The Heat Network (Metering and Billing) (Amendment) Regulations 2015

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations correct errors in the Heat Network (Metering and Billing) Regulations 2014(1) (“the 2014 Regulations”). They also amend the date by which a heat supplier must submit a notification under regulation 3(1) of the 2014 Regulations.

The 2014 Regulations transposed Articles 9(1) and (3), 10 and 11 of Directive 2012/27/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council on energy efficiency amending Directives 2009/125/EC and 2010/30/EU and repealing Directives 2004/8/EC and 2006/32/EC(2).

Regulation 3 amends regulation 3(2) of the 2014 Regulations so that heat suppliers must comply with the duty in regulation 3(1) by 31st December 2015, or on or before the first day of operation for a district heat network or communal heating which commences operation after 31st December 2015.

Regulations 4, 5, 6, 7(1), 8 and 9 amend the 2014 Regulations to clarify the meters and heat cost allocators referred to.

Regulation 7(2) clarifies the point in time at which the “value of the building” in regulation 7(4)(b) of the 2014 Regulations is to be calculated.

Regulation 10 amends the description of the maximum penalty following summary conviction for an offence listed in regulation 13(1) of the 2014 Regulations. Regulation 11 amends regulation 14(1) of the 2014 Regulations so that the time limit for prosecution of offences only applies in respect of a summary offence. Regulation 12 describes the Directive referred to in regulation 15(2) of the 2014 Regulations.

A full regulatory impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no impact on the costs of business, the voluntary sector or the public sector is foreseen.

(1)

S.I. 2014/3120.

(2)

OJ No. L315, 14.11.2012, p.1.