Electricity Act 1989

[F13A The principal objective and general duties of the Secretary of State and the Authority.E+W+S

(1)The principal objective of the Secretary of State and the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority (in this Act referred to as “the Authority”) in carrying out their respective functions under this Part is to protect the interests of [F2existing and future] consumers in relation to electricity conveyed by distribution systems [F3or transmission systems] F4....

[F5(1A)Those interests of existing and future consumers are their interests taken as a whole, including—

(a)their interests in [F6the Secretary of State’s compliance with the duties in sections 1 and 4(1)(b) of the Climate Change Act 2008 (net zero target for 2050 and five-year carbon budgets)]; F7...

(b)their interests in the security of the supply of electricity to them [F8; and

(c)their interests in the fulfilment by the Authority, when carrying out its [F9designated regulatory functions], of the [F10designated regulatory objectives].]

(1B)The Secretary of State and the Authority shall carry out their respective functions under this Part in the manner which the Secretary of State or the Authority (as the case may be) considers is best calculated to further the principal objective, wherever appropriate by promoting effective competition between persons engaged in, or in commercial activities connected with, the generation, transmission, distribution or supply of electricity or the provision or use of electricity interconnectors.

(1C)Before deciding to carry out functions under this Part in a particular manner with a view to promoting competition as mentioned in subsection (1B), the Secretary of State or the Authority shall consider—

(a)to what extent the interests referred to in subsection (1) of consumers would be protected by that manner of carrying out those functions; and

(b)whether there is any other manner (whether or not it would promote competition as mentioned in subsection (1B)) in which the Secretary of State or the Authority (as the case may be) could carry out those functions which would better protect those interests.]

(2)[F11In performing the duties under subsections (1B) and (1C), the Secretary of State or the Authority shall have regard to] —

(a)the need to secure that all reasonable demands for electricity are met; and

(b)the need to secure that licence holders are able to finance the activities which are the subject of obligations imposed by or under this Part [F12, the Utilities Act 2000 [F13, Part 2 or 3 of the Energy Act 2004 [F14, Part 2 or 5 of the Energy Act 2008 or section 4, Part 2, [F15, sections 26 to 29 of the Energy Act 2010 [F16, Part 2 of the Energy Act 2013 [F17, the Nuclear Energy (Financing) Act 2022 or sections 245 to 247 of the Energy Act 2023]]]]]] [F18; and

(c)the need to contribute to the achievement of sustainable development.]

(3)In performing [F19the duties under subsections (1B), (1C) and (2)], the Secretary of State or the Authority shall have regard to the interests of—

(a)individuals who are disabled or chronically sick;

(b)individuals of pensionable age;

(c)individuals with low incomes; and

(d)individuals residing in rural areas;

but that is not to be taken as implying that regard may not be had to the interests of other descriptions of consumer.

(4)The Secretary of State and the Authority may, in carrying out any function under this Part, have regard to—

(a)the interests of consumers in relation to gas conveyed through pipes (within the meaning of the M1Gas Act 1986); and

(b)any interests of consumers in relation to—

[F20(i)communications services and electronic communications apparatus, or]

(ii)water services or sewerage services (within the meaning of the M2Water Industry Act 1991),

which are affected by the carrying out of that function.

(5)Subject to [F21subsections (1B) and] (2), [F22and to section 132(2) of the Energy Act 2013 (duty to carry out functions in manner best calculated to further delivery of policy outcomes)] the Secretary of State and the Authority shall carry out their respective functions under this Part in the manner which he or it considers is best calculated—

(a)to promote efficiency and economy on the part of persons authorised by licences or exemptions to [F23distribute, supply or participate in the transmission of] electricity[F24,] [F25to participate in the operation of electricity interconnectors] [F26or to provide a smart meter communication service] and the efficient use of electricity conveyed by distribution systems [F27or transmission systems];

(b)to protect the public from dangers arising from the generation, transmission, distribution or supply of electricity [F28or the provision of a smart meter communication service];

F29(ba). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(c)to secure a diverse and viable long-term energy supply,

[F30and F31... shall], in carrying out those functions, have regard to the effect on the environment of activities connected with the generation, transmission, distribution or supply of electricity [F28or the provision of a smart meter communication service].

