Utilities Act 2000

Utilities Act 2000

2000 CHAPTER 27

Commentary on Sections

Part Iv: Amendment of the Electricity Act 1989

Sections 54 – 58 and 89 – 94: Electricity and gas performance standards

103. The existing performance standards provisions in gas differ in scope from those in electricity. The ability to set performance standards for the gas sector is also time-limited by a “sunset provision” in section 10 of the Gas Act 1995. The main purpose of these sections is to provide the Authority with powers which are not time limited, and which are the same for gas and electricity, to set standards of performance which companies should meet in dealing with consumers.

104. The scope of the existing powers is being extended to include all licensed (but not exempt) suppliers of electricity (currently only public electricity suppliers - “PES’s” - are covered); licensed distributors of electricity (PES distribution arms are covered by the current legislation); and licensed gas transporters. The provisions cover all companies which may come into direct contact with consumers, and do not distinguish between ex-PES suppliers and distributors and others. Some distribution activities, such as restoring supply after a fault, are currently subject to performance standards. The Authority will continue to be able to set such standards. In gas, similar functions are carried out by transporters, and so the powers will be extended to cover them.

105. At present, performance standards may only be set with regard to the activities of companies which affect domestic customers in gas (Gas Act 1995 section 33A) and tariff customers in electricity (section 39 of the 1989 Act). The powers are to be aligned so as to cover, in principle, all customers and potential customers in each sector.

106. In gas, the current provisions are due to lapse as a result of the “sunset section” in section 10 of the Gas Act 1995. To date, the gas regulator has not used these powers, relying instead on licence conditions to set broadly similar standards. Equivalent powers have, however been used in electricity, and section 89 provides for the continuation of the powers in the gas sector.

107. These sections set out procedural requirements that apply to the Authority in relation to the exercise of its powers to set performance standards in both the gas and electricity sectors. They require the Authority, prior to setting new performance standards, to conduct appropriate research and to consult on the basis of a notice giving the Authority's reasons for proposing the new standards.

108. One of the Act’s broader purposes is to ensure that customers should only need to have contacts with suppliers and should not have to deal with distributors or transporters. Therefore, subsection (4) of the new section 39A of the 1989 Act (inserted by section 54 of the Act) and subsection (5) of the new section 33AA of the 1986 Act (inserted by section 90 of the Act) provide for compensation from distributors or transporters to reach customers via the relevant supplier. Similarly, subsection (2)(b) of section 42A of the 1989 Act (as substituted by section 58) and subsection (2)(b) of section 33D of the 1986 Act (as substituted by section 94) provide for information about the performance of distributors or transporters against the standards to be passed to customers via suppliers.