Electricity Act 1989

Consumption to be ascertained by appropriate meter E+W+S

1 (1) Where a customer of an electricity supplier is to be charged for his supply wholly or partly by reference to the quantity of electricity supplied, the supply shall be given through, and the quantity of electricity shall be ascertained by, an appropriate meter.

[F1 (2) If the electricity supplier agrees, the meter may be provided by the customer; but otherwise it shall be provided by the electricity supplier (whether by way of sale, hire or loan).

(2A) A public electricity supplier may refuse to allow one of his customers to provide a meter only if there are reasonable grounds for his refusal.]

(3) The meter shall be installed on the customer’s premises in a position determined by the electricity supplier, unless in all the circumstances it is more reasonable to place it outside those premises or in some other position.

(4) The electricity supplier may require the replacement of any meter provided and installed in accordance with sub-paragraphs (2) and (3) above where its replacement—

(a) is necessary to secure compliance with this Schedule or any regulations made under it; or

(b) is otherwise reasonable in all the circumstances;

and any replacement meter shall be provided and installed in accordance with those sub-paragraphs.

(5) If the customer refuses or fails to take his supply through an appropriate meter provided and installed in accordance with sub-paragraphs (2) and (3) above, the supplier may refuse to give or may discontinue the supply.

(6) For the purposes of this paragraph a meter is an appropriate meter for use in connection with any particular supply if it is of a pattern or construction which, having regard to the terms on which the supply is to be charged for, is particularly suitable for such use.

(7) Section 23 of this Act shall apply in relation to any dispute arising under this paragraph between a public electricity supplier and a customer as if it were a dispute arising under sections 16 to 22 of this Act.

(8) Pending the determination under section 23 of this Act of any dispute arising under this paragraph, the meter and its provision and installation shall be such as the Director may direct; and directions under this sub-paragraph may apply either in cases of particular descriptions or in particular cases.

(9) Part I of this Act shall apply as if any duty or other requirement imposed on a public electricity supplier by directions under sub-paragraph (8) above were imposed by directions under section 23 of this Act.

(10) In this Schedule “exempt supply” means a supply of electricity to any premises where—

(a) the premises are not premises used wholly or mainly for domestic purposes; or

(b) the electricity supplier or the customer is a person authorised by an exemption to supply electricity to those premises.

Textual Amendments

F1 Sch. 7 para. 1(2)(2A) substituted (1.7.1992) for para. 1(2) by Competition and Service (Utilities) Act 1992 (c. 43), s. 56(6), Sch. 1 para.16; Commencement Order No. 1 made on 29.5.1992, art. 3, Sch. Pt.I