Energy Act 1976
1976 c.76
An Act to make further provision with respect to the nation’s resources and use of energy.
[22nd November 1976]
Act not in force at Royal Assent see s. 23(2); Act wholly in force at 1.5.1977

Permanent and reserve powers for energy conservation and control

1 General control by order.
(1) The Secretary of State may by order provide for regulating or prohibiting the production, supply, acquisition or use of—
(a) any of the following substances, namely—
(i) crude liquid petroleum, natural gas and petroleum products;
(ii) any substance, whether solid, liquid or gaseous, not falling within sub-paragraph (i) above but used as fuel, whether for the propulsion of vehicles or for any other purposes;
(b) electricity.
(2) Orders under subsection (1) above regulating or prohibiting the use of any of the substances mentioned in the subsection, or of electricity, may be made at any time but only where it appears to the Secretary of State to be desirable for the purpose of conserving energy.
Subject to this, orders under the subsection may be made only when an Order in Council under section 3 of this Act is in force.
(3) When no Order in Council under section 3 is in force the Secretary of State shall before making an order under subsection (1) consult with organisations in the United Kingdom appearing to him to represent those who will be affected by the order, including both consumers and suppliers of energy, and such other organisations as he thinks appropriate.
(4) The Secretary of State may by order provide for regulating the price at which crude liquid petroleum, natural gas or petroleum products may be supplied.
This power is exercisable at any time in the case of petroleum products, but otherwise is exercisable only when an Order in Council under section 3 is in force.

2 Reserve power to control by government directions.
(1) When an Order in Council under section 3 of this Act is in force the Secretary of State may give directions—
(a) to any person carrying on an undertaking in the course of which he produces any substance mentioned in section 1(1) above, as to the production and use of that substance;
(b) to any person carrying on an undertaking in the course of which he supplies any such substance, as to the supply by him of that substance; and
(c) to any person carrying on an undertaking which involves the use of any such substance, as to the use by him of that substance for the purposes of the undertaking.
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1) above—
(a) a direction under subsection (1)(a) may prohibit or restrict the use of any material for the production of a substance mentioned in section 1(1) and may extend to the disposal of stocks of such a substance or of any such material;
(b) a direction under subsection (1)(b) may—
(i) prohibit or restrict the supply (anywhere in the world) of any such substance to specified persons, and
(ii) require the supply (anywhere in the world) of any such substance to specified persons in accordance with specified requirements, including, in the case of crude liquid petroleum, natural gas or petroleum products, requirements as to price; and
(c) a direction under subsection (1)(c) may prohibit or restrict the use of any substance mentioned in section 1(1) for specified purposes or during specified periods.
(3) In this section “specified” means specified by the Secretary of State’s directions.
(4) This section (except subsection (2)(b)(ii) so far as it relates to requirements as to price) applies in relation to electricity as it applies in relation to the substances mentioned in section 1(1).

3 Implementation of reserve powers.
(1) Her Majesty may by Order in Council declare the powers of sections 1 and 2 above exercisable to their fullest extent because either—
(a) they are required for the implementation of obligations incumbent on the United Kingdom as a member of the European Communities or the International Energy Agency or a party to the International Energy Agreement to take emergency measures in connection with the reduction, or threatened reduction, of fuel supplies; or
(b) there exists or is imminent in the United Kingdom an actual or threatened emergency affecting fuel or electricity supplies which makes it necessary in Her Majesty’s opinion that the government should temporarily have at its disposal exceptional powers for controlling the sources and availability of energy;
and any such Order shall be laid before Parliament after it is made.
(2) An Order in Council under subsection (1) above, if made by virtue of paragraph (b) of the subsection, shall cease to be in force on the expiration of the period of 28 days beginning on the date on which it was made, unless before the end of that period it is approved by resolution of each House of Parliament.
In reckoning that period no account is to be taken of any time during which Parliament is dissolved or prorogued, or during which the House of Commons is adjourned for more than 4 days.
(3) An Order in Council under subsection (1) may in any case be revoked by a subsequent Order in Council declaring Her Majesty’s opinion that the circumstances which led to the making of the earlier Order no longer obtain.
(4) Without prejudice to subsections (2) and (3) above, an Order made by virtue of subsection (1)(b) shall cease to be in force at the end of the 12 months beginning with the date on which it was made, unless before then both Houses of Parliament have resolved that it be continued for a further period of 12 months.
(5) An Order may be continued in force under subsection (4) more than once; and on each occasion after the first that subsection applies with the substitution for the period of 12 months there specified of a period of 12 months beginning with the date on which, but for the resolutions of Parliament, the Order would have ceased to be in force.

4 Other powers.
(1) A person supplying or using a substance mentioned in section 1(1) above may, if authorised to do so by the Secretary of State by any general or special authority granted for the purpose, and while acting in accordance with that authority, disregard or fall short in discharging any obligation imposed by or under an enactment, or any contractual obligation, relating to or involving the supply or use of that substance.
This subsection has effect only at a time when there is in force an Order in Council under section 3(1).
(2) At any time when such an Order in Council is in force, the Secretary of State may grant, or enable any person to grant on his behalf, a general or special authority for the doing, during the whole or any part of the period for which the Order remains in force, of all or any of the things mentioned in Schedule 1 to this Act (relaxations of road traffic and transport law).
(3) Her Majesty may by Order in Council make provision for modifying or excluding any obligation or restriction imposed, or extending any power conferred, by or under an enactment which directly or indirectly affects the use of a substance mentioned in section 1(1).
(4) While an Order in Council is in force under section 3(1)—
(a) subsection (3) above has effect as if for “affects the use” there were substituted “affects the supply or use”; and
(b) without prejudice to the generality of the subsection, the powers under it extend to making such provision for modifying an order under section 2 of the Counter-Inflation Act 1973 as appears to Her Majesty to be necessary or expedient for the purpose of price controls under this Act.
1973 c. 9.
(5) This section applies in relation to electricity as it applies in relation to substances mentioned in section 1(1).

5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
S. 5 repealed (1.3.2000) by 1998 c. 41, s. 74(1)(3), Sch. 12 para. 2, Sch. 14 Pt. I (with s. 73); S.I. 2000/344, art. 2, Sch.

