LegalizeReform history
Energy Act 1976
6 versions
· 1976-11-22
2020-12-31
Energy Act 1976
Changes on 2020-12-31
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@
- (1) Her Majesty may by Order in Council declare the powers of sections 1 and 2 above exercisable to their fullest extent because either—
- (a) they are required for the implementation of obligations incumbent on the United Kingdom as a member of the European Union or the International Energy Agency or a party to the International Energy Agreement to take emergency measures in connection with the reduction, or threatened reduction, of fuel supplies; or
- (a) they are required for the implementation of obligations incumbent on the United Kingdom as a member of ... the International Energy Agency or a party to the International Energy Agreement to take emergency measures in connection with the reduction, or threatened reduction, of fuel supplies; or
- (b) there exists or is imminent in the United Kingdom an actual or threatened emergency affecting fuel or electricity supplies which makes it necessary in Her Majesty’s opinion that the government should temporarily have at its disposal exceptional powers for controlling the sources and availability of energy;
@@ -212,7 +212,7 @@
- (6) For the purposes of sections 8 to 10 companies are associated together in the same group if one is a subsidiary of the other or both are subsidiaries of a third (" subsidiary " having the same meaning as in the Companies Act 1948).
### Other measures for controlling energy sources and promoting economy
### Other measures for controlling energy sources and promoting economy : Secretary of State's functions
#### Disposal of gas by flaring, etc.
@@ -222,6 +222,12 @@
- (2) This section applies to all natural gas of the United Kingdom, whether obtained there or in territorial waters, or in areas designated under the Continental Shelf Act 1964, except gas conveyed through pipes to premises by a public gas transporterwithin the meaning of Part I of the Gas Act 1986
- (2A) Disposal of gas by flaring, or by releasing it unignited into the atmosphere, does not require consent under this section if consent—
- (a) is required under section 12A (disposal of gas by flaring etc: OGA's functions), or
- (b) would be required under that section but for subsection (3) of that section.
- (3) Disposal of gas by flaring does not require consent under this section—
- (a) if it is permitted under the terms of a production licence granted under United Kingdom legislation;
@@ -350,15 +356,15 @@
- (2) A person commits an offence if—
- (a) without reasonable excuse he contravenes or fails to comply with any provision made by this Act, or made under it by order, direction or otherwise (but subject to subsection (3) below in the case of sections . . . 9 and 12); or
- (a) without reasonable excuse he contravenes or fails to comply with any provision made by this Act, or made under it by order, direction or otherwise (but subject to subsection (3) below in the case of sections . . . 9, 12 and 12A); or
- (b) he wilfully obstructs any person exercising a power conferred, or performing a duty imposed, by or under this Act; or
- (c) he contravenes or fails to comply with any directly applicable EU obligation specified in Schedule 3 to this Act; or
- (c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- (d) in furnishing any information—
- (i) in purported compliance with such an EU obligation; or
- (i) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- (ii) for the purposes of this Act, or of an order made or direction given under it,
@@ -368,9 +374,9 @@
- (3) In respect of contraventions of, or failure to comply with—
- (a) any provision made by section . . . 9 or 12 of this Act; or
- (b) any condition of a consent given by the Secretary of State or the British Gas Corporation thereunder,
- (a) any provision made by section . . . 9, 12 or 12A of this Act; or
- (b) any condition of a consent given by the Secretary of State or the OGA or the British Gas Corporation thereunder,
criminal proceedings do not lie; but this is without prejudice to other methods of obtaining compliance with statutory obligations.
@@ -424,6 +430,8 @@
- “*natural gas*” means any gas derived from natural strata;
- “*the OGA*” means the Oil and Gas Authority;
- “*petroleum products*” means the following substances produced directly or indirectly from crude, that is to say, fuels, lubricants, bitumen, wax, industrial spirits and any wide-range substance (meaning a substance whose final boiling point at normal atmospheric pressure is more than 50°C higher than its initial boiling point);
- “*price controls*” means orders under section 1(4) of this Act and directions under section 2 imposing requirements as to price;
@@ -514,7 +522,7 @@
- (c) to furnish, as and when specified, information and forecasts relating to the undertaking itself or its activities, including the way in which the undertaking is organised and administered and the character and extent of its operations.
- (2) All the powers of this paragraph are exercisable by the Secretary of State where it appears to him expedient for the purpose of implementing obligations incumbent on the United Kingdom as a member of the European Union or the International Energy Agency or as a party to the International Energy Agreement, and the powers conferred by paragraphs (a) and (b) of sub-paragraph (1) are also exercisable where it appears to the Secretary of State expedient for any purpose connected with the operation of this Act or the effective performance by him of his functions under it.
