The Heat Networks (Market Framework) (Great Britain) Regulations 2025

1. Introductory Text

2. PART 1 Introductory

   1. 1. Citation, commencement and extent

   2. 2. Interpretation

   3. 2A. Regulations do not apply to certain communal heat networks providing air-conditioning

   4. 3. Service of notices

3. PART 2 The Regulator

   1. 4. Specified functions to be carried out by the Secretary of State

   2. 5. Power for the Regulator to delegate functions

   3. 6. Principal objective of the Regulator

   4. 7. General duties of the Regulator

   5. 8. Interests of other utility consumers

   6. 9. Monitoring and review

   7. 10. Collecting information

   8. 11. Records

   9. 12. Publication of advice, guidance, information and list of authorised persons by the Regulator

4. PART 3 Authorisations

   1. 13. Meaning of regulated activity

   2. 14. Prohibition on carrying on a regulated activity without authorisation

   3. 15. Regulator’s regulations in relation to application for a heat network authorisation

   4. 16. Conferral of heat network authorisations

   5. 17. Temporary authorisations

   6. 18. General authorisation conditions

   7. 19. Specific authorisation conditions

   8. 20. Scope of authorisation conditions

   9. 21. Procedure for modifying general authorisation conditions

   10. 22. Procedure for modifying specific authorisation conditions

   11. 23. Modification of conditions under regulation 21 or 22: early effective date

   12. 23A. Costs of heat network administration orders: Secretary of State may modify authorisation conditions

   13. 24. Transfer of heat network authorisations

   14. 25. Review and revocation of heat network authorisations

   15. 26. Initial period

   16. 27. Deemed heat network authorisations

5. PART 3A Supply to premises

   1. 27A. Deemed contracts

6. PART 4 Enforcement of conditions and requirements

   1. 28. Orders for securing compliance

   2. 29. Procedure for final and provisional orders

   3. 30. Validity and effect of orders

   4. 31. Imposition of a penalty

   5. 32. Requirement to publish statement of policy with respect to penalties

   6. 33. Time limits on the imposition of penalties

   7. 34. Payment of interest and payment in instalments

   8. 35. Appeals against penalties

   9. 36. Recovery of penalties

   10. 37. Consumer redress orders

   11. 38. Remedial action under a consumer redress order

   12. 39. Other procedural requirements in relation to consumer redress orders

   13. 40. Requirement to publish statement of policy with respect to consumer redress orders

   14. 41. Time limits for making consumer redress orders

   15. 42. Enforcement of consumer redress orders

   16. 43. Appeals against consumer redress orders

   17. 44. Consumer redress orders: miscellaneous

   18. 45. Maximum amount of penalty or compensation

   19. 46. Functions with respect to competition

   20. 47. Procedure for concurrent exercise of functions

7. PART 5 Investigation

   1. 48. Powers to require information, etc.

   2. 49. Inspections

8. PART 6 Consumer protection

   1. CHAPTER 1 Standards of performance

      1. 50. Standards of performance in individual cases

      2. 51. Standards of performance in individual cases: disputes

      3. 52. Overall standards of performance

      4. 53. Procedure for establishing standards of performance

   2. CHAPTER 2 Consumer advocacy and redress schemes

      1. 54. Application of Part 1 of the Consumers, Estate Agents and Redress Act 2007 with modifications

      2. 55. Certain documents to be sent to Citizens Advice and Consumer Scotland

      3. 56. Application of Part 2 of the Consumers, Estate Agents and Redress Act 2007 with modifications

9. PART 7 Financial arrangements

   1. 57. Expenses relating to consumer advocacy and advice

   2. 58. Directions to the Regulator relating to expenses under regulation 57

   3. 59. Payment into Consolidated Fund

10. PART 7A Special administration regime

    1. 59A. Interpretation of Part 7A

    2. 59B. Heat network administration orders

    3. 59C. Objectives of heat network administration order

    4. 59D. Heat network administration orders: application of certain provisions of Energy Act 2004

11. PART 8 Offences

    1. 60. Carrying on a regulated activity without authorisation

    2. 61. Failure to provide information in response to a notice

    3. 62. Provision of false or misleading information

    4. 63. Obstructing inspection

    5. 64. Impersonation of person entitled to entry

    6. 65. Corporate liability

    7. 66. Scottish partnerships

12. PART 9 Provision in relation to licensing authority in Scotland

    1. 67. Designation of licensing authority in Scotland

    2. 68. Part 1 of the Heat Networks (Scotland) Act 2021 amended

13. PART 10 Review

    1. 69. Review

14. Signature

15. 1. SCHEDULE 1

       Service of notices, etc. by the Regulator

       1. 1. Any notice or other document required or authorised to be...

       2. 2. For the purposes of this Schedule, the principal office of...

       3. 3. A notice or other document which is given or served...

       4. 4. This Schedule does not apply to any document in relation...

       5. 5. In this Schedule— “secretary”, in relation to a local authority...

    2. SCHEDULE 2

       Inspections

       1. 1. An authorised officer may conduct an inspection.

       2. 2. An authorised person in relation to which an inspection is...

       3. 3. The authorised officer may— (a) at any reasonable time enter...

       4. 4. The authorised officer must— (a) produce proof of the authorised...

       5. 5. Where under paragraph 3(e) an authorised officer removes any document,...

       6. 6. In this Schedule, “inspection” means any activity carried out (including...

16. Explanatory Note