[F32(5A)In carrying out their respective functions under this Part in accordance with the preceding provisions of this section the Secretary of State and the Authority must each have regard to—

(a)the principles under which regulatory activities should be transparent, accountable, proportionate, consistent and targeted only at cases in which action is needed; and

(b)any other principles appearing to him or, as the case may be, it to represent the best regulatory practice.]

[F33(5B)In subsection (1A)—

  • [F34“the designated regulatory objectives” means the objectives set out in Article 36(c) to (h) of the Electricity Directive but read with the following modifications—

    (a)

    in Article 36(c), for the words from “between” to the end substitute “ , including enabling the development of appropriate cross-border transmission capacities to meet demand; ”

    (b)

    in Article 36(d), omit “, in line with general energy policy objectives,

    (c)

    in Article 36(f), omit “and foster market integration”, and

    (d)

    in Article 36(g), for “their national market” substitute “ the energy market in Great Britain ”;]

  • F35...

  • F35...

  • F35...]

(6)In [F36subsections [F37(1C),] (3) and (4) references to consumers include] both existing and future consumers.

(7)In this section and sections 3B and 3C, references to functions of the Secretary of State or the Authority under this Part include a reference to functions under the Utilities Act 2000 which relate to electricity conveyed by distribution systems [F38or transmission systems].

(8)In this Part, unless the context otherwise requires—

  • “exemption” means an exemption granted under section 5;

  • “licence” means a licence under section 6 and “licence holder” shall be construed accordingly.]

Textual Amendments

F1S. 3A substituted for s. 3 (20.12.2000) by 2000 c. 27, s. 13; S.I. 2000/3343, art. 2, Sch. (subject to transitional provisions in arts. 3-15) (as amended by S.I. 2001/1780, art. 2)

F2Words in s. 3A(1) inserted (26.1.2009) by Energy Act 2008 (c. 32), ss. 83(2)(a), 110(2); S.I. 2009/45, art. 2(d)(i)

F3Words in s. 3A(1) inserted (1.4.2006 for specified purposes, 1.4.2010 in so far as not already in force) by Energy Act 2004 (c. 20), s. 179(2)(3)(a), 198(2); S.I. 2005/2965, art. 3

F4Words in s. 3A(1) omitted (8.6.2010) by virtue of Energy Act 2010 (c. 27), ss. 17(2), 38(3)

F5Ss. 3A(1A)-(1C) inserted (8.6.2010) by Energy Act 2010 (c. 27), ss. 17(3), 38(3)

F6Words in s. 3A(1A)(a) substituted (26.12.2023) by Energy Act 2023 (c. 52), ss. 202(5), 334(3)(f)

F11Words in s. 3A(2) substituted (8.6.2010) by Energy Act 2010 (c. 27), ss. 17(4)(a), 38(3)

F12Words in s. 3A(2)(b) substituted (24.8.2004 for specified purposes, 5.10.2004 in so far as not already in force) by Energy Act 2004 (c. 20), ss. 190(3), 198(2); S.I. 2004/2184, art. 2(1), Sch. 1; S.I. 2004/2575, art. 2(1), Sch. 1

F13Words in s. 3A(2)(b) substituted (26.11.2008) by Energy Act 2008 (c. 32), ss. 102(6), 110(2)

F14Words in s. 3A(2)(b) substituted (8.6.2010) by Energy Act 2010 (c. 27), ss. 17(4)(b), 38(3)

F15Words in s. 3A(2)(b) substituted (18.12.2013) by Energy Act 2013 (c. 32), ss. 65(1), 156(3)

F18S. 3A(2)(c) and preceding word inserted (26.1.2009) by Energy Act 2008 (c. 32), ss. 83(2)(b), 110(2); S.I. 2009/45, art. 2(d)(i)

F19Words in s. 3A(3) substituted (8.6.2010) by Energy Act 2010 (c. 27), ss. 17(5), 38(3)

F20S. 3A(4)(b)(i) substituted (25.7.2003 for specified purposes, 29.12.2003 in so far as not already in force) by Communications Act 2003 (c. 21), s. 411(2), Sch. 17 para. 98 (with Sch. 18); S.I. 2003/1900, arts. 1(2), 2(1), Sch. 1 (with art. 3) (as amended by S.I. 2003/3142, art. 1(3)); S.I. 2003/3142, art. 3(2) (with art. 11)