5 Sections 1 to 4: territorial application
(1) A power under sections 1 to 4 may be exercised in relation to anything which is wholly or partly situated in, or to activity wholly or partly in—
(a) the United Kingdom,
(b) the territorial sea of the United Kingdom, or
(c) an area designated under the Continental Shelf Act 1964 (c. 29).
(2) Subsection (1) is without prejudice to section 2(2)(b).
S. 5 inserted (19.1.2005) by Civil Contingencies Act 2004 (c. 36), s. 34(1), Sch. 2 para. 14; S.I. 2004/3281, art. 2(3)(4)(a)

Maintenance of fuel reserves

6 Bulk stocks of petroleum, etc.
(1) Directions under this section may be given to any person who in the course of an undertaking carried on by him produces, supplies or uses crude liquid petroleum, or petroleum products.
(2) The Secretary of State may—
(a) direct any such person to make such arrangements with respect to his United Kingdom stocks of crude liquid petroleum, or of petroleum products, as will—
(i) enable those stocks to be brought within a specified time to, and thereafter maintained at, a specified level, and
(ii) ensure that they do not fall below that level, except as may be permitted by the terms of the direction or by authority of the Secretary of State;
(b) in the case of any such person who is a substantial supplier to the United Kingdom market, direct him to create such stocks and make such arrangements with respect to them.
(3) In giving such directions, the Secretary of State shall have regard in particular to—
(a) the quantities of crude liquid petroleum, or of petroleum products, which have been supplied by the undertaking to the United Kingdom market in past periods; and
(b) the extent to which crude liquid petroleum and petroleum products produced or supplied by the undertaking are, or will be, indigenous.
“Indigenous”, in relation to crude liquid petroleum, means won under the authority of licences granted under United Kingdom legislation, and in relation to petroleum products means produced in the United Kingdom from indigenous crude.
(4) A direction given to a person under this section may require a specified portion of his stocks to be held in Northern Ireland.
(5) Before giving a direction under this section the Secretary of State shall notify the substance of the proposed direction to the person to whom he proposes to give it and shall afford him a reasonable opportunity to make representations.
(6) In this section “specified” means specified by the Secretary of State’s direction; and the Secretary of State may by order prescribe, as respects the effect of, and compliance with, directions under this section—
(a) the cases and circumstances in which stocks (in the United Kingdom or elsewhere) are to be treated, in relation to any person, as his United Kingdom stocks, and those in which a person is to be treated as a substantial supplier to the United Kingdom market;
(b) the extent to which stocks of a particular kind are to count towards compliance with a direction specifying stocks of another kind; and
(c) the method by which quantities are to be measured for different purposes.

7 Fuel stocks at power stations.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
S. 7 repealed by Electricity Act 1989 (c. 29, SIF 44:1), s. 112(3)(4), Sch. 17 para. 35(1), Sch. 18

8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
S. 8 repealed by Oil and Gas (Enterprise) Act 1982 (c. 23, SIF 86), ss. 12(2), 37(2), Sch. 4

9 Liquefaction of offshore natural gas.
(1) The Secretary of State’s consent is required for offshore natural gas to be subjected in Great Britain to any process of liquefaction which results in the production of liquid methane or ethane except where—.
(a) methane or ethane is liquefied for the purpose of enabling it to be stored;
(b) the process of liquefaction is carried out by a public gas transporter within the meaning of Part I of the Gas Act 1986; or
(c) small quantities of liquid methane or ethane are produced in the course of a gas processing operation within the meaning of section 12 of the Gas Act 1995.
S. 9(1)(a)-(c) and the immediately preceding words “except where” substituted (1.3.1996) by 1995 c. 45, s. 16(1), Sch. 4 para. 11(1); S.I. 1996/218, art. 2.
(2) The Secretary of State’s consent under subsection (1) above may be given either with reference to particular cases or by means of orders of general application.
(3) A specific consent given to any person under subsection (1) above (that is to say, a consent given to him otherwise than by an order of general application) is irrevocable and may be given for a specified period or indefinitely.
(4) Where consent under that subsection has been given by an order of general application, any person who proposes to undertake a process of liquefaction which is covered by that general consent may notify the Secretary of State of his proposal (in the manner specified in the order), whereupon subsection (3) above applies as if specific consent either unlimited in duration or, if the order so provides, for the period there specified, had been given to him for that process of liquefaction.
(5) The consent of the Secretary of State under subsection (1) above may in any case be made subject to conditions which may, in particular, be framed by reference to the description or origin of the gas.
(6) In this section— “offshore natural gas” means natural gas won under the authority of licences granted under Part I of the Petroleum Act 1998 by virtue of section 3(2)(b) of that Act, but does not include gas derived from offshore crude otherwise than as a by—product of crude stabilisation; “offshore crude” means crude liquid petroleum won under such authority; “crude stabilisation” means the treating of offshore crude to enable it to be safely stored or transported.
Words in s. 9(6) substituted (15.2.1999) by 1998 c. 17, s. 50, Sch. 4 para. 12 (with Sch. 3 para. 5(1)); S.I. 1999/161, art. 2(1)
S. 9 substituted for sections 9–11 by Oil and Gas (Enterprise) Act 1982 (c. 23, SIF 86), s. 37(1), Sch. 3 para. 37(1)

