| Guvnor

Enforced by: Ofgem, NSTA, The Crown Estate, Crown Estate Scotland, OPRED
Status: In Force
Penalty ceiling: Imprisonment 12 of 27 obligations carry up to 2 years imprisonment. 3 carry different penalties and 12 have no criminal penalty — flagged in the list below.

Does it bind you?

Business-side roles with duties under this instrument.

Any Person17 Licence Holder1 Operator1 Director or Officer1

Plus 7 duties on the regulator, Crown ministers and public bodies — folded into the section list below.

Other Acts binding the same actors

If a role above is yours, these are the other instruments that most often bind it.

Any Person — also bound by 2340 other Acts

Human Medicines Regulations 2012 184 duties

Merchant Shipping Act 1995 144 duties

Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016 104 duties

Communications Act 2003 92 duties

Road Traffic Act 1988 92 duties

Licence Holder — also bound by 225 other Acts

Petroleum (Current Model Clauses) Order 1999 318 duties

The Petroleum Licensing (Exploration and Production) (Seaward and Landward Areas) Regulations 2004 123 duties

Human Medicines Regulations 2012 83 duties

Space Industry Regulations 2021 68 duties

The Petroleum (Production) (Landward Areas) Regulations 1991 65 duties

Operator — also bound by 746 other Acts

Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 (Air Operations) 203 duties

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/2066 of 19 December 2018 on the monitoring and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions pursuant to Directive 2003/87/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council and amending Commission Regulation (EU) No 601/2012 (Text with EEA relevance) 121 duties

Commission Regulation (EU) No 601/2012 of 21 June 2012 on the monitoring and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions pursuant to Directive 2003/87/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (Text with EEA relevance) (repealed) 112 duties

Space Industry Regulations 2021 76 duties

Regulation (EU) 2016/429 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 2016 on transmissible animal diseases and amending and repealing certain acts in the area of animal health (‘Animal Health Law’) (Text with EEA relevance) 66 duties

Director or Officer — also bound by 429 other Acts

Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016 162 duties

Companies Act 2006 126 duties

Insolvency Act 1986 77 duties

The Large and Medium-sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 68 duties

Building Societies Act 1986 32 duties

What it requires

Sections creating concrete business duties or carrying penalties, grouped as the instrument is structured. Titles link to the source text — blue means you’re leaving for legislation.gov.uk.

Part 1

Gas Importation and Storage

8 of 43 sections shown

s.009 Offences relating to licences Prosecution

Breach energy licence conditions or give false informationAny Person

Unlimited fine

s.011 Failure to comply with a direction under section 10 Prosecution

Fail to comply with regulator's directionAny Person

Unlimited fine

s.017 Prohibition on unlicensed activities Regulated

Obtain a licence for carbon dioxide storage and explorationAny Person

s.022 Offence to carry on unlicensed activities Imprisonment

Operate without a required licenceAny Person

s.023 Offences relating to licences Imprisonment

Breach licence conditions or record‑keeping dutiesAny Person

s.025 Failure to comply with a direction under section 24 Imprisonment

Fail to comply with a direction under the Energy ActAny Person

s.029 Requirement for public register Regulated

Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator

Secretary of State must maintain a public register of energy licencesCrown / Minister / Government department

s.034 Cooperation with economic regulator Regulated

Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator

Licensing authorities must assist and inform carbon storage regulatorsLocal authority

35 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional

s.001 Exploitation of areas outside the territorial sea for gas importation and storage

s.002 Prohibition on unlicensed activities

s.003 Exception for activities carried on partly on land etc

s.003 Exception for unloading to an installation in certain circumstances

s.004 Licences

s.005 Applications

s.006 Terms and conditions

s.007 Model clauses

s.008 Offence to carry on unlicensed activities

s.010 OGA 's power of direction

s.012 Injunctions restraining breaches of section 2(1)

s.013 Inspectors

s.014 Criminal proceedings

s.015 Interaction with the petroleum licensing requirements

s.016 Chapter 2: interpretation

s.018 Licences

s.019 Requirements relating to grant of licences

s.020 Terms and conditions

s.021 Content of licences: regulations

s.024 Licensing authority's power of direction

s.026 Injunctions restraining breaches of section 17(1)

s.027 Inspectors

s.028 Criminal proceedings

s.029 OGA’s power to require information about change in control of licence holder

