Electricity Act 1996

This section applies in relation to the operation of a distribution network.

For the purposes of this section, a service will be taken to be contestable if a customer (or potential customer) may choose the provider of the relevant service.

The regulations may—

prescribe a class of services that are to be contestable (including a class that may be determined according to a prescribed class of customer or any other specified factor); and

specify procedures, qualifications, standards and other requirements (including requirements that provide for the preparation of specifications and the use of tenders or other competitive arrangements) that must be applied in relation to the provision of contestable services; and

require compliance with any requirement imposed by a prescribed person or body in relation to the provision of contestable services.

It is a condition of an electricity entity holding a licence authorising the operation of a distribution network that the entity must ensure compliance with any requirements imposed by regulations under subsection (3) (insofar as they apply in the circumstances).