Other measures for controlling energy sources and promoting economy

12 Disposal of gas by flaring, etc.
(1) Subject to subsection (3) below, the Secretary of State’s consent is required for natural gas to be disposed of (whether at source or elsewhere) by flaring or by releasing it unignited into the atmosphere.
(2) This section applies to all natural gas of the United Kingdom, whether obtained there or in territorial waters, or in areas designated under the Continental Shelf Act 1964, except gas conveyed through pipes to premises by a public gas transporterwithin the meaning of Part I of the Gas Act 1986
1964 c. 29.
Words in s. 12(2) substituted (E.W.S.) (1.3.1996) by 1995 c. 45, s. 16(1), Sch. 4 para. 11(2); S.I. 1996/218, art. 2.
Words substituted by virtue of Gas Act 1986 (c. 44, SIF 44:2), s. 67(1)(3), Sch. 7 para. 26(2), Sch. 8 para. 33
(3) Disposal of gas by flaring does not require consent under this section—
(a) if it is permitted under the terms of a production licence granted under United Kingdom legislation;
(b) if it is of refinery tail gas produced in refining crude liquid petroleum (and “refining” here does not include the treatment of crude for the sole purpose of enabling it to be safely stored or transported);
(c) if it is necessary in connection with the start-up or shut-down of manufacturing plant; or
(d) if it is necessary in the interests of the safety of such plant; or
(e) if it is necessary in order to comply with a requirement imposed by or under any enactment.
(4) In this section “manufacturing plant” means plant used for any of the activities referred to in any of the minimum list headings in Orders III to XIX (inclusive) of the Standard Industrial Classification.
(5) The Secretary of State’s consent under this section—
(a) may be given either with reference to particular cases or by means of orders of general application; and
(b) may in any case be made subject to conditions which may, in particular, be framed by reference to the description or origin of the gas, or the quantities to be disposed of.
This version of this provision extends to England and Wales and Scotland only; a separate version has been created for Northern Ireland only.

12 Disposal of gas by flaring, etc.
(1) Subject to subsection (3) below, the Secretary of State’s consent is required for natural gas to be disposed of (whether at source or elsewhere) by flaring or by releasing it unignited into the atmosphere.
(2) This section applies to all natural gas of the United Kingdom, whether obtained there or in territorial waters, or in areas designated under the Continental Shelf Act 1964, except gas supplied by a public gas supplier within the meaning of Part I of the Gas Act 1986
1964 c. 29.
Words substituted by Gas Act 1986 (c. 44, SIF 44:2), s. 67(1)(3), Sch. 7 para. 26(2), Sch. 8 para. 33
(3) Disposal of gas by flaring does not require consent under this section—
(a) if it is permitted under the terms of a production licence granted under United Kingdom legislation;
(b) if it is of refinery tail gas produced in refining crude liquid petroleum (and “refining” here does not include the treatment of crude for the sole purpose of enabling it to be safely stored or transported);
(c) if it is necessary in connection with the start-up or shut-down of manufacturing plant; or
(d) if it is necessary in the interests of the safety of such plant; or
(e) if it is necessary in order to comply with a requirement imposed by or under any enactment.
(4) In this section “manufacturing plant” means plant used for any of the activities referred to in any of the minimum list headings in Orders III to XIX (inclusive) of the Standard Industrial Classification.
(5) The Secretary of State’s consent under this section—
(a) may be given either with reference to particular cases or by means of orders of general application; and
(b) may in any case be made subject to conditions which may, in particular, be framed by reference to the description or origin of the gas, or the quantities to be disposed of.
This version of this provision extends to Northern Ireland only; a separate version has been created for England and Wales and Scotland only.

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S.13 repealed by Gas Act 1980 (c. 37, SIF 44:2), s. 1(4)

14 Fuelling of new and converted power stations.
(1) A person who proposes to carry out works—
(a) for the establishment of an electricity generating station to be fuelled by crude liquid petroleum, any petroleum product or natural gas; or
(b) for the conversion of an electricity generating station with a view to its being so fuelled,
shall, unless his case is one excepted by order of the Secretary of State under subsection (4), give written notice of the proposal to him.
S. 14(1) restricted by S.I. 1987/2175, art. 2
(1A) Subsection (1) is subject to section 33(1) of the Planning Act 2008 (exclusion of requirement for notice to be given of development for which development consent required).
S. 14(1A) inserted (1.3.2010) by Planning Act 2008 (c. 29), s. 241(8), Sch. 2 para. 15 (with s. 226); S.I. 2010/101, art. 2 (with art. 6)
(2) A person who proposes—
(a) to enter into contractual or other arrangements for obtaining a supply of natural gas as fuel for an electricity generating station; or
(b) to extend the duration of any such arrangements (whether made before or after the passing of this Act),
shall, unless the arrangements fall within the scope of a general authority granted by the Secretary of State by order under subsection (5), give written notice of the proposal to him.
(3) The Secretary of State may, if he thinks it expedient having regard to current energy policies, direct that a proposal notified to him under this section be not carried out, or be carried out in accordance with conditions specified in the direction.
(4) The Secretary of State may by order prescribe cases in which notice under subsection (1) above need not be given; and the cases prescribed may be those where—
(a) the plant is of less than specified capacity or is used only for specified purposes; or
(b) such other circumstances obtain as make it unnecessary in the Secretary of State’s opinion for him to be given notice under the subsection.
(5) The Secretary of State may by order grant authority for the purposes of subsection (2) above for fuel supply arrangements of any description specified in the order.
(6) This section does not affect section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 (which operates so as, in certain circumstances, to require the Secretary of State’s consent for power station construction etc.).
Words substituted by Electricity Act 1989 (c. 29, SIF 44:1), s. 112(1)(3), Sch. 16 para. 22, Sch. 17 para. 35(1)

