Electricity Act 1989

Valid from 16/05/2001

[F139A Standards of performance in individual cases: electricity distributors.E+W+S

(1)The Authority may with the consent of the Secretary of State make regulations prescribing such standards of performance in connection with the activities of electricity distributors, so far as affecting customers or potential customers of electricity suppliers, as in the Authority’s opinion ought to be achieved in individual cases.

(2)If an electricity distributor fails to meet a prescribed standard, he shall make to any person who is affected by the failure and is of a prescribed description such compensation as may be determined by or under the regulations.

(3)The regulations may—

(a)prescribe circumstances in which electricity distributors are to inform customers or potential customers of electricity suppliers of their rights under this section;

(b)prescribe such standards of performance in relation to any duty arising under paragraph (a) as, in the Authority’s opinion, ought to be achieved in all cases;

(c)make provision as to the manner in which compensation under this section is to be made;

(d)prescribe circumstances in which electricity distributors are to be exempted from any requirements of the regulations or this section; and

(e)if the Authority is of the opinion that the differences are such that no electricity distributor would be unduly disadvantaged in competing with other electricity distributors, make different provision with respect to different electricity distributors.

(4)Provision made under subsection (3)(c) may—

(a)require or permit compensation to be made on behalf of electricity distributors by electricity suppliers to customers or potential customers; and

(b)require electricity suppliers to provide services to electricity distributors in connection with the making of compensation under this section.

(5)The making of compensation under this section in respect of any failure to meet a prescribed standard shall not prejudice any other remedy which may be available in respect of the act or omission which constituted that failure.

(6)In this section “prescribed” means prescribed by regulations under this section.]

Textual Amendments

F1Ss. 39A, 39B inserted (16.5.2001 for certain purposes and otherwise 1.10.2001) by 2000 c. 27, s. 54(2); S.I. 2001/1781, art. 2, Sch. (subject to transitional provisions in arts. 3-10); S.I. 2001/3266, art. 2, Sch. (subject to transitional provisions in arts. 3-20)