continued)
16 Trade and other receivables (continued)
Damages
2021
1-6 months
£ 000
6-12 months
£ 000
1-2 years
£ 000
2-3 years
£ 000
Over 3
years
£ 000
Total balance
1,498 530 512 160 62
Less specific provisions
(241) (60) (132) (43) (30)
Balance on which ECL made
1,257 470 380 117 32
Lifetime ECL
20% 25% 30% 40% 80%
Expected credit loss
251 117 114 47 26
2020
1-6 months
£ 000
6-12 months
£ 000
1-2 years
£ 000
2-3 years
£ 000
Over 3
years
£ 000
Total balance
1,020 309 548 196 49
Less specific provisions
(103) (42) (199) (44) (21)
Balance on which ECL made
917 267 349 152 28
PriorECL
20% 25% 30% 40% 80%
Expected credit loss
183 67 105 61 22
Non-damages
2021
Not due
£ 000
Current
£ 000
1-6 months
£ 000
6-12 months
£ 000
Over 1 year
£ 000
Total balance
279 350 571 247 386
Lifetime ECL
0% 0% 0% 50% 89%
Expected credit loss
123 343
2020
Not due
£ 000
Current
£ 000
1-6 months
£ 000
6-12 months
£ 000
Over 1 year
£ 000
Total balance
527 975 359 235 404
Lifetime ECL
0% 0% 0% 50% 50%
Expected credit loss
- - - 117 202
There has been no significant change in the gross amounts of trade receivables that has affected the estimation
of loss allowance.
Page 68
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2021 (continued)
16 Trade and other receivables (continued)
Significant increase in credit risk
In assessing whether the credit risk on a financial instrument has increased significantly since initial recognition,
the Company compares the risk of a default occurring on a financial instrument at the reporting date with the
risk of a default occurring on the financial instrument at the date of initial recognition. In making this
assessment the Company considers historical experience as well as forward-looking information that is available
without undue cost or effort. Forward-looking information includes the future prospects of the industries in
which the Company's debtors operate obtained from economic expert reports, financial analysts, government
bodies, relevant think-tanks and other similar organisations. In particular the following information is taken into
account when assessing whether credit risk has increased significantly since initial recognition:
• existing or forecast adverse changes in business, financial or economic conditions that are expected to cause
a significant decrease in the debtor's ability to meet its debt obligations;
• an actual or expected significant deterioration in the operating results of the debtor;
• significant increases in credit risk on other financial instruments of the same debtor; and
• an actual or expected significant adverse change in the regulatory, economic, or technological environment
of the debtor that results in a significant decrease in the debtor's ability to meet its debt obligations.
Sales of goods and services comprise all income streams which are not classified as DUoS income. Examples of
non-DUoS income streams would be service alterations/disconnections, assessment and design fees, and
recovery of amounts for damage caused by third parties to the distribution system. The average credit period on
sales of goods and services is 30 days. Interest is not generally charged on the trade receivables paid after the
due date.
17 Cash and cash equivalents
31 December
2021
£ 000
31 December
2020
£ 000
Cash at bank
3 258
Other cash and cash equivalents 113,998 133,985
114,001 134,243
18 Share capital
Allotted, called up and fully paid shares
31 December
2021
31 December
2020
No. £ No. £
Ordinary Share Capital of £1 each
290,000,000 290,000,000 290,000,000 290,000,000
The Company has 400 million shares authorised for use. The Company has one class of ordinary shares which
carries no right to fixed income.
Page 69
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2021 (continued)
19 Reserves
Retained
earnings
£ 000
At 1 January 2021
1,271,496
Profit for the year 100,828
Total comprehensive income
100,828
Dividends (34,400)
At 31 December 2021
1,337,924
Retained
earnings
£ 000
At 1 January 2020
1,199,824
Profit for the year 105,272
Total comprehensive income
105,272
Dividends (33,600)
At 31 December 2020
1,271,496
20 Loans and borrowings
31 December
2021
£ 000
31 December
2020
£ 000
Non-current loans and borrowings
968,698 1,119,024
Current loans and borrowings 168,206 17,210
1,136,904 1,136,234
Page 70
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2021 (continued)
20 Loans and borrowings (continued)
Book value Fair value
31 December
2021
£ 000
31 December
2020
£ 000
31 December
2021
£ 000
31 December
2020
£ 000
Short-term loan
2 6 2 6
2022 - European Investment Bank
4.133%
153,791 153,764 153,791 161,955
2025 - European Investment Bank -
2.073%
50,086 50,086 50,978 53,451
2025 - 2.5% bonds
151,860 151,579 156,959 164,168
2027 - European Investment Bank
2.564%
130,139 130,139 136,606 145,630
2032 - 4.375% bonds
151,210 151,061 184,883 202,877
2035 - 5.125% bonds
204,479 204,362 272,012 299,431
2059 - 2.25% bonds
295,337 295,237 313,467 367,740
1,136,904 1,136,234 1,268,698 1,395,258
The fair value of liabilities held at amortised cost, is set out above and based on Level 1 inputs.
