UK Act of Parliament
2000
United Kingdom
Utilities Act 2000
At a glance
Enforced by
What's here
25 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 6
- Licence Holder 3
- Trader 2
- Any Person 1
- Contractor 1
Plus 12 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 177 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- The Marketing of Fruit Plant and Propagating Material (England) Regulations 2017 2017 28 duties
- The Marketing of Fruit Plant and Propagating Material (Wales) Regulations 2017 2017 26 duties
- The Marketing of Fruit Plant and Propagating Material Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017 2017 25 duties
- Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations 2002 2002 21 duties
- THE ELECTRICITY SAFETY, QUALITY AND CONTINUITY REGULATIONS (NORTHERN IRELAND) 2012 2012 19 duties
Licence Holders also bound by 221 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Petroleum (Current Model Clauses) Order 1999 1999 317 duties
- The Petroleum Licensing (Exploration and Production) (Seaward and Landward Areas) Regulations 2004 2004 123 duties
- Human Medicines Regulations 2012 2012 76 duties
- Space Industry Regulations 2021 2021 68 duties
- The Petroleum (Production) (Landward Areas) Regulations 1991 1991 65 duties
Traders also bound by 826 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Value Added Tax Regulations 1995 1995 413 duties
- Companies Act 2006 2006 243 duties
- The Large and Medium-sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 2008 114 duties
- Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016 2016 62 duties
- Building Societies Act 1986 1986 56 duties
Any Person also bound by 2338 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Human Medicines Regulations 2012 2012 169 duties
- Merchant Shipping Act 1995 1995 144 duties
- Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016 2016 101 duties
- Road Traffic Act 1988 1988 95 duties
- Air Navigation Order 2016 2016 95 duties
Contractors also bound by 178 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- The National Health Service (Personal Medical Services Agreements) Regulations 2015 2015 137 duties
- The National Health Service (General Medical Services Contracts) Regulations 2015 2015 134 duties
- Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 2015 114 duties
- The National Health Service (General Medical Services Contracts) (Wales) Regulations 2023 2023 93 duties
- The Health and Personal Social Services (General Medical Services Contracts) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2004 2004 87 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
A person holding office as chairman or other member must...
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Ofgem members must remain impartial and independent Statutory regulator
(1) An appointment of a person to hold office as...
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Secretary of State must appoint Authority chairman/members for fixed terms with continuity Crown / Minister / Government department
Transitional provisions and savings
- Separate your electricity supply and distribution licences Trader
(1) The Secretary of State shall as soon as practicable...
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Secretary of State must make a scheme for existing combined generation/supply licences Crown / Minister / Government department
(1) It shall be the duty of each holder of...
- Provide information and assistance to the Secretary of State Licence Holder
(1) This paragraph applies where immediately before the commencement date...
- Make a scheme for deemed contract terms for tariff customers Distributor
(1) After the abolition of the offices of Director General...
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Authority must produce outstanding annual reports after abolition Statutory regulator
(1) A transfer scheme shall not take effect unless it...
- Provide information and assistance to the Secretary of State on transfer schemes Distributor
Browse 123 other Schedules — structural / supplementary
Electricity metering
The Gas and Electricity Markets Authority
(1) The Authority shall consist of a chairman, and no...
The Statutory Instruments Act 1946 shall apply to any power...
(1) The Authority has power to do anything which is...
(1) Subject to this Schedule, the chairman and other members...
(1) The Authority shall pay to the chairman and other...
The Authority may, with the approval of the Minister for...
(1) The Authority may establish committees and any committee of...
(1) The Authority may regulate its own procedure (including quorum)....
(1) The application of the seal of the Authority to...
(1) Anything authorised or required to be done by the...
The Gas and Electricity Consumer Council
(1) The Council shall consist of a chairman and such...
The Council may establish committees (in addition to the regional...
(1) The Council shall not establish or abolish a regional...
(1) A regional or other committee of the Council shall...
The Council may pay to the chairman and other members...
(1) If the Secretary of State so determines in the...
Anything authorised or required to be done by the Council...
The validity of anything done by the Council is not...
(1) The Council shall have power to do anything which...
(1) A person holding office as chairman or other member...
The Council shall pay to the chairman and other members...
(1) If the Secretary of State so determines in the...
(1) The Council shall, with the approval of the Secretary...
(1) As soon as practicable after the end of each...
It shall be the duty of the Council to comply...
(1) The Council shall prepare, in respect of each financial...
The Secretary of State shall pay to the Council such...
Further provision about transfers of functions, property etc.
In this Schedule— “transfer” means— a transfer of functions under...
(1) The property, rights and liabilities which may be transferred...
A transfer scheme may define the property, rights and liabilities...
A transfer scheme may include such supplementary, incidental, transitional and...
(1) If, after the day appointed by a transfer scheme,...
(1) Anything done by the transferor for the purpose of...
There may be continued by or in relation to the...
