These Regulations amend the Gas (Calculation of Thermal Energy) Regulations 1996 (S.I. 1996/439) to change a definition.

Regulation (EU) No 984/2013 of the European Commission of 14 October 2013 (OJ No L 273, 15.10.2013, p5) establishing a Network Code on Capacity Allocation Mechanisms in Gas Transmission Systems and supplementing Regulation (EC) No 715/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council (“CAM”), imposes obligations on member States for the purposes of establishing harmonised capacity allocation mechanisms in gas transmission systems.

These include a harmonised start and end time to the daily period over which gas transmission system operators work. This period is defined as the “gas day” in Article 3 of CAM as commencing and ending at 05:00 UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) during winter and 04:00 UTC during daylight saving. As Great Britain applies daylight saving, in effect this means the gas day must start and end at 05:00 local time throughout the year. At present, the gas day in Great Britain starts and ends at 06:00 local time. These Regulations amend regulation 2 of the Gas (Calculation of Thermal Energy) Regulations 1996 so that the definition of the gas day in those Regulations aligns with that in CAM.

The Authority has consulted with appropriate persons in relation to this proposed change. A copy of the consultation is available on the website of the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem) website (http://www.ofgem.gov.uk). A copy can also be requested from Ofgem at 9 Millbank, London, SW1P 3GE.

A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no, or no significant, impact on the private, voluntary or public sectors is foreseen.