6.2.2  Gas

The gas sector is largely privately owned. The commercial arrangements and competitive nature of the sector suggest that the risk of under-investment in maintenance is likely to be low. However, more detailed data on the condition of transmission and distribution networks, e.g. internal and external corrosion of pipes, is required.

Figure 23 shows that the risk of underspend for the energy sector as a whole is low over the foreseeable five year regulatory period.158

Figure 23: Assessment of maintenance in the energy sector

Source: GHD (2014), p. xvi

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158.  Regulatory periods are generally five years and it is difficult to make predictions beyond this period due to a lack of longer-term data.