- (2) All the powers of this paragraph are exercisable by the Secretary of State where it appears to him expedient for the purpose of implementing obligations incumbent on the United Kingdom as a member of ... the International Energy Agency or as a party to the International Energy Agreement, and the powers conferred by paragraphs (a) and (b) of sub-paragraph (1) are also exercisable where it appears to the Secretary of State expedient for any purpose connected with the operation of this Act or the effective performance by him of his functions under it.
- (3) In this paragraph “*specified*” means specified by the Secretary of State’s directions.
@@ -644,7 +652,7 @@
- (b) for the purpose of the exercise of any of its functions, to a government department (including a department of the government of Northern Ireland);
- (c) to any institution of the European Union , or to the International Energy Agency, in pursuance of obligations incumbent on the United Kingdom to transmit the information or see to its transmission;
- (c) ... to the International Energy Agency, in pursuance of obligations incumbent on the United Kingdom to transmit the information or see to its transmission;
- (d) in the form of statistics or otherwise, so that it cannot readily be recognised as relating to any particular person or undertaking;
@@ -708,7 +716,7 @@
The Interpretation Act 1889 continues to apply to the interpretation of the orders set out in this Part (other than those to which there is applied the Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954) as it applies to the interpretation of an Act of Parliament and for the purposes of section 38 of that Act the orders are deemed to be Acts of Parliament.
#### Reserve power to control by government directions.
#### General control by order.
##### 5
@@ -754,7 +762,7 @@
and any other EEC Council Regulation made for the same or similar purposes which has been added to this Schedule by Order in Council or regulations under section 2(2) of the European Communities Act 1972.
The Fuel and Electricity (Heating) (Control) Order 1974.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
### Orders under section 2
@@ -886,18 +894,6 @@
[^c7248771]: [Sch. 2 para. 8](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1976/76/schedule/2/paragraph/8) amended (1.4.1992) by [S.I. 1992/231](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1992/231)(N.I. 1), art. 38(7); [S.R. 1992/117](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisr/1992/117), [art. 3(1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisr/1992/117/article/3/1).
[^c7248781]: O.J. L120/3
[^c7248791]: O.J. L120/7
[^c7248801]: O.J. L32/1
[^c7248811]: O.J. L349/1
[^c7248821]: O.J. L45/1
[^c7248831]: [1972 c. 68](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1972/68).
[^c7248841]: The text of Sch. 4 Pt. 1 is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.
[^c7248851]: [1973 c. 67](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1973/67).
@@ -926,10 +922,6 @@
[^key-2b0e08783b5ba6138ed6073cd56c6932]: Words in [Sch. 2 para. 6(4)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1976/76/schedule/2/paragraph/6/4) repealed (12.4.2010) by [Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002 (c. 26)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2002/26), [s. 87(1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2002/26/section/87/1), [Sch. 13](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2002/26/schedule/13); [S.R. 2010/113](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisr/2010/113), [art. 2](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisr/2010/113/article/2), [Sch. para. 21(g)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisr/2010/113/schedule/paragraph/21/g)
[^key-4ac9f8354c9bd27b8b617d8d61ccbc97]: Words in Act substituted (22.4.2011) by [The Treaty of Lisbon (Changes in Terminology) Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/1043)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2011/1043), [arts. 2](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2011/1043/article/2), [3](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2011/1043/article/3), [4](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2011/1043/article/4) (with [art. 3(2)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2011/1043/article/3/2)[(3)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2011/1043/article/3/3)[4(2)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2011/1043/article/4/2)[6(4)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2011/1043/article/6/4)[(5)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2011/1043/article/6/5))
[^key-29a87724f3d4043d639b18de7274c876]: Words in Act substituted (22.4.2011) by [The Treaty of Lisbon (Changes in Terminology) Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/1043)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2011/1043), [arts. 2](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2011/1043/article/2), [3](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2011/1043/article/3), [6](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2011/1043/article/6) (with [art. 3(2)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2011/1043/article/3/2)[(3)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2011/1043/article/3/3)[4(2)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2011/1043/article/4/2)[6(4)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2011/1043/article/6/4)[(5)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2011/1043/article/6/5))
[^key-bd1c3d5e9e4a9f7256a56bb037d3589b]: S. 14 omitted (25.6.2013) by virtue of [Growth and Infrastructure Act 2013 (c. 27)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2013/27), [ss. 18(1)(a)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2013/27/section/18/1/a), [35(3)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2013/27/section/35/3)
