The Energy Bills Discount Scheme (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2023

CHAPTER 3 N.I. Basic terms of the scheme

Scheme periods N.I.

6.—(1) The first scheme period is the period which begins with 1st April 2023 and ends with 30th September 2023.

(2) The second scheme period is the period which begins with 1st October 2023 and ends with 31st March 2024.

Commencement Information

I1 Reg. 6 in force at 26.4.2023, see reg. 1(1)

Government supported price and maximum discount N.I.

7.—(1) The Secretary of State must, no later than the scheme introduction date, determine and publish, in respect of each scheme period, the scheme parameters for the electricity scheme and for the gas scheme.

(2) The “scheme parameters” are—

(a) a price (the “government supported price”, in p/kWh)—

(i) for general supply contracts and ETII supply contracts;

(ii) for QHS supply contracts;

(b) the amount (the “GSP decrement”, in p/kWh) of a decrease in the government supported price, to be applied in relation to ETII supply contracts;

(c) an amount (the “maximum discount”, in p/kWh) which is the maximum amount of any discount—

(i) for general supply contracts and ETII supply contracts;

(ii) for QHS supply contracts;

(d) the amount (the “MD increment”, in p/kWh) of an increase in the maximum discount, to be applied in relation to ETII supply contracts;

(e) the amount (the “minimum supply price”, in p/kWh) which is the minimum discounted supply price—

(i) for general supply contracts and ETII supply contracts;

(ii) for QHS supply contracts.

(3) The Secretary of State may, in respect of either scheme period, for the purposes of the electricity scheme or the gas scheme, revise any scheme parameter by publishing a notice that specifies—

(a) the revised scheme parameter;

(b) the date, which must not be earlier than the date of publication, with effect from which the revision is made (“revision date”);

(c) whether the revision applies in respect of—

(i) variable price contracts, flexible price contracts, fixed price contracts or DAI price contracts, and

(ii) in the case of variable price contracts, flexible price contracts or DAI price contracts, to those contracts entered into before the revision date.

(4) A revised scheme parameter—

(a) applies in respect of supply contracts entered into on or after the revision date;

(b) does not apply in respect of fixed price contracts entered into before that date;

(c) applies, where so specified under paragraph (3)(c)(ii), in respect of variable price contracts, flexible price contracts or DAI price contracts entered into before that date;

(d) does not in any case apply in respect of energy supplied under a supply contract before that date.

Commencement Information

I2 Reg. 7 in force at 26.4.2023, see reg. 1(1)