Enterprise Act 2002

[F1 68A Relevant merger situations involving energy network mergers U.K.

(1) For the purposes of this Part, a relevant merger situation involves an energy network merger if two or more of the enterprises that cease to be distinct are energy network enterprises of the same type.

(2) For the purposes of this Part, the types of “energy network enterprise” are—

(a) an enterprise holding a licence under section 7 of the Gas Act 1986 (gas transporter);

(b) an enterprise holding a licence under section 6(1)(b) of the Electricity Act 1989 (transmission of electricity), except as mentioned in subsection (3);

(c) an enterprise holding a licence under section 6(1)(c) of the Electricity Act 1989 (distribution of electricity), except as mentioned in subsection (3).

(3) An enterprise holding a licence under section 6(1)(b) or (c) of the Electricity Act 1989 is not an energy network enterprise if—

(a) the licence was granted following a tender exercise, and

(b) either—

(i) the enterprise does not hold any other licence of a type mentioned in subsection (2), or

(ii) the enterprise holds one or more other licences under section 6(1)(b) or (c) of the Electricity Act 1989 and each of those other licences was granted following a tender exercise.

(4) The Secretary of State may by regulations amend this section by—

(a) adding to subsection (2) an enterprise holding a licence under the Gas Act 1986 or the Electricity Act 1989 of a type that is not specified in that subsection;

(b) creating an exception in relation to a type of enterprise specified in subsection (2);

(c) amending or removing an exception that applies in relation to a type of enterprise specified in subsection (2).

(5) Before making regulations under subsection (4), the Secretary of State must consult—

(a) the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority, and

(b) the CMA.

(6) In this section, “tender exercise” has the same meaning as in section 6CD of the Electricity Act 1989.]

Textual Amendments

F1 Ss. 68A-68F and cross-heading inserted (26.10.2023) by Energy Act 2023 (c. 52), s. 334(2)(j), Sch. 16 para. 2