The fair value of the bonds is determined with reference to quoted market prices. The directors' estimates of the
fair value of bank loans and internal borrowings are determined in accordance with generally accepted pricing
models based on discounted cash flow analysis using prices from observable current market transactions or
dealer quotes for similar instruments. The fair value of short-term borrowings is equal to their book value. All
loans are non-secured and are denominated in sterling.
The company's exposure to market and liquidity risk in respect of loans and borrowings is disclosed in financial
risk review note 29.
Page 71
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2021 (continued)
21 Lease Liabilities
Lease Commitments
Leases primarily relate to the hire of fleet vehicles from Vehicle Lease and Service Ltd and the rental of
operational and non operational land and buildings. The vehicle leases have terms between 2 and 7 years. The
Company does not have the option to purchase the vehicles at the end of the lease term.
The operational land lease are between 10 and 999 years, but in the majority are between 20 and 60 years. As
the leases are regarded as a business tenancy, the Company has the option to renew the lease under the 1954
Landlord and Tenant Act unless a landlord is to redevelop or has grounds to recover land as prescribed under the
Act, and may acquire the freehold at any time by agreement. The Company also has the ability to compulsory
purchase the freehold.
Maturity analysis - contractual undiscounted cash flows:
31 December
2021
£ 000
31 December
2020
£ 000
Within one year
2,590 2,377
In two to five years
5,789 5,629
In over five years
1,149 1,181
Total lease payment 9,528 9,187
Unearned interest
(714) (800)
Total lease liabilites
8,814 8,387
The total cash outflow for leases during the year was £2.7 million (2020: £2.4 million). Within cash outflow is
lease expense of £2.5 million (2020: £2.2 million).
22 Provisions
Claims
£ 000
Other
provisions
£ 000
Total
£ 000
At 1 January 2021
528 963 1,491
Additional Provisions
796 1,031 1,827
Additional Provisions (680) (554) (1,234)
At 31 December 2021
644 1,440 2,084
Non-current liabilities
- 555 555
Current liabilities
644 885 1,529
Page 72
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2021 (continued)
22 Provisions (continued)
Claims: Provision has been made to cover costs arising from utility damages, public liability, and motoring third
party claims, which are not externally insured. Settlement is expected substantially within 12 months.
Other: Primarily consists of a provision for future safe disposal of transformers which contain oil contaminated
with Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) and for an amount to cover claims made under Section 74 of the New
Road and Street Works Act 1991. Costs are expected to be incurred over the next 15 years.
23 Trade and other payables
31 December
2021
£ 000
31 December
2020
£ 000
Payments on Account
45,454 36,985
Trade payables
5,745 1,476
Accrued expenses
8,118 5,928
Capital Accruals
28,714 29,989
Social security and other taxes
10,389 10,518
Other payables 3,247 3,642
101,667 88,538
The Company's exposure to market and liquidity risks, including maturity analysis, related to trade and other
payables is disclosed in note 29 "Financial risk review".
24 Deferred revenue
31 December
2021
£ 000
31 December
2020
£ 000
Opening balance
859,855 853,121
Additions
47,506 39,752
Amortisation (34,055) (33,018)
Closing Balance
873,306 859,855
31 December
2021
£ 000
31 December
2020
£ 000
Current
35,859 34,099
Non-current 837,447 825,756
873,306 859,855
Deferred revenue relates to customer contributions towards distribution system assets. The Company's policy is
to credit the customer contribution to revenue on a straight-line basis, in line with the useful life of the
distribution system assets.
Page 73
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2021 (continued)
25 Dividends
31 December
2021
31 December
2020
£ 000 £ 000
Interim dividend of 11.9p (2020 - 11.6p) per ordinary share
34,400 33,600
26 Pension and other schemes
Defined contribution pension scheme
The Company operates a defined contribution pension scheme. The pension cost charge for the year represents
contributions payable by the Company to the scheme and amounted to £4.5 million (2020 - £4.1 million). The
pension cost for 2022 is expected to be £4.9 million.