[^key-df05f7184985313cc0744bc71b8a61c5]: [S. 19(2)(b)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1976/76/section/19/2/b) omitted (25.6.2013) by virtue of [Growth and Infrastructure Act 2013 (c. 27)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2013/27), [ss. 18(1)(b)(i)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2013/27/section/18/1/b/i), [35(3)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2013/27/section/35/3)
@@ -937,3 +929,65 @@
[^key-7bc2017b1c63f6ee8001f2219b07da93]: Words in [s. 19(2)(c)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1976/76/section/19/2/c) omitted (25.6.2013) by virtue of [Growth and Infrastructure Act 2013 (c. 27)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2013/27), [ss. 18(1)(b)(ii)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2013/27/section/18/1/b/ii), [35(3)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2013/27/section/35/3)
[^key-759e897592b635e3895c74c1ee081b8f]: S. 9 omitted (26.5.2015) by virtue of [Deregulation Act 2015 (c. 20)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2015/20), [s. 115(3)(r)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2015/20/section/115/3/r), [Sch. 23 para. 16](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2015/20/schedule/23/paragraph/16)
[^key-87b5843c1f10c7cee0fac73f16b98a53]: S. 12(2A) inserted (1.10.2016) by [Energy Act 2016 (c. 20)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2016/20), [s. 84(3)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2016/20/section/84/3), [Sch. 1 para. 2(2)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2016/20/schedule/1/paragraph/2/2); [S.I. 2016/920](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2016/920), [reg. 2(a)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2016/920/regulation/2/a)
[^key-08e490e4da1a99ba07ae45bf52bae437]: Ss. 12A, 12B inserted (1.10.2016) by [Energy Act 2016 (c. 20)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2016/20), [s. 84(3)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2016/20/section/84/3), [Sch. 1 para. 3](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2016/20/schedule/1/paragraph/3); [S.I. 2016/920](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2016/920), [reg. 2(a)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2016/920/regulation/2/a)
[^key-394f0ac9d1f492cca6bc9b2eeb1c6698]: Words in cross-heading inserted (1.10.2016) by [Energy Act 2016 (c. 20)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2016/20), [s. 84(3)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2016/20/section/84/3), [Sch. 1 para. 2(3)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2016/20/schedule/1/paragraph/2/3); [S.I. 2016/920](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2016/920), [reg. 2(a)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2016/920/regulation/2/a)
[^key-8acea1e58801098a61c21bae269e1200]: Words in s. 18(2)(a) substituted (1.10.2016) by [Energy Act 2016 (c. 20)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2016/20), [s. 84(3)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2016/20/section/84/3), [Sch. 1 para. 4(2)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2016/20/schedule/1/paragraph/4/2); [S.I. 2016/920](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2016/920), [reg. 2(a)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2016/920/regulation/2/a)
[^key-8210832a8e64c46d7c26445afe15901d]: Words in s. 18(3)(a) substituted (1.10.2016) by [Energy Act 2016 (c. 20)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2016/20), [s. 84(3)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2016/20/section/84/3), [Sch. 1 para. 4(3)(a)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2016/20/schedule/1/paragraph/4/3/a); [S.I. 2016/920](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2016/920), [reg. 2(a)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2016/920/regulation/2/a)
[^key-85c06b0ee46596c754ead8890643f177]: Words in s. 18(3)(b) inserted (1.10.2016) by [Energy Act 2016 (c. 20)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2016/20), [s. 84(3)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2016/20/section/84/3), [Sch. 1 para. 4(3)(b)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2016/20/schedule/1/paragraph/4/3/b); [S.I. 2016/920](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2016/920), [reg. 2(a)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2016/920/regulation/2/a)
[^key-98403044471358e813965cabe7ad55d8]: Words in [s. 21](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1976/76/section/21) inserted (1.10.2016) by [Energy Act 2016 (c. 20)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2016/20), [s. 84(3)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2016/20/section/84/3), [Sch. 1 para. 5](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2016/20/schedule/1/paragraph/5); [S.I. 2016/920](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2016/920), [reg. 2(a)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2016/920/regulation/2/a)
[^key-08380986d13637ff33519c5f9f254d3a]: [Sch. 3](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1976/76/schedule/3) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of [The Electricity and Gas etc. (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/530)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2019/530), [regs. 1(1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2019/530/regulation/1/1), [6](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2019/530/regulation/6); [2020 c. 1](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2020/1), [Sch. 5 para. 1(1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2020/1/schedule/5/paragraph/1/1)
