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Electricity Act 1989
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Changes over time for: Section 4
Version Superseded: 01/10/2001
Alternative versions:
- 01/02/1991- Amendment
- 07/11/2000- Amendment
- 30/01/2001
Point in time - 01/10/2001- Amendment
- 24/08/2004- Amendment
- 01/09/2004- Amendment
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- 10/09/2024- Amendment
- 01/10/2024- Amendment
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4 Prohibition on unlicensed supply etc.E+W+S
(1)A person who—
(a)generates electricity for the purpose of giving a supply to any premises or enabling a supply to be so given;
(b)transmits electricity for that purpose; or
(c)supplies electricity to any premises,
shall be guilty of an offence unless he is authorised to do so by a licence or exemption.
(2)A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable—
(a)on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum;
(b)on conviction on indictment, to a fine.
(3)No proceedings shall be instituted in England and Wales in respect of an offence under this section except by or on behalf of the Secretary of State or the Director.
(4)In this Part, unless the context otherwise requires—
[F1“distribute”, in relation to electricity, means distribute by means of a distribution system, that is to say, a system which consists (wholly or mainly) of low voltage lines and electrical plant and is used for conveying electricity to any premises or to any other distribution system;]
“supply”, in relation to electricity, means supply through electric lines otherwise than to premises occupied by a licence holder for the purpose of carrying on the activities which he is authorised by his licence to carry on;
“transmit”, in relation to electricity, means transmit by means of a transmission system, that is to say, a system which consists (wholly or mainly) of high voltage lines and electrical plant and is used for conveying electricity from a generating station to a substation, from one generating station to another or from one substation to another.
Textual Amendments
F1S. 4(4): definition of “distribute” inserted (7.11.2000 for specified purposes, 20.12.2000 for further specified purposes and otherwiseprosp.) by 2000 c. 27, ss. 28(3)(a), 110(2); S.I. 2000/2974, art. 2, Sch. (subject to transitional provisions in arts. 3-12); S.I. 2000/3343, art. 2, Sch. (subject to transitional provisions in arts. 3-15) (as amended by S.I. 2001/1780, art. 2)
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1S. 4(1)(a)(c) excluded by S.I. 1990/193, art. 3(1)
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