The Gas and Electricity (Internal Markets) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011

Separation of existing electricity transmission licenceN.I.

90.—(1) The transmission licence held by Northern Ireland Electricity plc immediately before the date these Regulations come into operation (“the existing transmission licence”) shall have effect as if it were—

(a)a licence under Article 10(1)(b) of the Electricity Order to participate in the transmission of electricity (“the successor transmission licence”); and

(b)a licence under Article 10(1)(bb) of the Electricity Order to distribute electricity (“the successor distribution licence”),

authorising, in each case, the activities thereunder in the area specified in the existing transmission licence.

(2) Subject to paragraph (3) and subject to any modification made under paragraph (5), each condition (or part of a condition) of the existing transmission licence which—

(a)relates only to electricity transmission shall be included as a condition in the successor transmission licence;

(b)relates only to electricity distribution shall be included as a condition in the successor distribution licence;

(c)does not relate only to electricity transmission or only to electricity distribution shall be included as a condition in both the successor transmission licence and the successor distribution licence.

(3) Condition 42 (and Annex 2 to the Conditions) of the existing transmission licence shall be included as a condition in both the successor transmission licence and the successor distribution licence and shall be taken as relating to the activities authorised by both licences taken together.

(4) Where any question arises as to the effect of paragraph (2) in relation to a particular licence condition, the Authority, after consultation with Northern Ireland Electricity plc, shall determine such question and may modify the successor transmission or distribution licence accordingly.

(5) The Authority, after consultation with the Department, may by notice in writing make such incidental, consequential or transitional modifications to the terms and conditions of the successor transmission licence or the successor distribution licence as the Authority may consider necessary or expedient in connection with paragraph (1).

(6) Before making modifications under this regulation, the Authority shall consult Northern Ireland Electricity plc.

(7) The requirements of paragraphs (4) and (5) as to consultation may be satisfied by consultation before, as well as by consultation after, the coming into operation of this regulation.

(8) Where the Authority makes any modifications of the successor transmission licence or the successor distribution licence under this regulation, it—

(a)shall publish those modifications in such manner as it considers appropriate; and

(b)may publish the modified licence in such manner as it considers appropriate, either as a composite document comprising both licences or as separate documents each comprising one of the licences.

(9) The power to make modifications under this regulation may not be exercised after the end of the period of 12 months beginning with the day on which this regulation comes into operation.

(10) The Department may, prior to the date referred to in paragraph (9), and if it considers there are good reasons for doing so, extend that date by a period of no more than 12 months.

(11) Article 38(1) of the Energy Order applies in relation to the power to modify a licence under this regulation as it applies in relation to a power to amend a licence under the Electricity Order.

(12) Nothing else in this regulation prejudices the generality of any other power to modify a licence.

(13) Anything done in pursuance of the existing transmission licence, or any condition thereof, in connection with the transmission or distribution by Northern Ireland Electricity plc of electricity shall be deemed to have been done in pursuance of the successor transmission licence or the successor distribution licence respectively.

(14) Each of the successor transmission licence and the successor distribution licence shall be treated as an existing electricity licence for the purposes of regulation 94.