PART IIN.I.ELECTRICITY SUPPLY

Provisions with respect to supply generallyN.I.

Regulations relating to supply and safetyN.I.

32.—(1) Regulations may make such provision as the Department thinks fit for the purpose of—

(a)securing that supplies of electricity are regular and efficient;

(b)protecting the public from dangers arising from the generation, transmission [F1, distribution] or supply of electricity, from the use of electricity supplied or from the installation, maintenance or use of any electric line or electrical plant; and

(c)without prejudice to the generality of sub-paragraph (b), eliminating or reducing the risks of personal injury, or damage to property or interference with its use, arising as mentioned in that sub-paragraph.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (1), regulations under this Article may—

(a)prohibit the [F2distribution] or transmission of electricity except by means of a system approved by the Department;

(b)make provision requiring notice in the prescribed form to be given to the Department, in such cases as may be specified in the regulations, of accidents and of failures of [F3in the distribution or transmission] of electricity;

(c)[F4make provision as to the keeping, by electricity distributors or persons authorised by a licence or exemption to participate in the transmission of electricity, of maps, plans and sections as to their productions (on payment if so required of a reasonable fee) for inspection or copying;]

[F5(d)make provision for relieving electricity distributors from any duty under Article 19 or for authorising them to disconnect any premises or distribution system in such cases as may be prescribed;]

(e)make provision requiring compliance with notices given by the Department specifying action to be taken in relation to any electric line or electrical plant, or any electrical appliance under the control of a consumer, for the purpose of—

(i)preventing or ending a breach of regulations under this Article; or

(ii)eliminating or reducing a risk of personal injury or damage to property or interference with its use;

(f)provide for particular requirements of the regulations to be deemed to be complied with in the case of any electric line or electrical plant complying with specified standards or requirements;

(g)provide for the granting of exemptions from any requirement of the regulations for such periods as may be determined by or under the regulations;

(h)provide for references in the regulations to any specified document to operate as references to that document as revised or re-issued from time to time.

(3) Regulations under this Article may provide that any person—

(a)who contravenes any specified provision of the regulations; or

(b)who does so in specified circumstances,

shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale; but nothing in this paragraph shall affect any liability of any such person to pay compensation in respect of any damage or injury which may have been caused by the contravention.

(4) No proceedings shall be instituted in respect of an offence under the regulations except by or on behalf of the Department or the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland.

F3Words in art. 32(2)(b) substituted (1.11.2007) by Electricity Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (S.R. 2007/321), regs. 1(2), 11(1), Sch. 2 para. 5(c) (with transitional provisions in Pt. IV)

F4Words in art. 32(2)(c) substituted (1.11.2007) by Electricity Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (S.R. 2007/321), regs. 1(2), 11(1), Sch. 2 para. 5(d) (with transitional provisions in Pt. IV)