15 Passenger car fuel consumption.
(1) Subject to the provisions of this section, the Secretary of State may in relation to passenger cars make orders—
(a) requiring fuel consumption to be determined by means of officially approved tests; and
(b) providing for test results, showing the consumption of different classes or descriptions of cars in standard conditions, to be recorded in official fuel economy certificates and published in the specified manner.
(2) The orders may provide—
(a) for requiring manufacturers or importers of cars to carry out officially approved tests, or to arrange for such tests to be carried out (by making available a car to officers of the Secretary of State’s department for that purpose, or otherwise);
(b) for tests to be repeated from time to time with a view to the issue, where appropriate, of amended or amplified certificates;
(c) for payment of fees in connection with testing; and
(d) for official approval to be extended to tests carried out in other countries, and for the results of such tests to be adopted, certified and published in the United Kingdom.
(3) As from a date appointed by such an order in relation to any class or description of cars—
(a) no person shall, in the course of a business, deal in or offer for sale new cars of that class or description unless the relevant official tests have been carried out;
(b) every person who issues material to the general public with a view to promoting sales of cars of that class or description (especially advertisements, technical specifications, sales brochures and the like) shall, if the material contains any statement about fuel consumption, include specified information as to the results of the relevant official tests;
(c) every manufacturer or, in the case of imported cars, importer of cars of that class or description shall secure that any manual or handbook compiled with a view to a copy of it being issued to any first purchaser of such a car includes specified information as to the results of the relevant official tests;
(d) every person who, in the course of a business, deals in or offers for sale new cars of that class or description shall make available for inspection by his customers at any place where he causes such cars to be offered for sale, or regularly transacts business with customers relating to the sale of such cars, specified information as to the results of officially approved tests on all cars which have been subjected to the tests, including not only cars which he deals in or offers for sale, but also those which he does not; and
(e) no person shall, with a view to promoting the sale of new cars of that class or description, display such a car on premises where he carries on a business unless the car has affixed to it, so as to be clearly visible to those to whom the car is displayed, a label in specified form containing specified information including—
(i) the results of the relevant official tests; and
(ii) the fact that the results of officially approved tests on other cars are available for inspection by customers.
(4) The cars about whose fuel consumption provision may be made by orders under this section are road vehicles constructed solely for carrying passengers and their effects and adapted to carry not more than 8 passengers excluding the driver.
(5) In regard to the making and administration of such orders the Secretary of State shall maintain consultation with the motor industry, that is to say with organisations representative of manufacturers, importers, distributors and retailers of cars for the United Kingdom market.
(6) Orders under this section may classify and describe cars by reference to—
(a) manufacturer, mark, serial number, trade appellation or country of origin;
(b) design and application (including passenger and baggage carrying capacity);
(c) technical characteristics (including engine size, mode of transmission and carburation system); or
(d) date of manufacture, date of issue from factory or date of importation into the United Kingdom,
or to any such combination of those matters, or of those and other similar matters, as the Secretary of State thinks best adapted to keeping the public informed about the fuel consumption of cars on the market.
(7) In this section—
(a) “relevant official tests”, in relation to any car, means the officially approved tests carried out or, as the case may be, required to be carried out (pursuant to orders under this section) on cars of that class or description; and
(b) “specified” means specified by such orders;
and the orders may specify the cases in which a car is to be regarded as a new car and those in which a person is, or is not, to be regarded as one who deals in new cars.
S. 15 functions of Secretary of State now exercisable by Minister of Transport: S.I. 1980/1719, arts. 2, 3

Miscellaneous and general

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S. 16 repealed by Electricity Act 1989 (c. 29, SIF 44:1), s. 112(3)(4), Sch. 17 para. 35(1), Sch. 18

17 Orders and directions.
(1) Orders under this Act shall be made by statutory instrument and (except in the case of Orders in council under section 3 and orders under section 9 or 23(2)) be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.
Words substituted by Oil and Gas (Enterprise) Act 1982 (c. 23, SIF 86), s. 12(2)
(2) Powers conferred by this Act to make an order (including an Order in Council under section 4(3) or 23(4)) or give a direction include power to revoke or vary the order or direction.
(3) Powers conferred by this Act to make an order (including an Order in Council under section 4(3) or 23(4)) include power to make any incidental, supplementary or transitional provision which appears to the Secretary of State (or, as the case may be, to Her Majesty in Council) to be appropriate.
(4) An order under this Act (including an Order in Council under section 4(3)) may—
(a) apply to persons, premises or undertakings generally, or to classes of persons, premises or undertakings, or to particular persons, premises or undertakings, and may so apply either in all areas or in specified areas;
(b) provide for exempting persons, premises or undertakings (or any class of persons, premises or undertakings) from the requirements of the order either unconditionally or subject to conditions and with or without a limit in time, and for any such exemption to be varied or revoked.
(5) Where this Act confers power to give directions for any purpose, there is also power to make provision for that purpose by order applicable to all, or to any class of, persons to whom directions could be given.
(6) When an Order in Council under section 3 of this Act ceases to be in force by virtue of any provision of that section—
(a) section 38(2) of the Interpretation Act 1889 (effect of repeals) applies as if the provisions of this Act which then cease to have effect or become limited in their effect had been repealed, or repealed pro tanto, by another Act; and
1889 c. 63.
(b) the cesser does not prejudice the making of a new Order in Council under the section.

18 Administration, enforcement and offences.
(1) Schedule 2 to this Act has effect with respect to the administration and enforcement of this Act and provision made under it, including powers of obtaining information, powers of entry, consents for taking proceedings and other matters.
(2) A person commits an offence if—
(a) without reasonable excuse he contravenes or fails to comply with any provision made by this Act, or made under it by order, direction or otherwise (but subject to subsection (3) below in the case of sections . . . 9 and 12); or
Word repealed by Oil and Gas (Enterprise) Act 1982 (c. 23, SIF 86), s. 37(2), Sch. 4
(b) he wilfully obstructs any person exercising a power conferred, or performing a duty imposed, by or under this Act; or
(c) he contravenes or fails to comply with any directly applicable Community obligation specified in Schedule 3 to this Act; or
(d) in furnishing any information—
(i) in purported compliance with such a Community obligation; or
(ii) for the purposes of this Act, or of an order made or direction given under it,
or in a notice given for any of those purposes, he makes or causes to be made on his behalf a statement which he knows to be false or does not believe to be true; or
(e) he has in his possession without lawful excuse a document purporting to be one issued for the purposes of this Act, or of an order made or direction given under it, which is not such a document but so closely resembles it as to be calculated to deceive.
(3) In respect of contraventions of, or failure to comply with—
(a) any provision made by section . . . 9 or 12 of this Act; or
(b) any condition of a consent given by the Secretary of State or the British Gas Corporation thereunder,
Words repealed (E.W.S.) by Gas Act 1986 (c. 44, SIF 44:2), s. 67(3)(4), Sch. 8 para. 17, Sch. 9 Pt. I
criminal proceedings do not lie; but this is without prejudice to other methods of obtaining compliance with statutory obligations.
(4) Where an offence under this Act committed by a body corporate is proved to have been committed with the consent or connivance of, or to be attributable to any neglect on the part of, any director, manager, secretary or other similar officer of a body corporate, or any person who was purporting to act in any such capacity, he as well as the body corporate is guilty of that offence and liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.
(5) Where the affairs of a body corporate are managed by its members, subsection (4) applies in relation to the acts and defaults of a member in connection with his functions of management as if he were a director of the body corporate.

