The Utilities Act 2000 (Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2001
The new section 32 which is to be inserted into the Electricity Act 1989 (“the Electricity Act”) by section 62 of the Utilities Act 2000 (“the Utilities Act”) gives the Secretary of State power to make orders requiring electricity suppliers to produce to the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority (“the Authority”) evidence showing that they have supplied to customers in Great Britain a specified amount of electricity generated by using renewable sources. New section 32(7) of the Electricity Act requires the Secretary of State to consult certain specified persons before making such an order, including the electricity suppliers to whom the proposed order would apply. In relation to section 32(7) the Regulations enable the Secretary of State to begin the statutory consultation on an order made under new section 32 of the Electricity Act before section 30 of the Utilities Act has been commenced. The Regulations provide that consultation of those persons who hold electricity supply licences granted under the Electricity Act as it currently stands will be regarded as consultation falling within new section 32(7) of the Electricity Act.