Meaning of electricity supply and high voltage lines
179Meaning of electricity supply
(1)For the definition of “supply” in section 4(4) of the 1989 Act, substitute—
““supply”, in relation to electricity, means its supply to premises in cases where—
(a)it is conveyed to the premises wholly or partly by means of a distribution system, or
(b)(without being so conveyed) it is supplied to the premises from a substation to which it has been conveyed by means of a transmission system,
but does not include its supply to premises occupied by a licence holder for the purpose of carrying on activities which he is authorised by his licence to carry on;”.
(2)In each of the provisions specified in subsection (3) (which all refer to electricity conveyed by distribution systems), after “distribution systems” insert “or transmission systems”.
(3)Those provisions are—
(a)section 3A(1), (5)(a) and (7) of the 1989 Act (principal objectives and general duties applying to electricity regulation);
(b)section 46A(1) of that Act (investigations by the Consumer Council);
(c)section 48(1) of that Act (publication of information and advice);
(d)section 4AA(4)(a) of the Gas Act 1986 (principal objectives and general duties applying to gas regulation); and
(e)section 17(1) of the Utilities Act 2000 (c. 27) (functions of the Consumer Council).
(4)An order under section 198 for bringing into force provisions of this section may contain any such transitional provision in connection with bringing those provisions into force as the Secretary of State thinks appropriate.
(5)The transitional provision that may be included in an order under subsection (4) includes provision which has effect by reference to determinations made in accordance with that provision by a person specified in the order.
180Meaning of “high voltage line”
(1)In subsection (1) of section 64 of the 1989 Act (interpretation of Part 1), for the definitions of “high voltage line” and “low voltage line” substitute—
““high voltage line” means an electric line which—
(a)if it is in Scotland or is a relevant offshore line (as defined in subsection (1A)), is of a nominal voltage of 132 kilovolts or more; and
(b)in any other case, is of a nominal voltage of more than 132 kilovolts,
and “low voltage line” shall be construed accordingly;”.
(2)After that subsection insert—
“(1A)An electric line is a relevant offshore line for the purposes of the definition in subsection (1) of “high voltage line” if—
(a)it is in an area of the territorial sea adjacent to the United Kingdom or an area designated under section 1(7) of the Continental Shelf Act 1964; and
(b)it is used—
(i)to convey electricity to a place in Scotland; or
(ii)to convey, to any other place, electricity generated by a generating station that is situated in an area mentioned in paragraph (a).”