19 Penalties.
(1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3) below, a person guilty of an offence under this Act is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not more than level 5 on the standard scale
Words substituted by virtue of (E. W.) Criminal Justice Act 1982 (c. 48, SIF 39:1), ss. 38, 46 and (S.) Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975 (c. 21, SIF 39:1), ss. 289F, 289G and (N.I.) S.I. 1984/703 (N.I. 3), art. 5
(2) In the case of a contravention of, or failure to comply with—
(a) price controls; or
(b) section 14(1) or (2); or
(c) a direction of the Secretary of State given under section 6, 7 or 14(3),
the person guilty is liable either as provided in subsection (1) or on conviction on indictment to a fine.
(3) In the case of a contravention of, or failure to comply with—
(a) a direction under section 2; or
(b) a provision of an order under this Act to which this subsection has been applied in accordance with subsection (4) below,
and in the case of an offence under section 18(2)(d) or (e), the person guilty is liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term of not more than three months, or to a fine of not more than £400 or both, or on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for a term of not more than two years or to a fine, or both.
(4) An order under section 1 of this Act made at a time when there is in force an Order in Council under section 3 may apply the higher penalties of subsection (3) above to a contravention of, or failure to comply with, particular provisions of the order committed at a time when such an Order in Council is in force; and those penalties then apply in place of those provided by subsections (1) and (2).

20 Financial provision.
(1) Any administrative expenses incurred by a government department in consequence of this Act shall be paid out of money provided by Parliament.
(2) Fees received by the Secretary of State under section 15 shall be paid into the Consolidated Fund.

21 Interpretation.
In this Act—
“enactment” includes an enactment of the Parliament of Northern Ireland and a Measure of the Northern Ireland Assembly;
“International Energy Agency” and “International Energy Agreement” mean, respectively, the body established by the Decision of the Council of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development on 15th November 1974, and the Agreement on an International Energy Program signed at Paris on 18th November 1974;
“natural gas” means any gas derived from natural strata;
“petroleum products” means the following substances produced directly or indirectly from crude, that is to say, fuels, lubricants, bitumen, wax, industrial spirits and any wide-range substance (meaning a substance whose final boiling point at normal atmospheric pressure is more than 50°C higher than its initial boiling point);
“price controls” means orders under section 1(4) of this Act and directions under section 2 imposing requirements as to price;
“Standard Industrial Classification” has the meaning assigned to it by section 6(2) of the the Industry Act 1972the Industrial Development Act 1982
“Standard Industrial Classification” means the revised edition published by Her Majesty’s Stationery Office in 1968 of the publication of that name prepared by the Central Statistical Office of the Chancellor of the Exchequer;
“undertaking” includes a business, and also any activity carried on by a body of persons, whether corporate or unincorporate; and
“United Kingdom legislation” includes any enactment for the time being in force in any part of the United Kingdom.
Words substituted (E.W.S.) by Co-operative Development Agency and Industrial Development Act 1984 (c. 57, SIF 64), s. 5(2), Sch. 1 Pt. II para. 2
Words substituted (N.I.) by Industrial Development Act 1982 (c. 52, SIF 64), Sch. 2 para. 14
1982 c. 52.
Words inserted by S.I. 1989/992, art. 6(4), Sch. 2 para. 2(b)

22 Repeals and savings.
The enactments specified in Part I of Schedule 4 to this Act are repealed to the extent there specified, subject to the provisions of Part II of the Schedule (savings for Northern Ireland, Channel Islands and Isle of Man) and Part III of the Schedule (continuance in force of certain orders).

23 Citation, commencement and extent.
(1) This Act may be cited as the Energy Act 1976.
(2) This Act shall come into operation on a day appointed by order of the Secretary of State, and different days may be so appointed for different provisions and for different purposes.
Power of appointment conferred by s. 23(2) fully exercised
(3) This Act, except sections 7 to 11, 13 and 14 and paragraph 5 of Schedule 2, extends to Northern Ireland.
(4) For the purpose of applying the International Energy Agreement to a territory outside the United Kingdom for whose international relations Her Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom are responsible (other than the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man), Her Majesty may by Order in Council direct that such of the provisions of this Act as are specified in the Order shall, with such exceptions, adaptations and modifications as are so specified, extend to that territory.