s.030 Abandonment of installations

s.030 Change of use relief for certain installations

s.030 Change of use relief: carbon storage network pipelines

s.030 Relief under sections 30A and 30B: supplementary

s.031 Termination of licence: regulations

s.032 Safety zones

s.033 Enhanced petroleum recovery: power to make orders

s.034 Power of Secretary of State etc to transfer functions

s.034 Information sharing with economic regulator

s.035 Chapter 3: interpretation

s.036 Chapters 2 and 3: consequential amendments

Part 2

Electricity from renewable sources

0 of 8 sections shown

8 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional

s.037 The renewables obligation

s.038 Section 37: supplemental provision

s.039 Existing savings relating to section 32 of the Electricity Act 1989

s.040 The Northern Ireland renewables obligation

s.041 Power to amend licence conditions etc: feed-in tariffs

s.042 Power to amend licence conditions etc: procedure

s.043 Feed-in tariffs: supplemental

s.044 Offshore electricity transmission

Part 3

Decommissioning of energy installations

10 of 33 sections shown

s.045 Duty to submit a funded decommissioning programme Regulated

Submit funded decommissioning programme for nuclear site licenceAny Person

s.045 Costs incurred in considering proposed programmes Regulated

Pay fees for the review of your decommissioning proposalAny Person

s.047 Prohibition on use of site in absence of approved programme Imprisonment

Use nuclear site without approved programmeAny Person

s.049 Procedure for modifying approved programme Regulated

Pay fee for decommissioning programme modification proposalsOperator

s.051 Time when modification takes effect Regulated

Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator

Secretary of State must specify when decommissioning changes take effectCrown / Minister / Government department

s.057 Offence to fail to comply with approved programme Imprisonment

Fail to comply with approved decommissioning programmeAny Person

s.059 Offence of further disclosure of information Imprisonment

Unauthorised further disclosure of regulated informationAny Person

s.060 Offence of supplying false information Imprisonment

Supply false or misleading information to the Secretary of StateAny Person

s.071 Provision of information to Secretary of State Imprisonment

Fail to comply with information notice from the Secretary of StateAny Person

s.075 Information about decommissioning of wells Imprisonment

Fail to comply with a de‑commissioning notice for a wellAny Person

23 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional

s.046 Approval of a programme

s.048 Modification of approved programme

s.050 Power to disapply section 49

s.052 Provision of information and documents

s.053 Power to review operation of programme

s.054 Nuclear decommissioning: regulations and guidance

s.055 Funded decommissioning programmes: verification of financial matters

s.056 Protection of security under approved programme

s.058 Secretary of State's power of direction

s.061 Restriction on prosecutions under this Chapter

s.062 Power to apply this Chapter to other nuclear installations

s.063 Co-operation with other public bodies

s.064 Continuity of obligations

s.065 Amendment of Nuclear Installations Act 1965

s.066 Disposal of hazardous material

s.067 Meaning of “ associated ”

s.067 Meaning of “associated”: supplementary

s.068 Interpretation

s.069 Decommissioning notices relating to offshore renewable energy installations

s.070 Security for decommissioning obligations

s.072 Persons who may be required to submit abandonment programmes

s.073 Financial resources etc

s.074 Protection of abandonment funds from creditors

Part 4

Provisions relating to oil and gas

2 of 7 sections shown

s.076 Transfers without the consent of the Secretary of State Imprisonment

Unauthorised disclosure of petroleum licence transfer informationAny Person

s.079 Modification of pipelines Prosecution

Fail to comply with a pipeline modification noticeAny Person

Unlimited fine

5 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional

s.077 Model clauses of petroleum licences

s.078 Third party access to infrastructure

s.080 Third party access to oil processing facilities

s.081 Directions under section 80: supplemental

s.082 Meaning of “associate”

Part 4

Works detrimental to navigation

2 of 18 sections shown

s.082 Determination of applications for consent under section 82A Regulated

Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator

Secretary of State must determine navigation consent applicationsCrown / Minister / Government department

s.082 Offences relating to consents Imprisonment

Make false statements or omit information to obtain consentAny Person

16 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional

s.082 Restriction of works detrimental to navigation

s.082 Applications for consent under section 82A

s.082 Authorised exploration or exploitation operations: consent conditions

s.082 Secretary of State's power of direction

s.082 Damage to, or changes in, the works: emergency safety notices

s.082 Emergency safety notices: supplementary provisions

s.082 Failure to comply with condition: immediate action notice

s.082 Carrying out operation without consent etc

s.082 Failure to comply with direction under section 82E

s.082 Failure to comply with notice under section 82F or 82H

s.082 Injunctions restraining breaches of section 82A(1)

s.082 Inspectors

s.082 Criminal proceedings

s.082 Fees

s.082 Power to extend the application of this Part

s.082 Interpretation of this Part

Part 5

Miscellaneous

5 of 24 sections shown

s.085 Section 84: procedure Regulated

Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator

Secretary of State must consult and publish energy licence modificationsCrown / Minister / Government department

s.091 Regulations under section 91A(1): further provision Regulated

Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator

Ofgem must follow strict tender and conflict-of-interest rules for smart metersStatutory regulator

s.091 Power under section 91C: procedure Regulated

Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator

Ofgem must consult and notify before modifying energy licencesStatutory regulator

s.100 Renewable heat incentives

amended 18 times (opens in a new tab)

s.101 Security of sensitive nuclear information

amended 2 times (opens in a new tab)

