UK Act of Parliament
2000
United Kingdom
Utilities Act 2000
At a glance
Enforced by
What's here
18 compliance obligations, 4 practical guides · 9 statutory instruments
Who this Act binds
Business-side actors with duties under this Act, ranked by how often they appear.
- Distributor 4
- Licence Holder 2
- Trader 2
- Any Person 1
- Contractor 1
Plus 8 non-business duties on Crown ministers, regulators, local authorities or tribunals — shown collapsed under each section below.
Relevant guidance
Practical guides for businesses affected by this Act, ordered by how closely they engage with it.
Direct — cites this Act
1 guidesSupporting — topic alignment
3 guidesOther Acts binding the same actors
For each actor bound by this Act, the other UK Acts that bind them most often. Useful for understanding the full compliance landscape facing each role.
Distributors also bound by 33 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations 2002 2002 19 duties
- Value Added Tax Regulations 1995 1995 14 duties
- UK REACH Regulation (retained EU law) 2006 11 duties
- Electricity Act 1989 1989 9 duties
- Classification, Labelling and Packaging Regulation (UK CLP) 2008 7 duties
Licence Holders also bound by 50 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Space Industry Regulations 2021 2021 50 duties
- Human Medicines Regulations 2012 2012 11 duties
- Value Added Tax Regulations 1995 1995 7 duties
- Air Navigation Order 2016 2016 5 duties
- Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 2018 5 duties
Traders also bound by 219 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Value Added Tax Regulations 1995 1995 952 duties
- TULRCA 1992 1992 39 duties
- Companies Act 2006 2006 39 duties
- Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 2013 39 duties
- The Customs (Import Duty) (EU Exit) Regulations 2018 2018 33 duties
Any Person also bound by 749 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Human Medicines Regulations 2012 2012 110 duties
- Licensing Act 2003 2003 105 duties
- Merchant Shipping Act 1995 1995 97 duties
- Road Traffic Act 1988 1988 95 duties
- Air Navigation Order 2016 2016 86 duties
Contractors also bound by 56 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 2015 360 duties
- The Income Tax (Sub-contractors in the Construction Industry) Regulations 1993 1993 19 duties
- Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000 2000 17 duties
- Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 2012 15 duties
- Work in Compressed Air Regulations 1996 1996 14 duties
What this Act requires
Sections that create concrete duties on businesses or carry penalties. Procedural and definitional sections are folded into the “Browse other sections” expander at the bottom of each group. Click any section title to read the source text on legislation.gov.uk.
Part I — New regulatory arrangements
Exercise of designated regulatory functions etc
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Ofgem must ensure staff independence and impartiality Statutory regulator
Forward work programmes.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Ofgem must publish and consult on annual forward work programmes Statutory regulator
Laying of accounts before Scottish Parliament , Senedd Cymru or the Northern Ireland Assembly
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Ofgem must submit certified accounts and reports to devolved administrations Statutory regulator
Browse 10 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Gas and Electricity Markets Authority.
Gas and Electricity Consumer Council.
Transfer to Authority ... of functions, property etc.
Information in relation to strategy and policy statement
Annual and other reports of Authority.
Duty of Authority to carry out impact assessment
Report on activities as designated regulatory authority
Publication of advice and information about consumer matters.
Co-operation between Authority and Council.
Payments by licence holders relating to new arrangements.
Part II — Objectives of regulation of gas and electricity
Browse 8 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Objectives and duties under 1986 Act.
Guidance on social and environmental matters in relation to gas.
Health and safety in relation to gas.
Exceptions from the general duties under 1986 Act.
Objectives and duties under 1989 Act.
Guidance on social and environmental matters in relation to electricity.
Health and safety in relation to electricity.
Exceptions from the general duties under 1989 Act.
Part III — Functions of the Council
Provision of information to consumers.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- The Council must publish performance and complaint stats for energy companies Statutory regulator
Browse 10 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Preliminary.
Acquisition and review of information.
Provision of advice and information to public authorities and other persons.
Power to publish advice and information about consumer matters.
Complaints.
Investigations.
Provision of information to Council.
Publication of notice of reasons.
Provision of information by Council to Authority.
Sections 24 to 26: supplementary.
Part IV — Amendment of the Electricity Act 1989
Modification of standard conditions of licences.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Ofgem must follow formal procedures to modify energy licence conditions Statutory regulator
Transfer of electricity licences.
- Obtain Ofgem consent before transferring an electricity licence Licence Holder
General duties of electricity distributors.
- Maintain an efficient network and facilitate energy competition Distributor
Standards of performance in individual cases.
- Meet electricity performance standards and pay compensation if you fall short Trader
Overall standards of performance.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Ofgem must set and publish overall performance standards for energy distributors Statutory regulator
Standards of performance: procedures.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Ofgem must consult and publish proposals before setting performance standards Statutory regulator
Orders under section 32: supplementary.
- Provide information to Ofgem regarding renewable energy obligations Distributor
Browse 39 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Prohibition on unlicensed distribution of electricity.
Exemptions from electricity licensing.
Licences authorising supply etc. of electricity.
Enactments referring to public electricity suppliers.
Electricity licence conditions.
Standard conditions of electricity licences.
Modification of conditions of particular licence.
Electricity licence modification references.
Reports on modification references.
Modification following report.
Competition Commission’s power to veto modifications.
Modification by order under other enactments.
Reasons for decisions under 1989 Act.