SCHEDULES

SCHEDULE 1 Relaxations of Road Traffic and Transport Law Permissible under Section 4(2)
Section 4(2).
1 (1) A person acting under and in accordance with a general or special authority granted by the Secretary of State under section 4(2) of this Act may use, or cause or permit the use of, any vehicle on a road as a stage carriage, an express carriage or a contract carriage—
(a) without a licence, permit, agreement or consent otherwise required; and
(b) notwithstanding that the vehicle does not comply with regulations.
(2) The regulations here referred to are those made under section 160 of the Road Traffic Act 1960 (general regulations relating to public service vehicles), or such of the regulations made under section 40 of the Road Traffic Act 1972 (construction and use of motor vehicles and their equipment) as apply to a vehicle used as mentioned in this paragraph and do not apply to a vehicle not so used.
1960 c. 16.
1972 c. 20.
This version of this provision extends to Northern Ireland only; a separate version has been created for England and Wales and Scotland only
1 (1) A person acting under and in accordance with a general or special authority granted by the Secretary of State under section 4(2) of this Act may providea local service within the meaning of the Transport Act 1985 or use any public service vehicle on a road for carrying passengers for hire or reward—
(a) without a licence, certificate,
agreement or consent otherwise required; and
(aa) without complying with the requirements of sections 6 (registration of local services outside London) and 35 (provision of local services within London under London local service licences) of the 1985 Act;
Para. 1(1)(aa) inserted by Transport Act 1985 (c. 67, SIF 126), s. 1, Sch. 1 para. 3(3)
(b) notwithstanding that the vehicle does not comply with regulations. ; and
The word “;and” and para. 1(1)(c)(d) inserted by Transport Act 1980 (c. 34, SIF 126), s. 43(1), Sch. 5 Pt. II
(c) notwithstanding that any conditions attached to any licence under ; Part II . . . of the Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981; or Part I or II of the Transport Act 1985 are not complied with; . . .
Words substituted by Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981 (c. 14, SIF 107:1), s. 88(2), Sch. 7 para. 21
Words repealed by Transport Act 1985 (c. 67, SIF 126), ss. 1, 139(3), Sch. 1 para. 3, Sch. 8
1981 c.14. (107:1)
Words inserted by Transport Act 1985 (c. 67, SIF 126), s. 1, Sch. 1 para. 3
Word repealed by Transport Act 1985 (c. 67, SIF 126), s. 139(3), Sch. 8
(d) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Para. 1(1)(d) repealed by Transport Act 1985 (c. 67, SIF 126), s. 139(3), Sch. 8
Word substituted by Transport Act 1980 (c. 34, SIF 107:1), s. 43(1), Sch. 5 Pt. II
Words substituted by virtue of Transport Act 1980 (c. 34, SIF 126), s. 43(1), Sch. 5 Pt. II and Transport Act 1985 (c.67, SIF 126), s. 1, Sch. 1 para. 3(2)
1985 c.67 (126).
(2) The regulations here referred to are those made under . . . the Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981or Part I of the Transport Act 1985 . . . , or such of the regulations made or having effect as if made under section 41 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 (construction and use of motor vehicles and their equipment) as apply to a vehicle used as mentioned in this paragraph and do not apply to a vehicle not so used.
1981 c. 14 (107:1).
1985 c.67 (126).
Words substituted by Road Traffic (Consequential Provisions) Act 1988 (c. 54, SIF 107:1), s. 4, Sch. 3 para. 17(a)
This version of this provision extends to England and Wales and Scotland only; a separate version has been created for Northern Ireland only
2 (1) A person acting under and in accordance with such an authority may—
(a) drive a passenger-carrying vehicle notwithstanding that his licence does not authorise him to do so; or
(b) cause or permit to drive any such vehicle a person whose licence does not so authorise him.
(2) In this paragraph—
“Community licence” has the same meaning as in Part III of the Road Traffic Act 1988;
“licence” means a licence under that Part or a Community licence; and
“passenger-carrying vehicle” has the same meaning as in Part IV of that Act.
Sch. 1 para. 2 substituted (1.1.1997) by S.I. 1996/1974, regs. 1(2)(b), 5, Sch. 4 para. 3
3 A person acting under and in accordance with such an authority may, to such extent and in accordance with such conditions as may be specified in the authority, act, or cause or permit another person to act, as the driver of a vehicle without complying with the requirements of section 96(1) to (6) of the Transport Act 1968 (as for the time being in force).
1968 c. 73.
4 (1) A person charged under section 143 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 with the offence of using, or causing or permitting the use, of a motor vehicle so as to contravene that section (driving uninsured) may prove as a defence that the vehicle was being used by authority of the Secretary of State under section 4(2) of this Act and that—
(a) it was at the material time the subject of insurance or security complying with Part VI of the 1988 Act; and
(b) pursuant to arrangements made by or with the Secretary of State for the purposes of section 4(2), the insurance or security is treated as extending to its use on that occasion.
Words substituted by Road Traffic (Consequential Provisions) Act 1988 (c. 54, SIF 107:1), s. 4, Sch. 3 para. 17(b)
(2) A person charged under section 165 or 170 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 with an offence of failing to produce the relevant certificate of insurance or certificate of security within the meaning of Part VI of that Act may prove as a defence that the vehicle was being used by authority of the Secretary of State under section 4(2) of this Act and that—
(a) he produced a certificate of insurance or certificate of security complying with Part VI of that Act; and
(b) pursuant to arrangements made by or with the Secretary of State for the purposes of section 4(2), the insurance or security to which the certificate relates is treated as extending to the use in question.
Words substituted by Road Traffic (Consequential Provisions) Act 1988 (c. 54, SIF 107:1), s. 4, Sch. 3 para. 17(c)

SCHEDULE 2 Administration and other matters
Section 18(1).

Power to obtain information
1 (1) Subject to the provisions of this paragraph, the Secretary of State may direct any person carrying on an undertaking—
(a) to keep such books, accounts and records relating to a substance mentioned in section 1(1) of this Act, or to electricity, as may be specified;
(b) to furnish, as and when specified, estimates, forecasts, returns and information relating to such a substance, or to electricity;
(c) to furnish, as and when specified, information and forecasts relating to the undertaking itself or its activities, including the way in which the undertaking is organised and administered and the character and extent of its operations.
(2) All the powers of this paragraph are exercisable by the Secretary of State where it appears to him expedient for the purpose of implementing obligations incumbent on the United Kingdom as a member of the European Communities or the International Energy Agency or as a party to the International Energy Agreement, and the powers conferred by paragraphs (a) and (b) of sub-paragraph (1) are also exercisable where it appears to the Secretary of State expedient for any purpose connected with the operation of this Act or the effective performance by him of his functions under it.
(3) In this paragraph “specified” means specified by the Secretary of State’s directions.
Sch. 2 paras. 1–4 amended by Electricity Act 1989 (c. 29, SIF 44:1), s. 35(7), s. 112(3), Sch. 17 para. 35(1)
Sch. 2 para. 1 amended (1.4.1992) by S.I. 1992/231(N.I. 1), art. 38(7); S.R. 1992/117, art. 3(1).

Power to call for documents
2 (1) The powers of this paragraph are exercisable—
(a) by a person authorised by or on behalf of the Secretary of State, on production (if so required) of his authorisation;
(b) for the purpose of securing compliance with any provision made by or under this Act, and of checking estimates and forecasts or verifying returns and information provided in response to directions under paragraph 1 above.
(2) The powers are—
(a) to require any person to produce for inspection, or to deliver up, any document in his possession or control which has been issued by or on the authority of the Secretary of State in connection with the administration and enforcement of this Act, or any provision made under it;
(b) to require any person with executive functions in an undertaking, or the persons carrying it on, to produce documents relating to the undertaking or its operations, and allow copies or extracts to be made from them;
(c) to require any such person, or one who has in the preceding 5 years exercised such functions, to provide further particulars as to the whereabouts, contents or subject matter of such documents.
Sch. 2 paras. 1–4 amended by Electricity Act 1989 (c. 29, SIF 44:1), s. 35(7), s. 112(3), Sch. 17 para. 35(1)
Sch. 2 para. 2 amended (1.4.1992) by S.I. 1992/231(N.I. 1), art. 38(7); S.R. 1992/117, art. 3(1).