Defined benefit pension scheme
The Company operates a defined benefit pension scheme. The pension cost charge for the year represents
contributions payable by the Company to the scheme and amounted to £7.6 million (2020 - £15.3 million). The
pension cost for 2022 is expected to be £4.8 million.
During the year ended 31 December 2021, the Group participated in a scheme which is part of the Northern
Powergrid Group of the Electricity Supply Pension scheme (the “DB Scheme”). The DB Scheme provides
benefits based on a member’s final permissible salary. The assets of the defined benefit sections are held in a
separate trustee-administered fund. Contributions to these sections are assessed in accordance with the advice of
an independent qualified actuary. The defined benefit sections of the scheme have been closed to new entrants
from 1997. The scheme is a plan for related companies within the Group where risks are shared. The overall
costs of the scheme have been recognised in the Northern Powergrid Holdings Group financial statements
according to IAS 19 (revised). Each of the participating companies accounts on the basis of contributions paid
by that company. The Group accounts for the difference between the aggregate IAS 19 (revised) cost of the
scheme and the aggregate contributions paid. The scheme is governed by a Trustee Company in accordance with
a Trust Deed and Rules. It is also subject to regulation from the Pensions Regulator and relevant UK legislation.
This regulatory framework requires the Trustees of the scheme and the Group to agree upon the assumptions
underlying the funding target, and the necessary contributions as part of each triennial valuation. The last
actuarial valuation of the scheme had an effective date of March 2019. The investment strategy of the scheme,
which aims to meet liabilities as they fall due, is to invest plan assets in a mix of equities, other return seeking
assets and liability driven investments to maximise the return on plan assets and minimise risks associated with
lower than expected returns on plan assets. Trustees are required to regularly review investment strategy. As it is
not possible to identify the Group’s share of the net assets and liabilities of the scheme on a consistent and
reasonable basis due to the high volume of members/pensioners and the historic interaction between Group
companies, and there is no contractual agreement or stated policy for charging to individual Group entities, the
assets and liabilities are fully accounted for within the financial statements of Northern Powergrid Holdings
Company.
Detailed information on the Northern Powergrid pension schemes is available in the Northern Powergrid
Holdings Company financial statements, available from Lloyds Court, 78 Grey Street, Newcastle upon Tyne,
Tyne and Wear, NE1 6AF.
Page 74
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2021 (continued)
27 Reconciliation of liabilities arising from financing activities
At 1 January
2021
£ 000
Financing
cash flows
£ 000
Other changes
£ 000
At 31
December
2021
£ 000
Borrowings
(1,136,234) - (670) (1,136,904)
Lease liabilities (8,387) 2,741 (3,168) (8,814)
(1,144,621) 2,741 (3,838) (1,145,718)
At 1 January
2020
£ 000
Financing
cash flows
£ 000
Other changes
£ 000
At 31
December
2020
£ 000
Borrowings
(1,353,262) 200,000 17,028 (1,136,234)
Lease liabilities
(7,203) 2,440 (3,624) (8,387)
(1,360,465) 202,440 13,404 (1,144,621)
Other changes relate to amortisation of financing fees, discounts and new leases entered into.
