PART 2Amendments to the Electricity Act 1989

Amendment to section 4 (prohibition on unlicensed supply etc)4

1

Section 45 (prohibition on unlicensed supply etc) is amended as follows.

2

In subsection (1)—

a

omit the word “or” after paragraph (c); and

b

after paragraph (d), insert—

; or

e

provides a smart meter communication service,

3

After subsection (3F), insert—

3G

A reference in this Part to providing a smart meter communication service is a reference to making arrangements with each domestic supplier to provide a service, for such suppliers, of communicating relevant information to and from smart meters through which electricity is supplied to domestic premises.

4

After subsection (5), insert—

6

In this section—

  • “domestic supplier” means an electricity supplier—

    1. a

      who is authorised, in accordance with the conditions of a licence, to supply electricity to domestic premises; and

    2. b

      who supplies electricity to domestic premises in accordance with that licence;

  • “external electronic communications network” means a network which—

    1. a

      is an electronic communications network, within the meaning of section 32 of the Communications Act 20036; and

    2. b

      does not form part of a smart meter;

  • “relevant information” means information relating to the supply of electricity; and

  • “smart meter” means—

    1. a

      an electricity meter which can send and receive information using an external electronic communications network; or

    2. b

      an electricity meter and a device which is associated with or ancillary to that meter and which enables information to be sent to and received by the meter using an external electronic communications network.