The Electricity (Connection Charges) Regulations 2017

Interpretation

2.  In these Regulations—

“the Act” means the Electricity Act 1989;

“administrative expenses” means the expenses reasonably incurred by a relevant electricity distributor(1) in discharging its obligations under these Regulations;

“eligible person” has the meaning given in regulation 5;

“HV connection” means a connection to a distribution system, where the nominal voltage of the distribution system at the point of connection is more than 1kV but not more than 22kV;

“independent connection provider” means a person, other than an electricity distributor, who provides electric line or electrical plant for the purpose of making a first connection(2) or a second connection(3);

“initial contributor”, in relation to a first connection, means a person who has—

(a)

obtained the first connection; and

(b)

made a payment to an electricity distributor or to an independent connection provider in respect of first connection expenses(4);

“kV” means kilovolts;

“LV connection” means a connection to a distribution system, where the nominal voltage of the distribution system at the point of connection is not more than 1kV;

“net first connection expenses”, in relation to a second connection, means the first connection expenses, excluding—

(a)

if the second connection is a LV connection, any expenses which were incurred in providing electric line or electrical plant at a nominal voltage of more than 22kV for reinforcement works for the purpose of making the first connection; or

(b)

if the second connection is a HV connection, any expenses which were incurred in providing electric line or electrical plant at a nominal voltage of 132kV for reinforcement works for the purpose of making the first connection;

“reinforcement works” means works that add capacity to an existing distribution system;

“subsequent contributor”, in relation to a second connection, means a person who has—

(a)

obtained the second connection; and

(b)

received a demand for a reimbursement payment under regulation 7.

(2) References to a person obtaining, or who has obtained, a first connection or a second connection are to a person who has—

(a) required that connection under section 16(1) of the Act(5); or

(b) otherwise entered into an arrangement with an electricity distributor or an independent connection provider for the making of the connection.

(1)

“Relevant electricity distributor” is defined in paragraph 4(1) of Schedule 5B to the Act.

(2)

By virtue of paragraph 1(2) of Schedule 5B, a first connection is made where any electric line or electrical plant is provided for the purpose of making a connection between premises and a distribution system, or between two distribution systems.

(3)

By virtue of paragraph 1(4) of Schedule 5B, a second connection is made where any electric line or electric plant provided for the purpose of making a first connection is used for the purpose of making another connection between premises and a distribution system, or between two distribution systems.

(4)

“First connection expenses” are defined in paragraph 1(6) of Schedule 5B as ‘any expenses reasonably incurred by a person in providing any electric line or electric plant for the purpose of making the first connection’.

(5)

Section 16(1) was amended by the Utilities Act 2000 (c. 27), section 44.