Part 3: Regulation of Gas and Electricity Markets Commentary on Sections Section 17: Amendments of section 3A of the Electricity Act 1989 (c. 29)
87.This section amends the principal objective and general duties of the Secretary of State and Ofgem in section 3A of the Electricity Act 1989 in a similar manner to the amendment of section 4AA of the Gas Act 1986 by section 16.
88.The amendments clarify the relationship between the principal objective and the obligation to further this objective through the promotion of competition wherever appropriate. Subsection (2) separates the two by amending subsection 3A(1) of the Electricity Act 1989 to remove the reference to ‘promoting effective competition’. The reference to promoting competition is re-inserted in the new subsection (1B) (see subsection (3) of section 17) in which it is combined with the general duties in section 3A(2) as to how the Secretary of State and Ofgem are to carry out their functions) by subsection (3) (see paragraph 89 below).
89.Subsection (3) adds three additional subsections (1A, 1B and 1C) between subsections (1) and (2) of section 3A of the Electricity Act 1989 to clarify the interests of consumers and how the Secretary of State and Ofgem are to carry out their functions.
90.The new subsection (1A) of section 3A makes it clear that the interests of consumers include their interests in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions caused by the transmission, distribution, generation or supply of electricity, and their interests in a secure supply of electricity. Subsection (7) inserts a new subsection 3A(5B) which inserts definitions for the purposes of new subsection (1A), and adopts the meanings of some words used in the Climate Change Act 2008.
91.The new subsection (1B) closely follows the phrase that was removed from subsection 3A(1) by subsection (2) of section 17. It requires the Secretary of State or Ofgem to carry out their functions (in relation to the supply of electricity) in a way best calculated to protect the interests of consumers, using the promotion of competition to do so where that is appropriate.
92.The new subsection (1C) provides that when carrying out their functions the Secretary of State or Ofgem must consider:
	to what extent the interests of consumers are protected by actions focused on the promotion of competition, and
	if there are any other actions (whether or not they would promote competition) that might better protect the interests of consumers.
93.Subsections (4), (5), (6) and (8) make minor amendments to take account of the new subsections 3A(1A), 3A(1B) and 3A(1C). Subsection (4) also makes a minor amendment to ensure that any financial obligations which may be imposed under this Act are taken into account when the Secretary of State or the Authority are having regard to the need for licence holders to finance their activities.