Altering activities requiring electricity licence.
Duty to connect on request.
Abolition of tariffs.
Power to recover expenditure.
Power to require security.
Additional terms of connection.
Special agreements with respect to connection.
The electricity code.
Amendment of Schedule 7 to 1989 Act.
Powers of electricity licence holders.
Information with respect to levels of performance.
Information to be given to customers.
Financial penalties.
Licence enforcement.
Links between directors’ remuneration and electricity service standards.
Obligation in connection with electricity from renewable sources.
Green certificates.
Alternative way of discharging renewables obligation: payments.
Abolition of fossil fuel levy.
Supplementary.
Modification of licences: electricity trading arrangements.
Help for disadvantaged groups of electricity customers.
Energy efficiency requirements for electricity distributors and suppliers.
General duties of transmission licence holders in Scotland.
Uniform prices etc. in certain areas of Scotland.
Maximum prices for reselling electricity.
Part V — Amendment of the Gas Act 1986
Transfer of gas licences.
- Obtain Ofgem consent before transferring a gas licence Licence Holder
Overall standards of performance.
- Conduct gas transportation business to meet performance standards Any Person
Standards of performance: procedures.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Ofgem must follow specific procedures before setting performance standards Statutory regulator
Standards of gas quality.
- Maintain gas quality and pressure standards Contractor
Browse 25 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Gas licence conditions.
Exceptions from section 5 of 1986 Act.
Gas transporters.
Restriction on use of certain pipe-lines for providing a supply of gas.
Construction of pipe-lines by gas transporters.
Duty to facilitate competition.
Gas transporters’ duty to make a connection.
Standard conditions of gas licences.
Modification of standard conditions of gas licences.
Modification following Competition Commission report.
The gas code.
Exemptions from gas licensing.
Reasons for decisions under 1986 Act.
Altering activities requiring gas licence.
Repeal of section 10(2) to (5) of Gas Act 1995.
Standards of performance in individual cases.
Information with respect to levels of performance.
Information to be given to customers.
Financial penalties.
Licence enforcement.
Links between directors’ remuneration and gas service standards.
Help for disadvantaged groups of gas customers.
Energy efficiency requirements for gas transporters and suppliers.
Exercise of powers to make regulations.
Maximum prices for reselling gas.
Part VI — Miscellaneous and Supplementary
Overall carbon emissions reduction targets.
Amended 20 timesOverall home-heating cost reduction targets
Amended 20 timesPower of Secretary of State and the Scottish Ministers to require information: carbon emissions reduction targets and home-heating cost reduction targets
Amended 20 times- Provide energy and carbon information upon formal notice Distributor
Specialist members of the Competition Commission.
Amended 10 timesGeneral restrictions on disclosure of information.
Amended 117 timesRestrictions on disclosure in respect of cross-border exchanges of information
Amended 117 timesInterpretation.
Amended 16 timesBrowse 4 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Schedules
Schedule to be substituted for Schedule 6 to the 1989 Act
- Do not charge disabled customers for meter adaptations Distributor
Transitional provisions and savings
- Separate your electricity supply and distribution licences Trader
Browse 6 other Schedules — structural / supplementary
Electricity metering
The Gas and Electricity Markets Authority
The Gas and Electricity Consumer Council
Further provision about transfers of functions, property etc.
Minor and consequential amendments
Repeals
Official guidance
Authoritative sources published by regulators or government explaining this legislation.
- OFG1162 Enforcement Guidelines (March 2023) (opens in a new tab) from Ofgem Detailed Guidance
- How we are regulated (opens in a new tab) Other
- Gas Supply Standard Licence Conditions (consolidated to August 2025) (opens in a new tab) from Ofgem Detailed Guidance
- List of all gas licensees including suppliers (opens in a new tab) from Ofgem Detailed Guidance
- Apply for a gas or electricity licence (England, Scotland and Wales) (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
- OFG1164 Apply for a gas or electricity licence (June 2025) (opens in a new tab) from Ofgem Detailed Guidance
- Submitting gas transporter safety cases (opens in a new tab) from HSE Detailed Guidance
- Apply for an electricity supply licence (opens in a new tab) from Ofgem Detailed Guidance
- Gas supply legislation, guidance and submitting gas transporter safety cases (opens in a new tab) from HSE Detailed Guidance
Enforcement and responsible bodies
The regulators that administer or enforce this legislation.
Office of Gas and Electricity Markets
Regulates gas and electricity markets in Great Britain. Issues licences for generation, transmission, distribution, and supply. Protects consumers and promotes competition. Also …
Connected legislation
9 statutory instruments
These instruments amend, apply, or refer to this Act. They may not all create direct business obligations.
Secondary legislation (9)
- The Electricity and Gas (Standards of Performance) (Suppliers) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2024 2024
- The Electricity and Gas (Standards of Performance) (Suppliers) (Amendment) Regulations 2019 2019
- The Electricity and Gas (Standards of Performance) (Suppliers) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 2020
- The Electricity and Gas (Standards of Performance) (Suppliers) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 2024
- The Electricity (Standards of Performance) (Amendment) Regulations 2010 2010
- The Electricity (Standards of Performance) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 2023
- The Electricity (Standards of Performance) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 2024
- The Gas and Electricity (Consumer Complaints Handling Standards) (Amendment) Regulations 2017 2017
- The Gas (Standards of Performance) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 2021
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Regulators
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