Page 75
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2021 (continued)
28 Classification of financial and non-financial assets and financial and non-financial liabilities
The classification of financial assets and financial liabilities by accounting categorisation for the period ending
31 December 2021 was as follows:
Financial
assets at
amortised cost
£ 000
Financial
liabilities at
amortised cost
£ 000
Non-financial
assets &
liabilities
£ 000
Assets
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment
- - 3,731,005
Right of use assets
- - 8,582
Intangible assets - - 44
- - 3,739,631
Current assets
Inventories
- - 488
Trade and other receivables
73,519 - -
Income tax asset
1,205 - -
Cash and cash equivalents 114,001 - -
188,725 - 488
Total assets
188,725 - 3,740,119
Liabilities
Non-current liabilities
Long term lease liabilities
- (6,422) -
Loans and borrowings
- (968,698) -
Provisions
- - (555)
Deferred revenue
- (837,447) -
Deferred tax liabilities - - (178,145)
- (1,812,567) (178,700)
Current liabilities
Current portion of long term lease liabilities
- (2,392) -
Trade and other payables
- (101,668) -
Loans and borrowings
- (168,206) -
Deferred revenue
- (35,859) -
Provisions - - (1,529)
- (308,125) (1,529)
Total liabilities
- (2,120,692) (180,229)
Page 76
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2021 (continued)
28 Classification of financial and non-financial assets and financial and non-financial liabilities
(continued)
The classification of financial assets and financial liabilities by accounting categorisation for the period ending
31 December 2020 was as follows:
Financial
assets at
amortised cost
£ 000
Financial
liabilities at
amortised cost
£ 000
Non-financial
assets &
liabilities
£ 000
Assets
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment
- - 3,581,134
Right of use assets
- - 8,209
Intangible assets - - 85
- - 3,589,428
Current assets
Inventories
- - 640
Trade and other receivables
68,509 - -
Income tax asset
1,501 - -
Cash and cash equivalents 134,243 - -
204,253 - 640
Total assets
204,253 3,590,068
Liabilities
Non-current liabilities
Long term lease liabilities
- (6,230) -
Loans and borrowings
- (1,119,024) -
Provisions
- - (555)
Deferred revenue
- (825,756) -
Deferred tax liabilities - - (138,320)
- (1,951,010) (138,875)
Current liabilities
Current portion of long term lease liabilities
- (2,157) -
Trade and other payables
- (88,539) -
Loans and borrowings
- (17,210) -
Deferred revenue
- (34,099) -
Provisions - - (936)
- (142,005) (936)
Total liabilities
- (2,093,015) (139,811)
Page 77
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2021 (continued)
29 Financial risk review
This note presents information about the Company’s exposure to financial risks and the company’s management
of capital.
Capital management
The Group manages its capital centrally to ensure that entities in the Group will be able to continue as going
concerns while maximising the return to stakeholders through the optimisation of the debt and equity balance.
The Group’s overall strategy remains unchanged from 2020.
The covenants associated with the 2035 bonds issued by Northern Electric Finance plc, a wholly-owned
subsidiary of the Company, include restrictions on the issuance of new indebtedness and the making of
distributions dependent on the scale of the ratio of Senior Total Net Debt to Regulatory Asset Value (“RAV”).
The definition of Senior Total Net Debt excludes any subordinated debt and any debt incurred on a non-recourse
basis. In addition, it excludes interest payable, any fair value adjustments and unamortised issue costs.
The Company's Senior Total Net Debt as of 31 December 2021 totalled £1,017.0 million. Using the RAV value
as at March 2022, as outlined by Ofgem in its electricity distribution price control financial model published in
November 2021, and adjusting for the effects of movements in the value of the Retail Price Index gives an
approximation for the RAV value as of 31 March 2022 of £2,102.7 million. The Senior Total Net Debt to RAV
ratio for the Company is therefore estimated at 48.4% (2020: 50.8%).
During the year all obligations under the various debt covenants have been complied with.
Credit risk
Credit risk refers to the risk that a counterparty will default on its contractual obligations resulting in financial
loss to the Company. The Company has adopted a policy of only dealing with creditworthy counterparties. The
Company's exposure and the credit ratings of its counterparties are continuously monitored and the aggregate
value of transactions concluded is spread amongst approved counterparties. The carrying amount of financial
assets recorded in the financial statements, which is net of impairment losses, represents the Company's
maximum exposure to credit risk as no collateral or other credit enhancements are held.
The Company's income is primarily generated from use of system revenue from electricity suppliers; suppliers
are credit checked by independent ratings agencies. Impaired income from DUoS will be recovered in future
periods through system charges and is therefore of no material risk to the Company.
2021 Notes
Gross carrying
amount
£ 000
Loss allowance
£ 000
Net carrying
amount
£ 000
Trade and other receivables
16 80,983 (7,464) 73,519
Equity investments at FVTPL
14
2020
Trade and other receivables
16 72,347 (3,838) 68,509
Equity investments at FVTPL
14
Page 78
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2021 (continued)
29 Financial risk review (continued)
For trade receivables the Company has applied the simplified approach in IFRS 9 to measure the loss allowance
at lifetime ECL. The Company determines the expected credit losses on these items by using a provision matrix,
estimated based on historical credit loss experience based on the past due status of the debtors, adjusted as
appropriate to reflect current conditions and estimates of future economic conditions. Accordingly, the credit
risk profile of these assets is presented based on their past due status in terms of the provision matrix. Note 16
includes further details on the loss allowance for these assets.
The carrying amount of the Company’s financial assets at FVTPL as disclosed in note 28 best represents their
respective maximum exposure to credit risk. The Company holds no collateral over any of these balances.
