PART IIELECTRICITY SUPPLY

Modification of licences

F1Modification of conditions of licences14.

(1)

The Authority may make modifications of—

(a)

the conditions of a particular licence;

(b)

the standard conditions of licences of any type mentioned in Article 10(1).

(2)

Before making any modifications under this Article, the Authority must give notice—

(a)

stating that it proposes to make modifications;

(b)

setting out the proposed modifications and their effect;

(c)

stating the reasons why it proposes to make the modifications; and

(d)

specifying the time within which representations with respect to the proposed modifications may be made.

(3)

The time specified by virtue of paragraph (2)(d) may not be less than 28 days from the date of the publication of the notice.

(4)

A notice under paragraph (2) must be given—

(a)

by publishing the notice in such manner as the Authority considers appropriate for the purpose of bringing the notice to the attention of persons likely to be affected by the making of the modifications, and

(b)

by sending a copy of the notice to—

(i)

each relevant licence holder,

(ii)

the Department, and

(iii)

the General Consumer Council for Northern Ireland.

(5)

The Authority must consider any representations which are duly made.

(6)

If, within the time specified by virtue of paragraph (2)(d), the Department directs the Authority not to make any modification, the Authority shall comply with the direction.

(7)

Paragraphs (8) to (10) apply where, having complied with paragraphs (2) to (5), the Authority decides to proceed with the making of modifications of the conditions of any licence under this Article.

(8)

The Authority must—

(a)

publish the decision and the modifications in such manner as it considers appropriate for the purpose of bringing them to the attention of persons likely to be affected by the making of the modifications;

(b)

state the effect of the modifications;

(c)

state how it has taken account of any representations duly made; and

(d)

state the reason for any differences between the modifications and those set out in the notice by virtue of paragraph (2)(b).

(9)

Each modification has effect from the date specified by the Authority in relation to that modification (subject to the giving of a direction under paragraph 2 of Schedule 5A).

(10)

The date specified by virtue of paragraph (9) may not be less than 56 days from the publication of the decision to proceed with the making of modifications under this Article.

(11)

In this Article “relevant licence holder”—

(a)

in relation to the modification of standard conditions of licences of any type, means the holder of a licence of that type—

(i)

which is to be modified by the inclusion of any new standard condition, or

(ii)

which includes any standard conditions to which the modifications relate which are in effect at the time specified by virtue of paragraph (2)(d); or

(b)

in relation to the modification of a condition of a particular licence (other than a standard condition), means the holder of that particular licence.