The transferee shall be substituted for the transferor in any...
(1) Where a person employed in the civil service of...
Schedule 7 to the 1989 Act (use etc. of electricity...
(1) For the expression “electricity supplier” in each place it...
(1) Paragraph 1 (consumption to be ascertained by appropriate meter)...
In paragraph 3 (offences relating to use of meter), after...
In paragraph 5(3) (certification without examination or testing of certain...
In paragraph 6 (apparatus for testing etc. meters)—
In paragraph 10 (meters to be kept in proper order)—...
In paragraph 12 (pre-payment meters) for sub-paragraph (2) there is...
Minor and consequential amendments
The Gas Act 1986 is amended as follows.
In section 27A(1) (determination of certain disputes) for “domestic customer”...
In section 28(5)(a) (circumstances in which the Authority may not...
In section 28 (orders for securing compliance with certain provisions),...
In section 33A (standards of performance in individual cases)—
In section 33C (information with respect to levels of performance),...
Section 33E (procedures for dealing with complaints) shall cease to...
In section 36(2) (keeping of register), in paragraph (c)—
In section 38 (power to require information etc.)—
In section 46(3), for “his authorised area” there is substituted...
In section 48(1) (interpretation of Part I)—
(1) In the following provisions, for “public gas transporter”, in...
In section 62, after subsection (2A) there is inserted—
In section 64(2) (orders) after “section” there is inserted “...
In section 66 (interpretation)— (a) after the definition of “the...
In Schedule 2B (the gas code), in paragraph 8—
The Electricity Act 1989 is amended as follows.
In section 12(7) (matters to which the Competition Commission is...
(1) Section 23 (determination of disputes) is amended as follows....
In section 25(5)(a) (circumstances in which the Authority may not...
In section 25 (orders for securing compliance with certain provisions),...
(1) Section 28 (power to require information etc.) is amended...
In section 5 (prohibition on unlicensed activities), in subsection (1)(a)...
(1) Section 29 (regulations relating to supply and safety of...
(1) Section 30 (electrical inspectors) is amended as follows.
In section 39 (standards of performance in individual cases)—
In section 40 (overall standards of performance)—
In section 42 (information with respect to levels of performance)—...
Section 42B (procedures for dealing with complaints) shall cease to...
(1) Section 44A (billing disputes) is amended as follows.
In section 59 (making of false statements etc.) in subsection...
(1) Section 64(1) (interpretation of Part I) is amended as...
In section 106(2) (regulations and orders), in paragraph (b), after...
In section 7 (licensing of public gas transporters), in subsections...
In section 111(1) (interpretation)— (a) after the definition of “Area...
(1) The Rights of Entry (Gas and Electricity Boards) Act...
Minor and consequential amendments
In Schedule 2 to the Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967 (departments...
(1) In Schedule 1 to the Superannuation Act 1972, in...
In Part II of Schedule 1 to the House of...
(1) The Insolvency Act 1986 is amended as follows.
In section 7B (general provisions about licences), subsection (4)(d) (which...
In section 7B(9)— (a) in paragraph (b)—
In section 15A (billing disputes)— (a) for “domestic customer” (in...
(1) Section 24 (modification references to Competition Commission) is amended...
Minor and consequential amendments
(1) This paragraph applies to any holder of an existing...
(1) This paragraph applies where any transfer effected by paragraph...
In this Part of this Schedule— “effective date” has the...
(1) For the purposes of this Part of this Schedule...
(1) This paragraph applies to any holder of an existing...
(1) The Secretary of State shall as soon as practicable...
(1) The Secretary of State shall as soon as practicable...
(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), a scheme under paragraph 13,...
(1) The Secretary of State may, before the day on...
(1) The Secretary of State may, before the day on...
(1) Before such date as the Secretary of State may...
(1) On the day on which a scheme under this...
The Secretary of State shall not exercise any function conferred...
Other transitional provisions and savings
Other transitional provisions and savings
(1) In this paragraph “the body” means the Authority .......
The Authority’s first forward work programme required by section 4(1)...
Other transitional provisions and savings
(1) If the supplier is a supplier to whom paragraph...
Other transitional provisions and savings
Other transitional provisions and savings
Other transitional provisions and savings
The Secretary of State may, on the application of a...
(1) Subject to the provisions of paragraph 7, on the...
(1) The provisions of Schedule 10 to the 1989 Act...
Any shares issued to the supplier or to an associate...
(1) This paragraph has effect for the purposes of any...
Repeals
Official guidance
Authoritative sources published by regulators or government explaining this legislation.
- Boiler Upgrade Scheme Privacy Notice - Property Owners | Ofgem (opens in a new tab) from Ofgem Detailed Guidance
- Boiler Upgrade Scheme Privacy Notice - Installers | Ofgem (opens in a new tab) from Ofgem Detailed Guidance
- 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) from DESNZ 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
- ... and 1 more
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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