Access to premises etc. for enforcement purposes
3 (1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2) below, a person authorised by or on behalf of the Secretary of State may for the purpose—
(a) of securing compliance with orders made and directions given by the Secretary of State under this Act;
(b) of checking estimates and forecasts or verifying returns and information provided in response to directions under paragraph 1 of this Schedule;
at all reasonable hours and on production (if so required) of his authorisation, go on any premises and there make such enquiries and inspections, and purchase or take such samples of any substance, as are allowed by the terms of his authorisation or he thinks necessary for those purposes.
(2) The powers of this paragraph are not exercisable—
(a) for the purpose only of securing compliance with orders under section 15 of this Act;
(b) except when an Order in Council under section 3 of this Act is in force, for the purpose only of securing compliance with orders under section 1(1).
(3) The reference in this paragraph to premises includes vehicles and vessels, but not any premises used only as a dwelling.
Sch. 2 paras. 1–4 amended by Electricity Act 1989 (c. 29, SIF 44:1), s. 35(7), s. 112(3), Sch. 17 para. 35(1)
Sch. 2 para. 3 amended (1.4.1992) by S.I. 1992/231(N.I. 1), art. 38(7); S.R. 1992/117, art. 3(1).

Entry with warrant
4 (1) Subject to sub-paragraph (4) below, if a justice of the peace (in Scotland a justice of the peace or a sheriff) is satisfied, on sworn information in writing submitted on behalf of the Secretary of State, that—
(a) admission to premises is reasonably required for any of the purposes mentioned in paragraph 3(1) above; and
(b) the circumstances specified in sub-paragraph (2) or, as the case may be, sub-paragraph (3) below are present,
the justice or sheriff may issue a warrant naming a person authorised by the Secretary of State and authorising that person to enter the premises, by force if necessary.
(2) If no Order in Council under section 3 of this Act is for the time being in force the circumstances in which a warrant may be issued are that either—
(a) admission to the premises has been refused after, if the case is not one of urgency, not less than seven days’ notice of the intention to enter had been given to the occupier; or
(b) application for admission would defeat the object of the entry or the premises are unoccupied.
(3) If such an Order in Council is for the time being in force the circumstances in which a warrant may be issued are that either—
(a) admission to the premises has been refused, or a refusal is apprehended, and notice of intention to apply for a warrant has been given to the occupier; or
(b) application for admission would defeat the object of the entry, or the case is one of urgency, or the premises are unoccupied or the occupier is temporarily absent.
(4) A warrant under this paragraph—
(a) is not to be issued authorising entry for the purpose only of securing compliance with orders under section 15 of this Act;
(b) except when an Order in Council under section 3 of this Act is in force, is not to be issued authorising entry for the purpose only of securing compliance with orders under section 1(1).
(5) A person entering premises under the authority of the warrant may search the premises and take possession of any documents which he finds there and which appear to him to be relevant to the purposes for which the warrant was obtained.
(6) Any documents of which possession is taken under this paragraph may be retained for a period of 3 months or, if within that period there are commenced any proceedings for an offence under this Act to which they are relevant, until the conclusion of those proceedings.
(7) If the premises are unoccupied or the occupier is temporarily absent, the person entering them under the authority of the warrant shall leave them as effectively secured against trespassers as he found them.
(8) The warrant continues in force until the end of one month beginning with the date on which it was issued.
(9) References in this paragraph to premises include vehicles and vessels, but not any premises used only as a dwelling.
Sch. 2 paras. 1–4 amended by Electricity Act 1989 (c. 29, SIF 44:1), s. 35(7), s. 112(3), Sch. 17 para. 35(1)
Sch. 2 para. 4 amended (1.4.1992) by S.I. 1992/231(N.I. 1), art. 38(7); S.R. 1992/117, art. 3(1).

Price control enforcement
5 (1) The Secretary of State may designate a local weights and measures authority for the purposes of the enforcement within its area of price controls in relation to supplies to the general public.
(2) The powers of paragraphs 2 and 3 above are also exercisable by a duly authorised officer of a designated local weights and measures authority, for the purpose of securing compliance with price controls in relation to such supplies.
(3) If a justice of the peace (in Scotland, a justice of the peace or a sheriff) is satisfied, on sworn information in writing submitted on behalf of a designated local weights and measures authority, that—
(a) admission to premises is reasonably required for that purpose; and
(b) the circumstances specified in paragraph 4(2) or, as the case may be (3) above are present,
the justice or sheriff may issue a warrant authorising a duly authorised officer of the authority (naming him) to enter the premises, by force if necessary; and paragraph 4(5) to (9) above also applies in relation to this warrant.

Proceedings
6 (1) Proceedings for an offence of contravening or failing to comply with a direction of the Secretary of State given under section 6 . . . of this Act shall be instituted only by, or with the consent of, the Secretary of State or the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Words repealed by Electricity Act 1989 (c. 29, SIF 44:1), s. 112(3)(4), Sch. 17 para. 35(1), Sch. 18
(2) Proceedings for an offence of contravening or failing to comply with price controls shall be instituted only—
(a) by or on behalf of a local weights and measures authority designated under paragraph 5 above; or
(b) by, or with the consent of, the Secretary of State or the Director of Public Prosecutions.
(3) This paragraph does not apply in Scotland.
(4) As this paragraph applies to Northern Ireland—
(a) omit the reference to a local weights and measures authority; and
(b) for the Director of Public Prosecutions substitute the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland;
...
Words in Sch. 2 para. 6(4) repealed (12.4.2010) by Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002 (c. 26), s. 87(1), Sch. 13; S.R. 2010/113, art. 2, Sch. para. 21(g)

