Explanatory note
(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These regulations revoke and in part re-enact the provisions of the Electricity (Standards of Performance) Regulations 2001. They also introduce a number of changes in the standards of performance arrangements that have been consulted on by the Office of the Gas and Electricity Markets as part of the Electricity Distribution Price Control Review.
They prescribe the sum which suppliers or electricity distributors must pay to a customer by way of compensation for failure to meet specified standards of performance in respect of the services to be provided by such suppliers or distributors. The sum payable differs between domestic and non-domestic customers, and between standards.
The main changes in the new Regulations are;
separating the existing 18 hour guaranteed standard of performance for supply restoration for electricity distributors (other than in the Highlands and Islands) into two standards covering normal and severe weather conditions respectively (regulations 5 and 6);
extending the application of the guaranteed standards to all distributors (including independent distribution network operators and distribution network operators operating out of area); and
the introduction of a new schedule setting out a more comprehensive practice and procedure for determining standards of performance disputes (Schedule 2 to the Regulations).
The Electricity (Standards of Performance) Regulations 2001 and the Electricity (Standards of Performance) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations 2002 are revoked (regulation 2), subject to the transitional provisions in regulation 1.