The electricity market allows for exemptions from the requirements to hold generation, transmission, distribution and supply licenses. Sale of electricity to end consumers by an unlicensed supply company through an unlicensed distribution network is known as “private wire”. On these networks customers are unable to change supplier and government is considering amending the regulations to require third party access.
In practice, until the Department for Energy & Climate Change (DECC) decides whether to change the regulations and a revised exemption order, possibly not until 2010 or beyond, what can developments do to ensure that they are able to offer third party access if required? What is necessary? Does it just mean ensuring that electricity meters that are installed within the private wires meet the technical standards of the licensed distribution networks and the electricity market?
