The Gas Act 1986 (as amended) and The Electricity Act 1989 (as amended) (the Acts) prohibit certain activities unless the person carrying on that activity is licensed, exempt from the requirement for a licence, or eligible (under the Gas Act only) for an exception to the prohibition on unlicensed activities.
Further details about each of the licensed activities are below. If you want to carry out any of the activities below and are neither exempt or excepted you must apply for a licence. For details on how to apply, please see our Applications page.
Gas
Transportation Licence:
Allows the licensee to convey gas through pipes to premises, or to another system of pipelines operated by another GT. Companies conveying gas must be licensed.
The licence allows the GT to:
- convey gas through pipes to any premises within an area authorised by the licence; or
- convey gas through pipes to any pipe-line system operated by another GT, or other pipe-line system specified in the licence.
Cannot be held in conjunction with any of the following licences:
- Gas Supplier
- Gas Shipper
- Gas Interconnector
Interconnector Licence:
Allows the licensee to participate in the operation of a gas interconnector which is defined as:
- co-ordinating and directing the conveyance of gas into or through a gas interconnector; or
- making such an interconnector available for use for the conveyance of gas.
Cannot be held in conjunction with any other type of gas licence.
Shipper Licence:
Allows the licensee to arrange with a GT for gas to be introduced into, conveyed through, or taken out of a pipeline system operated by that GT. In all instances, the purpose of the gas movement should be general or for purposes connected with the supply of gas to premises.
Cannot be held in conjunction with any of the following licences:
- Gas Transporter
- Gas Interconnector
Supplier Licence:
Allows the licensee to supply to any premises gas, which has been conveyed to those premises through pipes. A gas suppliers licence can allow for supply to either:
- domestic and non-domestic premises, or
- non-domestic premises only.
Cannot be held in conjunction with any of the following licences:
- Gas Transporter
- Gas Interconnector
Electricity
Generation Licence:
Allows the licensee to generate electricity for the purpose of giving a supply to any premises or enabling a supply to be given.
Cannot be held in conjunction with an Electricity Interconnector Licence.
Transmission Licence:
Allows the licensee to participate in the transmission of electricity for the purpose of enabling a supply to be given.
Cannot be held in conjunction with an Electricity Interconnector Licence.
Interconnector Licence:
Allows the licensee to participate in the operation of an electricity interconnector. Participating in the operation on an electricity interconnector is defined as:
- co-ordinating and directing the flow of electricity into or through an electricity interconnector, or
- making such an interconnector available for use for the conveyance of electricity.
Cannot be held in conjunction with any other electricity licence.
Distribution Licence:
Allows the licensee to distribute electricity for the purpose of enabling a supply to be given. Electricity is distributed from the National Grid Network through a low voltage network of wires to customers.
Cannot be held in conjunction with any of the following licences:
- Electricity Supply
- Electricity Interconnector
Supply Licence:
Allows the licensee to supply electricity to premises. An electricity supply licence can be for supply to either:
- domestic and non-domestic premises, or
- non-domestic premises only.
Cannot be held in conjunction with any of the following licences:
- Electricity Distribution
- Electricity Interconnector