[^key-9d50ead85b6fdf26a8f3fc0545f7919d]: Words in [s. 3(1)(a)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1976/76/section/3/1/a) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of [The Electricity and Gas etc. (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/530)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2019/530), [regs. 1(1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2019/530/regulation/1/1), [3](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2019/530/regulation/3); [2020 c. 1](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2020/1), [Sch. 5 para. 1(1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2020/1/schedule/5/paragraph/1/1)
[^key-6ca6ecae81ba7751508de678f1ea6017]: [S. 18(2)(c)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1976/76/section/18/2/c) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of [The Electricity and Gas etc. (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/530)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2019/530), [regs. 1(1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2019/530/regulation/1/1), [4(a)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2019/530/regulation/4/a); [2020 c. 1](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2020/1), [Sch. 5 para. 1(1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2020/1/schedule/5/paragraph/1/1)
[^key-b19790356f96fbd09c1f5135c3af4f6f]: [S. 18(2)(d)(i)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1976/76/section/18/2/d/i) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of [The Electricity and Gas etc. (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/530)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2019/530), [regs. 1(1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2019/530/regulation/1/1), [4(b)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2019/530/regulation/4/b); [2020 c. 1](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2020/1), [Sch. 5 para. 1(1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2020/1/schedule/5/paragraph/1/1)
[^key-1511f5dec1cd54ae80ae6a0fb815ae2d]: Words in [Sch. 2 para. 1(2)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1976/76/schedule/2/paragraph/1/2) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of [The Electricity and Gas etc. (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/530)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2019/530), [regs. 1(1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2019/530/regulation/1/1), [5(2)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2019/530/regulation/5/2); [2020 c. 1](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2020/1), [Sch. 5 para. 1(1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2020/1/schedule/5/paragraph/1/1)
[^key-bf642b52afe361b2cc11aee6b7ffd8c2]: Words in [Sch. 2 para. 7(c)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1976/76/schedule/2/paragraph/7/c) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of [The Electricity and Gas etc. (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/530)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2019/530), [regs. 1(1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2019/530/regulation/1/1), [5(3)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2019/530/regulation/5/3); [2020 c. 1](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2020/1), [Sch. 5 para. 1(1)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2020/1/schedule/5/paragraph/1/1)
##### 12A
- (1) The OGA's consent is required for natural gas to be disposed of (whether at source or elsewhere)—
- (a) by flaring, or by releasing it unignited into the atmosphere, from anything that for the purposes of section 82(1) of the Energy Act 2011 is a relevant oil processing facility or a relevant gas processing facility, or
- (b) by releasing it unignited into the atmosphere in connection with activities carried out under a licence granted under—
- (i) section 3 of the Petroleum Act 1998, or
- (ii) section 2 of the Petroleum (Production) Act 1934.
- (2) This section applies to all natural gas of the United Kingdom, whether obtained there or in territorial waters, or in areas designated under the Continental Shelf Act 1964, except gas conveyed through pipes to premises by a gas transporter within the meaning of Part 1 of the Gas Act 1986.
- (3) Disposal of gas does not require consent under this section if—
- (a) it is necessary in order to reduce or avoid the risk of injury to any person,
- (b) the risk could not reasonably have been foreseen in time to reduce or avoid it otherwise than by means of the disposal, and
- (c) it was not reasonably practicable to obtain consent under this section in the time available.
- (4) A person who disposes of gas in cases where the consent of the OGA would have been required but for subsection (3) must inform the OGA of that disposal as soon as practicable after the disposal takes place.
- (5) The OGA's consent under this section—
- (a) may be given only by reference to particular cases, and
- (b) may be made subject to conditions which may, in particular, be framed by reference to the description or origin of the gas, or the quantities to be disposed of.
##### 12B
- (1) The requirements imposed by subsections (1) and (4) of section 12A are to be treated for the purposes of Chapter 5 of Part 2 of the Energy Act 2016 (power of the OGA to impose sanctions) as petroleum-related requirements.
- (2) But the OGA may not give an enforcement notice, a revocation notice or an operator removal notice under that Chapter by virtue of this section.
2015-05-26
Energy Act 1976
2013-06-25
Energy Act 1976
2011-04-22
Energy Act 1976
2005-01-19
Energy Act 1976
1976-11-22
Energy Act 1976
original version
Text at this date