19 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional

s.083 Duties of the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority

s.084 Power to amend licence conditions etc: transmission systems

s.086 Section 84: supplemental

s.087 Energy reports

s.088 Power to amend licence conditions etc: smart meters

s.089 Power to amend licence conditions etc: procedure

s.090 Smart meters: supplemental

s.091 Licensing of activities relating to smart meters

s.091 Grant of smart meter communication licences

s.091 Power of Gas and Electricity Markets Authority to amend licence conditions etc

s.092 Gas meters

s.093 Section 92: consequential amendments

s.094 Power to amend licence conditions: gas

s.095 Electricity meters

s.096 Section 95: consequential amendments

s.097 Power to amend licence conditions: electricity

s.098 Costs connected with making an offer of connection

s.099 Electricity safety

s.102 Application of general duties to functions relating to licences

Part 6

General

7 of 11 sections shown

s.103 Offences by bodies corporate etc Imprisonment

Personal liability for directors and officers for company energy offencesDirector or Officer

2 years imprisonment · amended 1 time (opens in a new tab)

s.104 Subordinate legislation

amended 3 times (opens in a new tab)

s.105 Parliamentary control of subordinate legislation

amended 9 times (opens in a new tab)

s.107 Minor and consequential amendments

amended 5 times (opens in a new tab)

s.108 Repeals

amended 4 times (opens in a new tab)

s.109 Transitional provision etc

amended 1 time (opens in a new tab)

s.112 Extent

amended 2 times (opens in a new tab)

4 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional

s.106 Interpretation

s.110 Commencement

s.111 Financial provisions

s.113 Short title

Schedules

1 of 62 shown

s.003 Petroleum licences: amendments to model clauses Regulated

Provide and update contact details for petroleum license communicationsLicence Holder

61 other schedules

s.004 Smart meters: licensable activities

s.006 Repeals

s.sch001 Amendments relating to Chapters 2 and 3 of Part 1

s.sch001 The Food and Environment Protection Act 1985 is amended as...

s.sch001 In section 30 (persons who may be required to submit...

s.sch001 In section 44 (offshore installations)— (a) in subsection (3), after...

s.sch001 In section 47A (factors for the Secretary of State to...

s.sch001 In section 188 of the Energy Act 2004 (power to...

s.sch001 In section 7A (regulation of deposits made in the sea:...

s.sch001 In section 24 (interpretation)— (a) in subsection (1), after the...

s.sch001 (1) Section 21 of the Petroleum Act 1987 (automatic establishment...

s.sch001 In Article 3(1) of the Gas (Northern Ireland) Order 1996...

s.sch001 The Petroleum Act 1998 is amended as follows.

s.sch001 In section 11 (application of civil law)—

s.sch001 In section 13 (interpretation of Part 2), after the existing...

s.sch001 In section 28 (interpretation of Part 3), in the definition...

s.sch002 Property schemes

s.sch003 (1) Schedule 3 to the Petroleum (Production) (Landward Areas) Regulations...

s.sch003 (1) Part 2 of Schedule 10 (seaward production licences) is...

s.sch003 (1) Part 2 of Schedule 11 (seaward exploration licences) is...

s.sch003 (1) Part 2 of Schedule 12 (landward exploration licences) is...

s.sch003 (1) Part 2 of Schedule 13 (landward appraisal licences) is...

s.sch003 (1) Part 2 of Schedule 14 (landward development licences) is...

s.sch003 This Part of this Schedule amends the Petroleum Licensing (Exploration...

s.sch003 (1) Schedule 1 (exploration licences) is amended as follows.

s.sch003 (1) Schedule 2 (frontier areas: production licences without break clause)...

s.sch003 (1) Schedule 3 (frontier areas: production licences with break clause)...

s.sch003 (1) Schedule 4 (production licences for areas other than frontier...

s.sch003 This Part of this Schedule contains amendments to the Petroleum...

s.sch003 (1) Schedule 6 (exploration and development licences) is amended as...

