Licences and licence conditions

This allows the licensee to:

• convey gas through pipes to any premises within an area authorised by the licence
• convey gas through pipes to any pipeline system operated by another gas transporter, or other pipeline system specified in the licence.

Gas transporter standard licence conditions

The following standard special conditions apply only to gas transporters with distribution networks and to National Gas Transmission Plc:

Standard special conditions part A

Standard special conditions part B

Standard special conditions part D

The following special conditions apply only to National Gas Transmission Plc:

National Transmission System Gas Transporter Licence part C special conditions

This 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
• making such an interconnector available for use for the conveyance of gas.

Gas interconnector standard licence conditions

This allows the licensee to arrange with a gas transporter for gas to be introduced into, conveyed through, or taken out of a pipeline system operated by that gas transporter. In all instances, the purpose of the gas movement should be general or for purposes connected with the supply of gas to premises.

Gas shipper standard licence conditions

This allows the licensee to supply gas to any premises through pipes. A gas supplier licence can allow supply to either domestic and non-domestic premises, or non-domestic premises only.

Gas supplier standard licence conditions

This allows the licensee to participate in the transmission of electricity for the purpose of enabling a supply to be given.

Electricity transmission standard licence conditions

There are also special conditions that only apply to named licensed companies.

• National Grid Electricity Transmission Plc special conditions
• Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission Plc special conditions
• SP Transmission Plc special conditions

This licence is granted to successful bidders under our offshore electricity transmission regime. It allows for the operation of offshore wind farms and the transmission of generated electricity via connections to the grid.

Each licence owner has its own licence and conditions.

Offshore Electricity Transmission (OFTO) section

This allows the licensee to distribute electricity for the purpose of enabling a supply to be given. Electricity is distributed from the national electricity transmission system  through a low voltage network of wires to customers.

Electricity distribution standard licence conditions

There are also amended standard conditions that apply only to independent network distribution operators.

Amended standard conditions for independent distribution network operators

This allows the licensee to participate in the operation of an electricity interconnector. This 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.

Electricity interconnector standard licence conditions

This allows the licensee to generate electricity for the purpose of giving a supply to any premises or enabling a supply to be given.

Electricity generation standard licence conditions

This 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.

Electricity supply standard licence conditions

The Department for Energy and Net Zero (DESNZ) set up the National Energy System Operator (NESO) in September 2024. NESO was granted an electricity system operator licence and gas system planner licence that started from 1 October 2024.

It is responsible for operating and planning the electricity transmission system and the strategic planning of the gas system.

Electricity system operator licence

Gas system planner licence

In September 2013, following the completion of a competitive procurement process, the then Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) granted the new Smart Meter Communication Licence to Smart DCC Limited, also known as the Data and Communications Company (or DCC).

As the owner of this licence, the DCC is responsible for providing the communications service that links gas and electricity smart meters in homes and small businesses across Great Britain with the systems of energy suppliers, network operators and energy service companies.

Smart meter communication licence conditions

The carbon dioxide transport and storage licence allows the licensed company to:

• operate a site for the disposal of carbon dioxide by way of geological storage 
• provide a service of transporting carbon dioxide by a licensable means of transportation

Net Zero North Sea Storage Limited and Liverpool Bay CCS Limited hold carbon dioxide transport and storage licences.

Read the carbon dioxide transport and storage licence and conditions on GOV.UK. 

Standard licence conditions apply to all licensed companies with a particular licence type. These can be in and out of effect for licensees.

Amended standard licence conditions are standard licence conditions that have been modified for an individual licensee.

Special conditions apply only to individual licensed companies. They form part of their licence alongside other conditions that apply to them.

The standard special conditions apply only to gas transporters with distribution networks and to National Grid Gas Plc.