F21Words in s. 3A(5) substituted (8.6.2010) by Energy Act 2010 (c. 27), ss. 17(6)(a), 38(3)

F22Words in s. 3A(5) inserted (18.2.2014) by Energy Act 2013 (c. 32), ss. 138(3), 156(2)

F23Words in s. 3A(5)(a) substituted (1.9.2004) by Energy Act 2004 (c. 20), s. 198(2), Sch. 19 para. 4; S.I. 2004/2184, art. 2(2), Sch. 2

F25Words in s. 3A(5)(a) inserted (1.12.2004) by Energy Act 2004 (c. 20), ss. 147(2)(b), 198(2); S.I. 2004/2575, art. 2(2), Sch. 2

F27Words in s. 3A(5)(a) inserted (1.4.2006 for specified purposes, 1.4.2010 in so far as not already in force) by Energy Act 2004 (c. 20), s. 179(2)(3)(a), 198(2); S.I. 2005/2965, art. 3

F30Words in s. 3A(5) substituted (5.10.2004) by Energy Act 2004 (c. 20), ss. 83(b), 198(2); S.I. 2004/2575, art. 2(1), Sch. 1

F31Words in s. 3A(5) omitted (8.6.2010) by virtue of Energy Act 2010 (c. 27), ss. 17(6)(b), 38(3)

F33S. 3A(5B) inserted (8.6.2010) by Energy Act 2010 (c. 27), ss. 17(7), 38(3)

F35Words in s. 3A(5B) omitted (26.12.2023) by virtue of Energy Act 2023 (c. 52), ss. 202(6), 334(3)(f)

F36Words in s. 3A(6) substituted (26.1.2009) by Energy Act 2008 (c. 32), ss. 83(2)(d), 110(2); S.I. 2009/45, art. 2(d)(i)

F37Word in s. 3A(6) inserted (8.6.2010) by Energy Act 2010 (c. 27), ss. 17(8), 38(3)

F38Words in s. 3A(7) inserted (1.4.2006 for specified purposes, 1.4.2010 in so far as not already in force) by Energy Act 2004 (c. 20), s. 179(2)(3)(a), 198(2); S.I. 2005/2965, art. 3

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1Ss. 3A-3D applied (24.8.2004 for specified purposes, 5.10.2004 in so far as not already in force) by Energy Act 2004 (c. 20), ss. 190(2), 198(2); S.I. 2004/2184, art. 2(1), Sch. 1; S.I. 2004/2575, art. 2(1), Sch. 1

C4Ss. 3A-3D applied (26.11.2008) by Energy Act 2008 (c. 32), ss. 102(4), 110(2)

C5Ss. 3A-3D applied (8.4.2010) by Energy Act 2010 (c. 27), ss. 30(2), 38(1)

C6Ss. 3A-3D applied (18.12.2011) by Energy Act 2011 (c. 16), ss. 78(2), 121(3)

C7Ss. 3A-3D applied (18.12.2011) by Energy Act 2011 (c. 16), ss. 98(14), 121(3)

C8Ss. 3A-3D applied (21.3.2012) by Energy Act 2011 (c. 16), ss. 22(10), 121(1); S.I. 2012/873, art. 2(a)(v)

C9Ss. 3A-3D applied (18.12.2013) by Energy Act 2013 (c. 32), ss. 39, 156(3)

C10Ss. 3A-3D applied (18.2.2014) by Energy Act 2013 (c. 32), ss. 141(2), 156(2)

C11Ss. 3A-3D applied (18.2.2014) by Energy Act 2013 (c. 32), ss. 53, 156(2)

C12Ss. 3A-3D applied (18.2.2014) by Energy Act 2013 (c. 32), ss. 136(2), 156(2)

C13Ss. 3A-3D applied (23.7.2018) by Smart Meters Act 2018 (c. 14), ss. 6(13), 14(5)

C14Ss. 3A-3D applied (26.10.2023 for specified purposes, 31.1.2024 in so far as not already in force) by Energy Act 2023 (c. 52), ss. 178(2), 334(1)(2)(h); S.I. 2024/32, reg. 3(a)(viii)

Marginal Citations