This webinar is the third from the Webinar Series on Implications of the Global Pandemic on Tariff Design and Utility Finances.

During this session expert panelists will discuss the following main topics:

• What are the next steps as regulators and utilities transition out of the emergency phase during the COVID-19 pandemic? 
• Energy regulators have rules under which a utility can come in for an immediate rate increase due to its inability to pay all of its bills. While this has been invoked in the past, it is a very strict measure and requires full transparency of the utility’s financial situation. How will regulators deal with the potential for multiple utilities to potentially seek this type of support, all at the same time?
• What constitutes a “fair and reasonable” rate of return during and following this global pandemic?
• How does the regulator balance the needs of the utilities with consumers?   

In Europe, regulators are adopting a “dynamic regulation” approach based on an interconnected energy system that is grounded on well-functioning markets. This type of system will function as a strong safeguard during the crisis, and will help to mitigate long-term impacts of the pandemic on consumers and the energy sector. Through their association, CEER, European energy regulators are sharing best possible scenarios for the phasing out of the transition period

The objective of this webinar series is to examine how regulators can consider the short and long-term implications of the COVID-19 global pandemic on the energy sector, with respect to tariff design and consideration of the financial status of utilities.
 
This series will discuss the practical tariff treatments that regulators can consider as the impacts of the pandemic continue to play out.  Whether the sector is unbundled or vertically integrated, all utilities are facing issues that have never been encountered before. The expert panelists will contextualize a variety of tariff-related issues and potential treatments, discussing the implications regulators should consider. For example, while deferrals on payments provide relief for consumers (which may be prudent given the massive unemployment resulting from COVID-19), utilities need to avoid being put into a situation that potentially harms their long-term economic viability.