Non-disclosure of information
7 No information obtained by virtue of this Act shall be disclosed except—
(a) with the consent of the person by whom or on whose behalf the information was given or supplied and, where applicable, of the owner of any goods, or the occupier of any premises, to which the information relates;
(b) for the purpose of the exercise of any of its functions, to a government department (including a department of the government of Northern Ireland);
(c) to any institution of the European Communities, or to the International Energy Agency, in pursuance of obligations incumbent on the United Kingdom to transmit the information or see to its transmission;
(d) in the form of statistics or otherwise, so that it cannot readily be recognised as relating to any particular person or undertaking;
(e) with a view to the institution, or otherwise for the purposes, of any criminal proceedings.
Sch. 2 paras. 7, 8 amended by Electricity Act 1989 (c. 29, SIF 44:1), s. 35(7), s. 112(3), Sch. 17 Para. 35(1)
Sch. 2 para. 7 amended (1.4.1992) by S.I. 1992/231(N.I. 1), art. 38(7); S.R. 1992/117, art. 3(1).
Sch. 2 para. 7: disclosure powers extended (14.12.2001) by 2001 c. 24, s. 17, Sch. 4 para. 15

Proof of documents
8 (1) Every document purporting to be an instrument made by any person in pursuance of this Act and to be signed by or on behalf of that person shall be received in evidence and shall until the contrary is proved be deemed to be such an instrument.
(2) Prima facie evidence of any such instrument may in any legal proceedings (including arbitrations) be given by the production of a document purporting to be certified to be a true copy of the instrument by or on behalf of the person having power to make or issue the instrument.
(3) Prima facie evidence of—
(a) any general authority granted under section 4(1) or (2) of this Act;
(b) any exemption under section 17(4)(b) relating to a class of persons, premises or undertakings; or
(c) the variation or revocation of such an authority or exemption,
may be given in any legal proceedings (including arbitrations) by the production of a copy of the London, Edinburgh or Belfast Gazette purporting to contain such an authority or exemption or (as the case may be) the variation or revocation.
Sch. 2 paras. 7, 8 amended by Electricity Act 1989 (c. 29, SIF 44:1), s. 35(7), s. 112(3), Sch. 17 Para. 35(1)
Sch. 2 para. 8 amended (1.4.1992) by S.I. 1992/231(N.I. 1), art. 38(7); S.R. 1992/117, art. 3(1).

SCHEDULE 3 Community Obligations of which Breach is Punishable under this Act
Section 18(2)(c).

The directly applicable Community obligations referred to in section 18(2)(c) of this Act are those arising under the following EEC Council Regulations (as amended from time to time), that is to say—
(a) Council Regulation (EEC) No. 1055/72 on notification of imports of crude oil and natural gas;
O.J. L120/3
(b) Council Regulation (EEC) No. 1056/72 on notification of certain investment projects;
O.J. L120/7
(c) Council Regulation (EEC) No. 293/74 on information for the purposes of Community energy policy;
O.J. L32/1
(d) Council Regulation (EEC) No. 3254/74 on notification of imports of certain petroleum products;
O.J. L349/1
(e) Council Regulation (EEC) No. 388/75 on notification of exports of crude oil and natural gas;
O.J. L45/1
and any other EEC Council Regulation made for the same or similar purposes which has been added to this Schedule by Order in Council or regulations under section 2(2) of the European Communities Act 1972.
1972 c. 68.

SCHEDULE 4 Repeals and Savings
Section 22.

Part I ENACTMENTS REPEALED
Chapter	Short Title	Extent of Repeal
1964 c. 29	The Continental Shelf Act 1964.	Section 9.
1972 c. 60.	The Gas Act 1972.	Schedule 6, paragraph 12.
1973 c. 67.	The Fuel and Electricity (Control) Act 1973.	The whole Act.
The text of Sch. 4 Pt. 1 is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.

Part II Savings for Northern Ireland, Channel Islands and Isle of Man
1 Section 4 of the Fuel and Electricity (Control) Act 1973, together with so much of that Act as is required for its interpretation, remains in force in Northern Ireland, but with the following amendments—
(a) in subsection (2), for the words “an order under section 2(1) of this Act” substitute “an Order in Council under section 3(1) of the Energy Act 1976”; and
(b) in subsection (4), for the words from “such orders” to the end substitute “price controls under the Energy Act 1976”,
and this Act shall apply for all purposes of administration and enforcement of the provisions continued in force under this paragraph as if those provisions were contained in this Act.
1973 c. 67.
2 The 1973 Act remains in force—
(a) in its application to the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, so far as it extends there for the time being by virtue of Orders in Council under section 9 of that Act; and
(b) so as to enable any such Order to be varied or revoked.

Part III Orders under 1973 Act which Continue in Force
The orders set out in this Part (which were made under powers conferred by the 1973 Act) continue in force notwithstanding the repeal of that Act.

Orders under section 2
The Fuel and Electricity (Heating) (Control) Order 1974.
The Fuel andElectricity (Heating) (Control) (Northern Ireland) Order 1975.
TheParaffin (Maximum Retail Prices) Order 1976.
TheParaffin (Maximum Retail Prices) (Amendment) Order 1976.
The above orders are to be treated for the purposes of this Act as if they had been made under section 1(1) or (as the case may be) section 1(4) of this Act, and references in this Act to powers and orders under it and similar references, are to be construed accordingly where the context permits.
S.I. 1974/2160
S.I. 1975/63
S.I. 1976/1204
S.I. 1976/1840

Order in Council under section 4(3)
The FuelControl (Modification of Enactments) (Speed Limits) Order 1973.
The Order in Council above is to be treated for the purposes of this Act as if it had been made under section 4(3) of this Act, and references in this Act to powers and orders under it, and similar references, are to be construed accordingly where the context permits.
S.I. 1973/2051

Orders in Council under section 9
The Fuel andElectricity (Control) Act 1973 (Guernsey) Order 1973.
The Fuel andElectricity (Control) Act 1973 (Isle of Man) Order 1973.
The Fuel andElectricity (Control) Act 1973 (Jersey) Order 1973.
The Interpretation Act 1889 continues to apply to the interpretation of the orders set out in this Part (other than those to which there is applied the Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954) as it applies to the interpretation of an Act of Parliament and for the purposes of section 38 of that Act the orders are deemed to be Acts of Parliament.
S.I. 1973/2053
S.I. 1973/2054
S.I. 1973/2160
1889 c. 63.
1954 c. 33 (N.I.)