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Apply for an energy licence

Find out if you need an energy licence and how to apply, including a licence transfer.

We issue licences to companies to operate in energy markets.

You need to apply for a licence if you want to:

  • generate, store, move (distribute, transmit or interconnect) or supply electricity
  • transport, arrange to transport or supply gas
  • transfer an energy licence to a different company

Check licensing exemptions

There are some situations when you may not need to have an energy licence.

You may not need a licence if you plan to:

  • generate less than 50 megawatts (MW) with a power station, wind or solar farm
  • distribute electricity on a commercial site and not to any homes, for instance at a factory
  • supply less than 5MW on a single site, including 2.5MW to homes

You're responsible for checking if an exemption applies to you. If not, you must apply for an individual exemption from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.

Read guidance about how to apply for an individual exemption on GOV.UK.

Check if you need to apply elsewhere

There are some situations when you have to go through a different process to operate.

You need to make a different application if you want to: 

Make your application

Get an application pack, including the form and guidance.

If you are applying to transfer a licence, you must provide all the information required for any application and satisfy the same requirements.

If you plan an innovative approach or service, get support from our team who support innovation before you apply by emailing innovationhub@ofgem.gov.uk.

Ask questions about the application process by emailing licensing@ofgem.gov.uk. We cannot advise you on completing your form.