Department of Enterprise, Trade and

Investment

THE ENERGY (NORTHERN IRELAND) ORDER 2003

(S.I. No. 2003/419 (N.I.6))

Notice is hereby given that in exercise of the power conferred on Her by paragraph 1(1) of the Schedule to the Northern Ireland Act 2000 (c.1), Her Majesty has made the Energy (Northern Ireland) Order 2003. The Energy Order addresses priority energy issues in Northern Ireland. It strengthens the current energy regulatory and consumer representation arrangements by creating a new Northern Ireland Authority for Energy Regulation and a new energy group within the General Consumer Council for Northern Ireland. Both the Authority and the Council are given enhanced functions and powers to enable them to fulfil their new roles. The Order facilitates the extension of the existing gas transmission network by enabling gas conveyance charges to be equalised through a process called “postalisation”. It makes important changes to the existing electricity and gas licensing arrangements. The Order also enables the imposition of a “renewable obligation” on Northern Ireland electricity suppliers to require them to supply a specified proportion of their electricity from renewable sources.

Copies of the Order may be purchased from the Stationery Office Bookshop, 16 Arthur Street, Belfast BT1 4GD.

Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Energy Division, Netherleigh, Massey Avenue, Belfast BT4 2JP.