Energy Act 2011

19 Power to modify energy supply licences to require provision of information

(1) The Secretary of State may modify—

(a) a condition of a particular licence under section 7A(1) of the Gas Act 1986 (gas supply licences);

(b) the standard conditions incorporated in licences under that provision by virtue of section 8 of that Act;

(c) a condition of a particular licence under section 6(1)(d) of the Electricity Act 1989 (electricity supply licences);

(d) the standard conditions incorporated in licences under that provision by virtue of section 8A of that Act;

(e) a document maintained in accordance with the conditions of licences under section 7A(1) of the Gas Act 1986 or section 6(1)(d) of the Electricity Act 1989 or an agreement that gives effect to a document so maintained.

(2) The power under subsection (1) may be exercised for one or both of the following two purposes only.

(3) The first purpose is the purpose of requiring, at specified times, the holder of the licence to provide bill payers with specified information in connection with their green deal plans.

(4) The second purpose is the purpose of requiring the holder of the licence to disclose on request specified information about the payment of energy bills by a person who is, or is to be, the bill payer for a property in respect of which there is, or is proposed to be, a green deal plan.

(5) The only persons to whom the licence holder may be required to disclose information by virtue of subsection (4) are—

(a) where there is a green deal plan, the green deal provider under the plan;

(b) where there is proposed to be a green deal plan, a person who is authorised under the framework regulations to act as a green deal provider.

(6) The licence holder may be required to disclose the information requested only where—

(a) the green deal provider or authorised person states that the request is made for purposes connected with the green deal plan or proposed green deal plan,

(b) the green deal provider or authorised person provides evidence that the bill payer has consented to—

(i) disclosure of the information to that provider or person for those purposes, and

(ii) onward disclosure of the disclosed information to and by other persons for those purposes,

(c) the information relates to a time within the 5 years immediately preceding the request, and

(d) the licence holder has the information.

(7) The power under subsection (1) may be exercised so as to require information to be provided in a specified manner or form, or subject to specified requirements or restrictions.

(8) Conditions included in a licence under section 7A(1) of the Gas Act 1986 by virtue of the power under subsection (1) and the purpose mentioned in subsection (4) may do any of the things authorised by section 7B(5)(a)(i) or (iii) of that Act (which applies to the power of the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority with respect to licence conditions under section 7B(4)(a)).

(9) Conditions included in a licence under section 6(1)(d) of the Electricity Act 1989 by virtue of the power under subsection (1) and the purpose mentioned in subsection (4) may do any of the things authorised by section 7(3)(a) or (c) or (4) of that Act (which applies to the power of the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority with respect to licence conditions under section 7(1)(a)).