Liquidity risk
Ultimate responsibility of liquidity risk management rests with the board of directors, which has established an
appropriate liquidity risk management framework for the management of the Company's short, medium, and
long-term funding and liquidity management requirements. The Company manages liquidity by maintaining
adequate reserves, banking facilities and reserve borrowing facilities, by continuously monitoring forecast and
actual cash flows, and by matching the maturity profiles of financial assets and liabilities.
The Company has access to £100 million revolving credit facility provided by Barclays Bank plc, Lloyds Bank
plc, HSBC UK Bank plc and Royal Bank of Canada. The Company entered into a new Facility Agreement in
December 2021 for a period of three years, with two 1 year extension options. In addition, the Company has
access to further short-term borrowing facilities provided by YEG and to a £19.0 million overdraft facility
provided by Lloyds Bank plc, which is reviewed annually, these borrowings are repayable on demand.
At 31 December 2021, the Company had available £119.0 million (2020: £94.0 million) of undrawn committed
borrowing facilities in respect of which all conditions precedent had been met.
Market risk
The Company's activities do not expose it to significant financial risks of changes in foreign currency exchange
rates and interest rates. Short-term loans and inter-company short term loans are charged at a floating rate of
interest based on Sonia plus a margin of 0.20% plus a credit adjustment spread, thus exposing the Company to
cash flow interest rate risk. A 1% movement in interest rates would not subject the Company to any change in
interest for the year. This is considered an acceptable level of risk. All other loans are at fixed interest rates and
expose the Company to fair value interest rate risk.
30 Related party transactions
Summary of transactions with joint ventures
Vehicle Lease and Service Limited is a joint venture of Northern Electric plc and provides vehicle fleet and
servicing for the Northern Powergrid Group. Income constitutes recharges for use of management personnel and
purchases are lease and servicing payments for fleet vehicles.
Summary of transactions with other related parties
Other subsidiaries of the Northern Powergrid Group. Included within these amounts are:
- Integrated Utility Services and Integrated Utility Services (Eire) that provide engineering contracting resource;
- Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc that provides and receives mutual support through use of staff and
resources which are then recharged;
- Northern Powergrid Metering that is recharged for the use of staff;
- Northern Powergrid Holdings Company that provides loan financing; and
- Yorkshire Electricity Group plc that operates the group intercompany treasury account.
Page 79
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2021 (continued)
30 Related party transactions (continued)
Transaction with related parties
2021
Sales to
£ 000
Purchases from
£ 000
Amounts owed
(to)/from
£ 000
Northern Powergrid (Northeast) plc
10,548 24,358 -
Northern Powergrid Metering Limited
663 - -
Integrated Utility Services (Eire)
- 427 (37)
Integrated Utility Services Limited
81 3,935 -
Northern Electric plc
- 1,992 -
Vehicle Lease and Service Limited 52 4,987 -
11,344 35,699 (37)
2020
Sales to
£ 000
Purchases from
£ 000
Amounts owed
(to)/from
£ 000
Northern Powergrid (Northeast) plc
10,522 22,961 -
Northern Powergrid Metering Limited
609 - -
Integrated Utility Services (Eire)
- 383 (317)
Integrated Utility Services Limited
107 4,228 -
Northern Electric plc
- 2,494 -
Vehicle Lease and Service Limited 63 4,660 -
11,301 34,726 (317)
Loans from related parties
2021
Parent
£ 000
At start of period
133,985
Repaid (19,987)
At end of period
113,998
2020
Parent
£ 000
At start of period
413,675
Advanced
18,912
Repaid (298,602)
At end of period
133,985
The loans with the parent are part of a group cashpooling arrangement presented within cash and cash
equivalents (Note 17).
Page 80
Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2021 (continued)
31 Parent and ultimate parent undertaking
The Company's immediate parent is Yorkshire Electricity Group plc.
The ultimate parent is Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. These financial statements are available upon request from
3555 Farnam Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68131.
The ultimate controlling party is Berkshire Hathaway, Inc.
Relationship between entity and parents
The parent of the largest group in which these financial statements are consolidated and the ultimate controlling
party is Berkshire Hathaway, Inc, incorporated in United States.
The address of Berkshire Hathaway, Inc is:
3555 Farnam Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68131.
The parent of the smallest group in which these financial statements are consolidated is Northern Powergrid
Holdings Company, incorporated in United Kingdom.
The address of Northern Powergrid Holdings Company is:
Lloyds Court, 78 Grey Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 6AF.
Page 81