s.sch003 (1) Part 2 of Schedule 2 (seaward production licences) is...

s.sch003 (1) Part 2 of Schedule 3 (landward production licences) is...

s.sch003 (1) Part 2 of Schedule 4 (landward production licences) is...

s.sch003 (1) Part 2 of Schedule 5 (seaward production licences) is...

s.sch003 (1) Part 2 of Schedule 6 (seaward production licences) is...

s.sch003 (1) Part 2 of Schedule 8 (landward development licences) is...

s.sch003 (1) Part 2 of Schedule 9 (seaward production licences) is...

s.sch004 After section 41H of the Gas Act 1986 (c. 44),...

s.sch004 After section 56F of the Electricity Act 1989 (c. 29)...

s.sch005 Minor and consequential amendments

s.sch005 In section 54 of the Pipe-lines Act 1962 (offences by...

s.sch005 In section 34 (revision of programmes)— (a) in subsection (2)(a),...

s.sch005 In section 45 (interpretation), in the definition of “submarine pipeline”...

s.sch005 The Utilities Act 2000 is amended as follows.

s.sch005 In section 33 (standard conditions of electricity licences), in subsection...

s.sch005 In section 81 (standard conditions of gas licences), in subsection...

s.sch005 In section 105 (general restrictions on disclosure of information)—

s.sch005 The Energy Act 2004 is amended as follows.

s.sch005 Omit section 105(9) (power to require provision of information in...

s.sch005 Omit section 107(5) to (7) (power to require provision of...

s.sch005 In section 132 (interpretation of Chapter 5 of Part 2),...

s.sch005 In section 64(2) of the Gas Act 1986 (orders) after...

s.sch005 In section 185 (adjustment of transmission charges), in subsection (14),...

s.sch005 In Schedule 13 (directions given to the Civil Nuclear Police...

s.sch005 In section 25 of the Electricity Act 1989 (orders for...

s.sch005 In section 47 of that Act (general functions of the...

s.sch005 In section 106 of that Act (regulations and orders), after...

s.sch005 In section 106(2)(b) of that Act (regulations and orders) for...

s.sch005 The Petroleum Act 1998 is amended as follows.

s.sch005 In section 5(9) (alteration of licences) for “an instrument under...

s.sch005 In section 31(1) (notices: supplementary provision) omit “(d) or”.

Help complying

Guvnor’s practical routes through this instrument.

Start a renewable energy business

Launch a renewable energy generation business (solar, wind, hydrogen, battery storage)

Diversify your farm business

Explore farm diversification opportunities - farm shops, holiday accommodation, renewable energy, equestrian facilities, event spaces, and rural business units

4 more guides that reference this instrument

Contracts for Difference (CfD) Development Consent Order (DCO) Get paid for renewable electricity you generate Install renewable energy on your farm

Connected legislation

Instruments made under this Act. They carry the detail the Act delegates.

The Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme (Amendment) Regulations 2015 SI 2015/143

The Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme (Amendment) Regulations 2018 SI 2018/610

The Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme and Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme (Amendment) Regulations 2020 SI 2020/650

The Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme and Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme (Amendment) Regulations 2021 SI 2021/76

The Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme and Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme (Amendment) Regulations 2022 SI 2022/159

The Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme Regulations 2014 SI 2014/928

The Energy Act 2008 (Commencement No. 5) Order 2010 SI 2010/1888

The Energy Act 2008 (Commencement No. 6) Order 2014 SI 2014/1461

The Energy Act 2008 (Consequential Modifications) (Offshore Environmental Protection) Order 2010 SI 2010/1513

The Feed-in Tariffs (Amendment) (Coronavirus) (No. 2) Order 2020 SI 2020/957

The Feed-in Tariffs (Amendment) (Coronavirus) Order 2020 SI 2020/375

The Feed-in Tariffs (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2014 SI 2014/2865

The Feed-in Tariffs (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2015 SI 2015/1659

The Feed-in Tariffs (Amendment) (No. 3) Order 2015 SI 2015/2045

The Feed-in Tariffs (Amendment) Order 2013 SI 2013/1099

The Feed-in Tariffs (Amendment) Order 2014 SI 2014/1601

The Feed-in Tariffs (Amendment) Order 2015 SI 2015/35

The Feed-in Tariffs (Amendment) Order 2016 SI 2016/319

The Feed-in Tariffs (Amendment) Order 2017 SI 2017/131

The Feed-in Tariffs (Amendment) Order 2023 SI 2023/127

Duty extraction and severity labels are Guvnor’s analysis of the instrument, not the instrument itself. Always verify against the linked source text.